Sharice Davids

Sharice Lynnette Davids (/ʃəˈris/;[1] born May 22, 1980) is an American attorney, former mixed martial artist, and politician serving as the U.S. representative from Kansas's 3rd congressional district since 2019.[2] A member of the Democratic Party, she represents a district that includes most of the Kansas side of the Kansas City metropolitan area, including Kansas City, Overland Park, Prairie Village, Leawood, Lenexa, and Olathe.

Sharice Davids
Davids smiling, Davids in 2019
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Kansas's 3rd district
Assumed office
January 3, 2019
Preceded byKevin Yoder
Personal details
Born
Sharice Lynnette Davids

(1980-05-22) May 22, 1980
Frankfurt, West Germany
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUniversity of Missouri–Kansas City (BBA)
Cornell University (JD)
WebsiteHouse website

Elected in 2018, Davids became the first Democrat elected to represent a Kansas congressional district in a decade.[3] She is the first openly LGBT Native American elected to the U.S. Congress, the first openly lesbian person elected to the U.S. Congress from Kansas, and one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress, along with Deb Haaland of New Mexico.[4][5][6] She defeated incumbent Kevin Yoder in the 2018 election. She is also the second Native American to represent Kansas in Congress, after Charles Curtis, who was Herbert Hoover's vice president. As of 2022, Davids remains the only Democrat in Kansas's congressional delegation.

An attorney educated at the University of Missouri–Kansas City and Cornell Law School, Davids was a professional mixed martial artist in the 2010s.

Early life and education

Davids was born on May 22, 1980, in Frankfurt, West Germany.[7] She is a member of the Ho-Chunk people, and an enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin.[8]

Her maternal grandfather, Fredrick J. Davids, a United States Army veteran, was born into the Mohican Nation Stockbridge-Munsee Band, in Oneida, Wisconsin.[9] Sharice was raised by her single mother, Crystal Herriage, who served in the U.S. Army.[10]

Davids attended Leavenworth High School, Haskell Indian Nations University, Johnson County Community College, the University of Kansas, and the University of Missouri–Kansas City, graduating from the latter with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 2007.[11][12][13] She earned her Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School in 2010.[14] She lives in Roeland Park, Kansas and was endorsed for reelection by the Kansas City Star in 2022.[15][16]

Mixed martial arts career

Davids began competing in mixed martial arts (MMA) as an amateur in 2006, and went professional in 2013. She had a 5–1 win–loss record as an amateur and a 1–1 record as a professional.[17] She tried out for The Ultimate Fighter but did not make it onto the show, leading her to shift her focus away from MMA to travel the U.S. and live on Native American reservations to work with the communities on economic and community development programs.[12]

Record

Professional

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 1–1 Rosa Acevedo Decision (unanimous) LCS 18 March 1, 2014 3 5:00 Torrington, Wyoming, United States [18][19]
Win 1–0 Nadia Nixon Submission (triangle choke) Shamrock FC – Conquest November 1, 2013 1 2:08 Kansas City, Missouri, United States [19]

Amateur

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 5–1 Heather Rafferty Decision (unanimous) Pride & Pain MMA October 20, 2012 3 3:00 Hot Springs, South Dakota, United States [19]
Win 4–1 Chandra Engel Submission (triangle choke) Ultimate Blue Corner Battles January 27, 2012 1 2:36 North Kansas City, Missouri, United States [19]
Win 3–1 Ronni Nanney TKO (knee & punch) Ultimate Blue Corner Battles April 1, 2011 3 3:00 North Kansas City, Missouri, United States [19]
Win 2–1 Stacia Hoss TKO (knee & punch) Ultimate Blue Corner Battles August 27, 2010 1 0:27 North Kansas City, Missouri, United States [19]
Loss 1–1 Erin Roper Submission (armbar) Shamrock FC: Midwest Fightfest May 11, 2007 1 1:53 Kansas City, Missouri, United States [19]
Win 1–0 Courtney Martel Technical Submission (triangle choke) ISFC Midwest Fightfest October 27, 2006 1 0:44 Kansas City, Missouri, United States [19]

Davids began her legal career at SNR Denton in 2010.[20] She later directed community and economic development for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

In 2016, Davids worked as a White House Fellow in the Department of Transportation during the transition between the Obama and Trump administrations.[11]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections
Davids with Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh.

