Donald G. Davis
Encyclopedia
Donald G. Davis is an American politician who was elected to one term in the North Carolina Senate
in 2008, representing Pitt
, Wayne
, and Greene
counties.
He served as mayor of Snow Hill, North Carolina
from 2001 until his election to the Senate. Elected at age 29, he was the youngest mayor in the history of Snow Hill.
Prior to defeating incumbent Mayor R. Ben Rayford in the 2001 mayoral election, Davis served eight years active duty in the United States Air Force
. From 2001 until his election to the Senate, Davis also taught sociology
at East Carolina University
, Pitt Community College
, and Lenoir Community College
.
. Davis earned a Master of Science in Administration degree with a concentration in general administration from Central Michigan University
and a Master of Arts in Sociology degree with a concentration in social issues in regional development from East Carolina University. He also earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree with a concentration in higher education administration from East Carolina University. Davis has completed courses in the Commissioned Lay Minister Program through the New Hope Presbytery, Presbyterian Church United States of America.
Davis served as an executive officer in a 900-person organization that was responsible for administering services to a military community of over 120,000 people with the responsibility of over $14 million in non-appropriated revenue and $7 million in appropriate funds. While at Andrews Air Force Base, he served as a protocol flight line duty officer. In this position Davis was responsible for coordinating presidential operations during the Clinton/Gore administration.
He also provided services for various foreign heads of state, congressional delegations, and members of the United Nations.
From 1998 to 2001, Davis served as an assistant professor of Aerospace Studies and commandant of cadets in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 600. He taught military history, national security affairs, and leadership courses. Davis was selected as the “Outstanding Instructor of the Year.”
Democratic Party
. He filed to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in the First District in 2004, but then dropped out before the primary election.
In 2005, Davis was reelected as mayor. On October 1, 2007, Davis announced plans to file for the North Carolina Senate District 5 seat. Davis was one of six Democratic candidates who filed for the seat held by retiring North Carolina Senator John Kerr, III. He was the leading vote-getter with 36 percent of the vote in the May 6, 2008 Primary Election
.
Short of the 40% margin required to avoid a second primary election, Kathy Taft of Pitt County called for a runoff
. On June 24, 2008, Davis seized the Democratic nomination after obtaining 63% of the votes in the second primary election. Davis faced North Carolina Representative Louis Pate, a Wayne County Republican, in the general election.
On November 4, 2008, Davis was elected to serve as the next senator for the Fifth Senatorial District of North Carolina, with 53% of the votes. His term officially began January 1, 2009.
In a rematch of the 2008 election, Davis was defeated for re-election by Louis Pate in November 2010.
North Carolina Senate
The North Carolina Senate is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly.Its prerogatives and powers are similar to those of the other house, the House of Representatives. Its members do, however, represent districts that are larger than those of their colleagues in the House. The...
in 2008, representing Pitt
Pitt County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 133,798 people, 52,539 households, and 32,258 families residing in the county. The population density was 205 people per square mile . There were 58,408 housing units at an average density of 90 per square mile...
, Wayne
Wayne County, North Carolina
- Cities and towns :*Brogden*Dudley*Elroy*Eureka*Fremont*Goldsboro*Mar-Mac*Mount Olive*Pikeville*Rosewood*Seven Springs*Walnut Creek*Grantham-Geography:According to the U.S...
, and Greene
Greene County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 18,974 people, 6,696 households, and 4,955 families residing in the county. The population density was 72 people per square mile . There were 7,368 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
counties.
He served as mayor of Snow Hill, North Carolina
Snow Hill, North Carolina
Snow Hill is a town in Greene County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,564 at the 2008 census. It is the county seat of Greene County and is part of the Greenville Metropolitan Area...
from 2001 until his election to the Senate. Elected at age 29, he was the youngest mayor in the history of Snow Hill.
Prior to defeating incumbent Mayor R. Ben Rayford in the 2001 mayoral election, Davis served eight years active duty in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. From 2001 until his election to the Senate, Davis also taught sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
at East Carolina University
East Carolina University
East Carolina University is a public, coeducational, engaged doctoral/research university located in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. Named East Carolina University by statute and commonly known as ECU or East Carolina, the university is the largest institution of higher learning in...
