Austin Davis (politician)

Austin Davis is an American politician serving as a Democratic State Representative representing the 35th District of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Austin Davis
Davis in 2021
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 35th district
Assumed office
February 5, 2018
Preceded byMarc Gergely
Personal details
Born (1989-10-04) October 4, 1989
McKeesport, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)
Blayre Holmes
​
(m. 2017)​
EducationUniversity of Pittsburgh (BA)
WebsiteCampaign website

Early life

While in high school, Davis founded and served as Chairman of the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council under then McKeesport Mayor, James Brewster.[1] After graduating high school, he attended the University of Pittsburgh where he earned a degree in Political Science.

Political career

While in college, Austin was hired as a Legislative Intern by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. At the age of 21, the Tribune Review called him "a veteran at the politics of helping others."[2]

Davis previously served as executive assistant to Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. In 2014 Davis became the youngest and the first black vice chair at the Allegheny County Democratic Committee.[3]

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Davis ran for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 35th district in a 2018 special election.[4][5] Davis defeated Republican candidate Fawn Walker-Montgomery with over 73% of the vote and became the first African American to serve as State Representative for the district.[6]

Lieutenant Governor campaign
Main article: 2022 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election § Democratic primary

On December 14, 2021, it was reported that Davis would enter the 2022 race for Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, after being selected by presumptive Democratic gubernatorial nominee Josh Shapiro to be his running mate.[7] Pennsylvania law requires that a lieutenant gubernatorial candidate must run independent of the gubernatorial candidate in the primary.

Committee Assignments
  • Appropriations[8]
  • Consumer Affairs[8]
  • Insurance[8]
  • Transportation[8]

Philanthropy

Davis has served on the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh,[9] The Consortium for Public Education, Communities in Schools of Pittsburgh,[10] Auberle, Adonai Center for Black Males, Small Seeds Development, and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Charter School.[3]

Personal life

Davis met his wife, Blayre Holmes, at the August Wilson Center in 2012.  The two were married September 1, 2017.  They live in his lifelong hometown of McKeesport, Pennsylvania.

References
  1. Bowling, Brian (September 27, 2007). "East Young Achiever: Austin Davis". TribLIVE.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  2. DiVittorio, Michael (February 7, 2011). "BLACK HISTORY MONTH: At 21, Davis is a veteran at the politics of helping others". TribLIVE.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  3. Daniels, Melissa (November 26, 2014). "Davis becomes 1st African-American to be named vice chair of Allegheny County Democratic Committee". TribLIVE.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  4. "Democrat wins special election for state House seat in Western Pa". York Daily Record. January 23, 2018. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  5. "Democrat Davis wins Pa. House's 35th District to fill Gergely's seat". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 23, 2018. Archived from the original on January 24, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  6. "January 23, 2018 Special Election Results". Allegheny County. Retrieved August 13, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. Caruso, Stephen (December 14, 2021). "W.Pa. Rep. Austin Davis to enter Pa. Lt. Gov race with Dem Josh Shapiro's backing". Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  8. "Representative Austin A. Davis". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  9. "Meet Pittsburgh YMCA Leadership and Staff". www.pittsburghymca.org. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  10. "Board - Communities in Schools of Pittsburgh - Allegheny County". cispac.org. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
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