2018
See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Kansas § District 3

In 2018, Davids ran for the United States House of Representatives in Kansas's 3rd congressional district. In the August Democratic primary election, she defeated Brent Welder, who had been endorsed by Bernie Sanders, 37% to 34%.[21]

During a July 2018 episode of the Millennial Politics Podcast, host Jordan Valerie Allen asked Davids whether she supported abolishing ICE, the agency that enforces immigration laws and falls within the oversight of the Department of Homeland Security, to which Davids responded, "you asked me about defunding, which I think is probably essentially the same thing. But yeah."[22][23] Despite denials by Davids through campaign statements and a television advertisement, the Associated Press fact checker ruled that she did in fact lend her support to ending the agency.[24]

Kansas City NPR member station KCUR fact-checked the claims that incumbent Representative Kevin Yoder and Davids made in separate interviews on its station, and gave Yoder an "F". Yoder said that immigrants were making false asylum claims and would increase crime. Davids said that she supported single-payer health care, but it could not be enacted with Republicans in the White House. Meanwhile, she supports short-term goals like allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices and getting generics to market faster. KCUR said that Davids's claim that teachers are not paid enough, and can no longer take tax deductions for buying their own school supplies, was "partly true and partly false" since the tax deduction had been reinstated.[25]

Davids defeated Yoder in the November 8 general election.[26][27] Upon her swearing-in on January 3, 2019, she became the first Democrat to represent Kansas in the House since Dennis Moore left office in 2011.[3] She is also only the second Democrat to represent what is now the 3rd since 1963.

In 2019, Davids and Deb Haaland of New Mexico, a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, became the first Native American women to serve in Congress. In March 2021, Haaland left Congress to become the Secretary of Interior in the Biden Administration.[28]

2020
See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Kansas § District 3

In 2020, Davids was unopposed in the Democratic primary, winning 74,437 votes.[29]

Davids faced the Republican nominee, Cerner Corporation executive and former Kansas Republican Party chairwoman Amanda Adkins, in the general election.[30] Davids was endorsed by the Kansas City Star.[31]

Davids defeated Adkins with 53.6% of the vote to Adkins's 43.6%.[32]

2022
See also: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Kansas § District 3

In 2022, Davids ran for reelection in the newly drawn 3rd district. Redistricting made the 3rd somewhat more Republican; it lost most of Kansas City while picking up some exurban territory to the west. Despite this, Davids defeated Amanda Adkins for the second time with 54.9% of the vote to Adkins's 42.8% and 2.3% for the Libertarian Steve Hohe. Her margin was almost identical to her 2020 margin.

Tenure
Davids (center) before a committee meeting with Reps. Deb Haaland (D-NM) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK)

On December 18, 2019, Davids voted to impeach President Donald Trump and was the only person representing Kansas to do so.[33] In March 2020, Davids quarantined herself for possible exposure to coronavirus. Before that, she had mostly switched her congressional office from physical to digital.[34]

Davids was named a vice-chair of the 2020 Democratic National Convention.[35]

As of April 2023, Davids had voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time.[36]

Davids voted for the America COMPETES Act of 2022, which passed on a party-line vote. The bill authorized billions of dollars of government spending on American manufacturing and scientific research in an effort to compete with China.[37] Davids added an amendment to the legislation that would include small and medium-sized manufacturers in a $500 million pilot program for producing personal protective equipment and medical supplies.[38]

Committee assignments

Leadership

Caucus memberships

Recognition

In 2019, Representative Cheri Bustos, then chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, took note of Davids, "rating her toward the top of the freshman class in terms of doing things the right way."[48]