, Pitt Community College
Pitt Community College
Pitt Community College, commonly known as PCC, is a two-year accredited institution of higher education and technical training school, and is located in Winterville, North Carolina in Pitt County. The school is part of the North Carolina Community College System, a state-supported body of 58...
, and Lenoir Community College
Lenoir Community College
Lenoir Community College is a community college in Lenoir County, North Carolina offering degree programs and continuing education.LCC's main campus is located in the city of Kinston in Lenoir County...
.
Early life and education
Davis was born in the town of Snow Hill and attended Snow Hill Primary School and West Greene Elementary School. He attended public schools in Durham and Wake counties. In 1989, Davis graduated from McArthur High School in Irving, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences degree from the United States Air Force AcademyUnited States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
. Davis earned a Master of Science in Administration degree with a concentration in general administration from Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a public research university located in Mount Pleasant in the U.S. state of Michigan...
and a Master of Arts in Sociology degree with a concentration in social issues in regional development from East Carolina University. He also earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree with a concentration in higher education administration from East Carolina University. Davis has completed courses in the Commissioned Lay Minister Program through the New Hope Presbytery, Presbyterian Church United States of America.
Military career
Davis served eight years active duty in the United States Air Force. He had a regular commission and was promoted to the rank of captain. He completed selective assignments. Initially Davis was assigned to the United States Air Force Academy as an admissions advisor. He was reassigned to the 89th Airlift Wing as a services officer at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Davis served as chief of the Plans and Force Management Flight. He also administered the base mortuary program. Davis deployed to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware to administer mortuary services to the 33 victims of the CT-143 aircraft mishap involving the late Secretary of Commerce Ronald Brown. He was selected as the 89th Services Squadron “Company Grade Officer of the Year.”Davis served as an executive officer in a 900-person organization that was responsible for administering services to a military community of over 120,000 people with the responsibility of over $14 million in non-appropriated revenue and $7 million in appropriate funds. While at Andrews Air Force Base, he served as a protocol flight line duty officer. In this position Davis was responsible for coordinating presidential operations during the Clinton/Gore administration.
He also provided services for various foreign heads of state, congressional delegations, and members of the United Nations.
From 1998 to 2001, Davis served as an assistant professor of Aerospace Studies and commandant of cadets in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 600. He taught military history, national security affairs, and leadership courses. Davis was selected as the “Outstanding Instructor of the Year.”
Political career
Elected mayor in 2001, Davis also served as chairman of the First Congressional DistrictNorth Carolina's 1st congressional district
North Carolina's 1st congressional district is located mostly in the northeastern part of the state. This area is located on North Carolina's Coastal plain and contains towns such as Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount, Goldsboro, and New Bern....
Democratic Party
North Carolina Democratic Party
The North Carolina Democratic Party is the North Carolina affiliate of the national Democratic Party in the United States. It is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. They are located in the historic Goodwin house which is located in the downtown area of Raleigh at 220 Hillsborough Street...
. He filed to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in the First District in 2004, but then dropped out before the primary election.
In 2005, Davis was reelected as mayor. On October 1, 2007, Davis announced plans to file for the North Carolina Senate District 5 seat. Davis was one of six Democratic candidates who filed for the seat held by retiring North Carolina Senator John Kerr, III. He was the leading vote-getter with 36 percent of the vote in the May 6, 2008 Primary Election
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
.
Short of the 40% margin required to avoid a second primary election, Kathy Taft of Pitt County called for a runoff
Two-round system
The two-round system is a voting system used to elect a single winner where the voter casts a single vote for their chosen candidate...
. On June 24, 2008, Davis seized the Democratic nomination after obtaining 63% of the votes in the second primary election. Davis faced North Carolina Representative Louis Pate, a Wayne County Republican, in the general election.
On November 4, 2008, Davis was elected to serve as the next senator for the Fifth Senatorial District of North Carolina, with 53% of the votes. His term officially began January 1, 2009.
In a rematch of the 2008 election, Davis was defeated for re-election by Louis Pate in November 2010.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources (Vice Chair)
- Committee on Appropriations on Education/Higher Education
- Committee on Appropriations/Base Budget
- Committee on Education/Higher Education
- Committee on Health Care
- Committee on State and Local Government
- Committee on Transportation