Andy Davis (Arkansas politician)
| Mark Andrew "Andy" Davis | |
 | |
Arkansas State Representative
for District 31 | |
| In office January 2013 – January 2021 | |
| Preceded by | David J. Sanders |
|---|---|
| Succeeded by | Keith Brooks |
| Born | May 28, 1975 Little Rock, Arkansas |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Haley Melissa Reed Davis |
| Children | Three children |
| Residence | Roland, Pulaski County, Arkansas |
| Alma mater | Joe T. Robinson High School University of Arkansas |
| Occupation | Engineer, Businessman, Builder |
| Religion | Southern Baptist |
Mark Andrew Davis, known as Andy Davis (born May 28, 1975)[1][2] is a businessman and an engineer from rural Roland in Pulaski County, Arkansas, who is a Republican former state representative for District 31 in adjoining Pulaski and Saline counties.
Davis is a native of the capital city of Little Rock. His grandfather was a fire chief in Little Rock. Davis graduated from Joe T. Robinson High School, named for U.S. Senator Joseph Taylor Robinson (1872–1937), the vice-presidential running-mate in 1928 of Al Smith of New York City. After three years of study at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, he transferred to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, from which he received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Civil Engineering in 1999 and 2001, respectively. He is a member of the Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers. Since 2003, he has operated his business, New Water Systems, LLC. He is also a licensed builder.[3]
Davis is married to the former Haley Melissa Reed (born 1977), a native of Marianna in Lee County in eastern Arkansas, whom he met at the University of Arkansas. The couple has three children and are members of the Parkway Place Baptist Church. Mrs. Davis is a teacher in the Baptist school system.[3]
Until his election to the legislature in 2012, Davis had not held public office. He succeed Representative David J. Sanders, a fellow Republican who was elected to the state Senate. In his last legislative session, Davis served on these House committees: (1) Public Transportation, (2) Aging, Children and Youth, (3) Legislative and Military Affairs. He was the vice chairman of the House Rules Committee.[4]
In his initial election to the House in 2012, Davis defeated the Democratic nominee, Tommy Formicola, 9,575 votes (67.6 percent) to 4,599 (32.4 percent). In 2014, he won with 68.5 percent of the vote over the Democrat Clea Hupp. In 2018, he defeated Democrat Randy Haun, 9,676 (67.3 percent) to 4,707 (32.8 percent). He did not seek a fifth term in 2020.[5]
In 2013, as a freshman member, Davis voted with the Republican majority in both houses of the Arkansas General Assembly to override the veto of Democratic then Governor Mike Beebe regarding two anti-abortion bills. One forbids abortion after twenty weeks of gestation; the other prohibits abortion once fetal heartbeat is detected. Davis also voted to override Beebe's veto of legislation to require photo identification for casting a ballot in Arkansas. Davis co-sponsored legislation to permit the staff of religious institutions to engage in the concealed carry of firearms to insure safety. He also backed similar legislation to allow the staff of state universities to be armed.[2]
Davis is formerly among the "40 Under 40 of Arkansas Business," a recognition of forty Arkansans under the age of forty.[3]
After leaving the house, Davis was appointed by Attorney General Leslie Rutledge to work on legislative redistricting in 2021.[6]
References
- ↑ Mark Andrew Davis. Mylife.com. Retrieved on February 20, 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Andy Davis' Voting Records. votesmart.org. Retrieved on February 20, 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Andy Davis Republican Candidate for Arkansas House of Representatives District 31. davisforstaterep.com. Retrieved on December 13, 2013; material no longer on-line.
- ↑ Andy Davis. Ballotpedia. Retrieved on February 20, 2021.
- ↑ Arkansas House of Representatives District 31. Ballotpedia. Retrieved on February 20, 2021.
- ↑ Attorney General Rutledge announces redistrict team. arkansasag.gov (January 19, 2021). Retrieved on February 20, 2021.