In June 2019, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, an event widely considered a watershed moment in the modern LGBTQ rights movement, Queerty named Davids one of the Pride50 "trailblazing individuals who actively ensure society remains moving towards equality, acceptance and dignity for all queer people".[49][50] She was also named to the 2021 Fast Company Queer 50 list.[51]

Personal life

Davids is among the few U.S. representatives not to identify with any specific religion.[52]

Electoral history
Kansas's 3rd Congressional District Democratic Primary (2018)[53]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sharice Davids 23,066 37.3
Democratic Brent Welder 20,904 33.8
Democratic Tom Niermann 8,844 14.3
Democratic Mike McCamon 4,278 6.9
Democratic Sylvia Williams 2,906 4.7
Democratic Jay Sidie 1,762 2.9
Total votes 61,760 100
Kansas's 3rd Congressional District Election (2018)[54]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sharice Davids 164,253 53.3
Republican Kevin Yoder (incumbent) 136,104 44.2
Libertarian Chris Clemmons 7,643 2.5
Total votes 343,113 100
Democratic gain from Republican
Kansas's 3rd Congressional District Election (2020)
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sharice Davids (incumbent) 212,084 53.5
Republican Amanda Adkins 173,621 43.8
Libertarian Steven Hohe 11,077 2.8
Total votes 396,282 100
Democratic hold
Kansas's 3rd Congressional District Election (2022)
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sharice Davids (incumbent) 165,527 54.9
Republican Amanda Adkins 128,839 42.8
Libertarian Steve Hohe 6,928 2.3
Total votes 301,294 100.0
Democratic hold

