Paula Davis
| Paula Pellerin Davis | |
 | |
Louisiana State Representative for District 69 (East Baton Rouge Parish)
| |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 11, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Erich Ponti |
|---|---|
| Born | November 25, 1973 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | John Davis |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
Paula Pellerin Davis (born November 25, 1973)[1] is a commercial real estate agent with Waters & Pettit from the capital city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who is a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for East Baton Rouge Parish.[2]
Davis won the District 69 House position in the runoff election held on November 21, 2015 over fellow Republican Ryan Eugene Heck (born April 1978).[3] She also won the special election to fill the remaining six weeks of the unexpired term[4] of Republican former Representative Erich Ponti, who resigned the seat in June 2015. Davis led Heck in the primary by only eighty-two votes. Thereafter, Davis received 6,679 votes (55.3 percent) to Heck's 5,400 (44.7 percent).[4]
A Louisiana native originally from Breaux Bridge, Davis has resided in Baton Rouge since 1990. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Louisiana State University. She is a Fellow of the LSU School of Government and graduate of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy. Davis is married to John Davis, a lawyer in Baton Rouge. She has a daughter, Hayden. She is Episcopalian.[5]
In addition to being a commercial real estate agent, Davis has been an active member within the Baton Rouge non-profit community, serving as 2017 President of the Baton Rouge Symphony League, Co-Chair of the 2016 Baton Rouge Symphony League Madhatters fundraiser, and Co-Chair of the 2015 Manship Theatre's 10th Anniversary fundraiser.[6] Davis currently serves on the Board of Directors for The ARC of Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Arts and Science Museum, and the LSU Ogden Honors College.
Davis handily won a second legislative term in the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 12, 2019. She polled 10,892 votes (79 percent) to 2,924 (21 percent) for the Libertarian Ryan Chase Lee.[7]
Legislative Ratings and Awards
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) recognized Davis as a “Most Valuable Policymaker” for her stance on bills heard during the 2020 regular session and first special session that impact Louisiana’s economy, business climate, and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] Also, the American Conservative Union Foundation (ACUF), host of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), honored Davis with the Award for Conservative Excellence for her voting record in support of limited and transparent government, individual rights, personal responsibility, and lasting cultural values.[9]
Davis was recognized as a 2016-2020 Term All-Star by LABI for scoring 90% or higher on positive, pro-growth legislation.[10] On key small, independent, and family-run business issues during the 2016 legislative year, Davis was rated 100% by the National Federation of Independent Business.[11] Based on her positions and record during her first four-year term (2016-2020), the NFIB Louisiana PAC endorsed Davis for reelection.[12] Louisiana Right to Life gave Davis a score of 96% for her support of pro-life legislation during the 2016-2020 Legislative Term.[13] In 2017, the conservative Louisiana Family Forum scored Davis 90% and named her a Family Advocate for her commitment to advancing life, liberty, and limited government.[14]
In 2018, Davis was named "Legislator of the Year" by the Southwest Louisiana Chamber of Commerce for her pro-business voting record.[15] She has also been recognized for her effectiveness including receipt of the Chamber Southwest Louisiana Business Champion Award, Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association Legislative Ally Award, New Light Baptist Church Community Volunteer Award, Louisiana Hospital Association Legislative Champion Award, Louisiana Orthopedic Association Legislative Champion Award, LSU Foundation Greek Excellence Award, Louisiana Counseling Association Advocacy Award, and Louisiana Appleseed Pro Bono Award.
Legislative Leadership
For the 2020-2024 legislative term, Davis has been appointed by the Speaker of the House as Chair of the House Commerce Committee.[16] She is also a member of the House Executive Committee, House Select Leadership Committee, Joint Select Committee on Louisiana Economic Recovery, Capital Region Legislative Delegation, Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus and Louisiana Republican Legislative Delegation.[17] During her prior four-year term, Davis was a member of four legislative committees: Ways and Means; Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay; Insurance; and Municipal, Parochial, and Cultural Affairs.[18]
Davis joins Democrats to elect House Speaker
On January 13, 2020, Davis was among twenty-three Republican lawmakers, 35 Democratic lawmakers, and two Independents, known as the Louisiana Republican Fraud Squad, who elected Republican Clay Schexnayder of Ascension Parish as Speaker of the House. In 2016, Davis was involved in electing former Rep. Taylor Barras as the first independent Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, bucking the legislature's tradition of supporting the governor's chosen leader.
Conservative radio commentator Moon Griffon calls Davis, because of her support for tax increases and moderate policy positions, "Paula Pelosi Davis," a reference to the leftist former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Davis' own RINO tendencies. Davis will run for state House Speaker in the new term beginning in January 2024.[19]
Conservatives declined to challenge Davis in the October 14, 2023 primary. She will hence run unopposed for her third legislative term.
References
- ↑ Paula Davis. Mylife.com. Retrieved on September 12, 2017.
- ↑ http://www.waterspettit.com/team
- ↑ Ryan Heck, April 1978. Louisiana Secretary of State. Retrieved on November 29, 2015.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Results for Election Date: 11/21/2015. Louisiana Secretary of State. Retrieved on November 29, 2015.
- ↑ Paula Davis Bio. Baton Rouge Republican Women. Retrieved on November 29, 2015.
- ↑ http://www.waterspettit.com/team
- ↑ Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 12, 2019.
- ↑ https://www.labi.org/score-card
- ↑ http://acuratings.conservative.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/09/CLA_Louisiana_2019_web-2.pdf
- ↑ https://www.labi.org/score-card
- ↑ https://www.nfib.com/assets/Louisiana2017_VR.pdf
- ↑ https://www.nfib.com/content/analysis/elections/nfib-louisiana-pac-endorsements/
- ↑ https://prolifelouisiana.org/2016-19housescorecard
- ↑ https://www.lafamilyforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017Scorecard-1pgr-14in-corrected1_house.jpg
- ↑ https://www.allianceswla.org/news/2018/08/24/sample/davis-named-2018-legisgator-of-the-year-13-others-honored/
- ↑ https://house.louisiana.gov/H_Cmtes/Commerce
- ↑ https://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members?ID=69
- ↑ https://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/165576/paula-davis#.W_jFqHpKjOQ
- ↑ The Moon Griffon Show, March 17, 2023.