See also

References
  1. Sharice Davids [@sharicedavids] (September 8, 2020). "When the coronavirus hit and our economy slowed, Kansas businesses took a hit. Yet Wall Street's booming. It shows the deck is stacked. That's why I'm working to get COVID aid to small businesses, keeping Kansans on the job" (Tweet). Retrieved September 14, 2020 – via Twitter.
  2. "Missouri Bar 2010 Admittees" (PDF).
  3. Lowry, Brian (April 15, 2019). "'Not a showoff.' Sharice Davids' quiet approach endears her to Democratic leaders." The Kansas City Star. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  4. Watkins, Eli (November 7, 2018). "First Native American women elected to Congress: Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland". CNN.
  5. Lowry, Bryan; Bergen, Katy (November 6, 2018). "Sharice Davids makes history: Kansas' 1st gay rep, 1st Native American woman in Congress". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  6. "CNN.com – Transcripts". Transcripts.cnn.com. August 23, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  7. "DAVIDS, Sharice". U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved June 25, 2019. Official listing on the History archives of the U.S. House of Representatives.
  8. "Sharice Davids, a lesbian Native American, makes political history in Kansas". NBC News. November 7, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  9. Fredrick J. Davids obituary, Amos Funeral Home, June 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  10. Sharice Davids makes history: Kansas’ 1st gay rep, 1st Native American woman in Congress, The Kansas City Star, Bryan Lowry & Katy Bergen, November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  11. Senter, Jay (February 15, 2018). "Shawnee resident, White House fellow Sharice Davids enters race for Yoder's seat". Shawnee Mission Post. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  12. Karim Zidan (August 6, 2018). "How Sharice Davids traded in MMA for a shot at political history". The Guardian. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  13. Bradley-Lopez, Gary (October 17, 2018). "UMKC alumnus Sharice Davids is not your average candidate". The University News. Archived from the original on January 25, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  14. "Sharice Davids '10 Wins Historic Election in Congressional Race in Kansas". Cornell Law School. November 8, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  15. "About". U.S. House of Representatives. December 3, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  16. The Star recommends Sharice Davids in Kansas' 3rd Congressional District, Kansas City Star, Star Editorial Board, October 11, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  17. Raimondi, Marc (March 14, 2018). "Ex-MMA fighter Sharice Davids trying to go from the cage to Congress". MMA Fighting. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  18. "Rosa Acevedo". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  19. Sherdog.com. "Sharice Davids MMA Stats". Sherdog. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  20. Stanley-Becker, Isaac (August 14, 2018). "Sharice Davids, who sees past discrimination as her asset, could become the first gay Native American in Congress". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  21. Senter, Jay (August 8, 2018). "Sharice Davids edges Brent Welder for Democratic nomination, will face Kevin Yoder in fall". Shawnee Mission Post. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  22. Lowry, Bryan (August 23, 2018). "U.S. House candidate Sharice Davids voiced support for defunding ICE in July podcast". Kansas City Star.
  23. Weigel, David (August 27, 2018). "'I do, I would, I would': How an answer to an ICE question rumbled a Kansas congressional race". Washington Post.
  24. "AP FACT CHECK: Kansas Democrat did say she favors ending ICE". AP NEWS. September 6, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  25. We Fact-Checked The Two Candidates In Kansas' 3rd District, And One Got An 'F', By Celisa Calacal, KCUR, October 29, 2018
  26. Kenny, Caroline (August 9, 2018). "Ex-MMA fighter Sharice Davids could become the first lesbian Native American congresswoman – CNNPolitics". Cnn.com. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  27. "Sharice Davids edges Brent Welder for Democratic nomination, will face Kevin Yoder in fall". August 8, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  28. Eilperin, Juliet; Grandoni, Dino. "Biden picks Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) to be first Native American interior secretary". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on December 17, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  29. "2020 Primary Election Official Vote Totals" (PDF). Kansas Secretary of State. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  30. Senter, Jay (September 9, 2019). "Amanda Adkins of Overland Park enters race for Rep. Davids' seat, setting up Republican primary". Shawnee Mission Post. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  31. , Kansas City Star, October 30, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  32. "2020 General Election - Official Vote Totals" (PDF). Kansas Secretary of State. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  33. Panetta, Grace (December 18, 2019). "Whip Count: Here's which members of the House voted for and against impeaching Trump". Business Insider. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  34. Lucky Charms and blazer at the ready, Sharice Davids reflects on life in quarantine, Kansas City Star, Bryan Lowry, March 23, 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
  35. "Democratic National Convention Announces 2020 Convention Officers, Schedule of Events". 2020 Democratic National Convention. July 30, 2020. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  36. Bycoffe, Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron (April 22, 2021). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  37. House votes to spend tens of billions to compete with China in manufacturing The measure would also invest in semiconductor chip research. ABC News. Mariam Khan, February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  38. Davids amendment makes it into bill to fund science and manufacturing, combat China, Kansas City Star, Daniel DeesRochers, February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  39. "Small Business Committee- Subcomittees". Small Business Committee- Subcomittees. February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  40. "Roster for Transportation and Infrastructure" (PDF). 118th Congress Rosters- Transportation and Infrastructure. February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  41. "CHAIRMAN THOMPSON, RANKING MEMBER SCOTT ANNOUNCE SUBCOMMITTEE ROSTERS FOR 118TH CONGRESS". House Committee on Agriculture. February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  42. "Incoming Democratic Whip Katherine Clark Announces Chief Deputy Whips for 118th Congress". Katherine Clark US House of Representatives. December 8, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  43. "Members". LGBT Equality Caucus. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  44. "Native American Caucus Leadership Established for 116th Congress". Representative Debra Haaland. January 30, 2019. Archived from the original on July 2, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  45. "Members". New Democrat Coalition. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  46. "New Leadership Press Release". New Democrat Coalition. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
  47. "Members". House Pro Choice Caucus. August 19, 2021.
  48. John Gallagher (June 20, 2019). "Sharice Davids is making a name for herself in Congress fighting for equality". Queerty. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  49. "Queerty Pride50 2019 Honorees". Queerty. Archived from the original on February 10, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  50. Gallagher, John (June 20, 2019). "Sharice Davids is making a name for herself in Congress fighting for equality". Queerty. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  51. "Announcing Fast Company's second annual Queer 50 list". Fast Company. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  52. "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. January 3, 2023.
  53. "Kansas Primary Election Results". The New York Times. New York. September 24, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  54. "Kansas Election Results: Third House District". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
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