NC-01: Donald Davis (D)

REPLACING:

GK Butterfield (D)[i]

WORK HISTORY:

North Carolina State Senate (State Senator, District 5); Town of Snow Hill, North Carolina (Mayor); US Air Force (Lieutenant / Captain)[ii] [iii]

EDUCATION:

Diploma, MacArthur High School; BS, US Air Force Academy; MS, Central Michigan University; MA, East Carolina University; EdD, East Carolina University[iv]

CAMPAIGNED ON:

Rebuilding Our Rural Economy; Accessible Healthcare; Veterans & Military Families; Strong Education; Rural Infrastructure; Women’s Rights & Health; Equity & Justice; Environment[v]

ON THE ISSUES

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:

Davis believes that Congress should codify Roe v. Wade into law.[vi] Following the Supreme Court vote to overturn the landmark decision, Davis said he would “fight tooth-and-nail to protect abortion rights.”[vii] During his primary campaign, Davis came under fire for his previous anti-abortion votes, including voting for a Republican “born alive” bill in 2019, as well as 2015 bill banning the sale of fetal parts that also included a budget provision denying state funding to groups that provide abortions, including Planned Parenthood.[viii]

ECONOMY, JOBS & TAXES:

Davis says he trusts Biden “to keep us safe and rebuild our economy.”[ix] He advocates for “good-paying manufacturing jobs,” supporting small businesses, and “strengthening North Carolina’s agriculture.” Davis also believes that investment in infrastructure, including high-speed broadband, will create “good-paying jobs” and connect local businesses with the global market.[x]

HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:

Davis advocates for accessible, quality healthcare, including primary care, dental care, and mental healthcare. He believes no one should be denied care due to pre-existing conditions or lifetime coverage caps.[xi] Davis voted to expand Medicaid in North Carolina in 2022, calling it "absolutely huge" for his district; however in 2019 he was notably one of two Democrats to not cosponsor a Senate Medicaid expansion bill.[xii] [xiii]

IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:

As a state senator, Davis voted against bills that would have defunded cities not in compliance with the state’s immigrations laws and required law enforcement agencies to contact ICE when undocumented immigrants were arrested.[xiv] [xv] He also voted against a state bill that would have removed undocumented immigrants from voter lists.[xvi]

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:

Davis called the video recording of George Floyd’s death “heart-wrenching.” Amidst protests following Floyd’s murder, Davis said “protesters have the right to be heard,” but urged protesters to remain peaceful.[xvii] As a state senator, Davis worked to reform the juvenile justice system, including raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction for nonviolent crimes to 18 and ensuring 16- and 17-year-olds were no longer charged in the adult criminal justice system.[xviii]

GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS & ELECTION SECURITY:

If elected, Davis said he will support the federal John Lewis Voting Rights Act.[xix] He is endorsed by the Voter Protection Project.[xx] Notably, in 2018, Davis was one of two Democrats to join Senate Republicans in North Carolina in voting for a bill determining which photo ID cards would be accepted to cast a ballot.[xxi]

EDUCATION:

As an educator with a doctorate in education, Davis “knows first hand the value of quality, affordable education at every level.” In Congress, Davis will fight to “expand access to early childhood education, lower the cost of higher education, and invest heavily in our HBCUs.”[xxii]

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:

Davis believes the “climate crisis poses a massive threat to eastern North Carolina,” particularly to farmers “who face increasingly unpredictable weather patterns due to global climate change.” He argues the climate crisis “disproportionately” impacts poor families, working class communities, and communities of color.[xxiii]

GUN SAFETY:

In 2021, Davis voted in favor of a largely bipartisan Senate bill expanding concealed carry rights in North Carolina churches that also host schools.[xxiv] He currently has a “C” rating from the NRA.[xxv]

FOREIGN POLICY:

In 2013, Davis visited China with a group of North Carolina lawmakers “for a nine-day economic development trip.” The trip was reportedly sponsored by a Chinese Organization affiliated with the Chinese Community Party.[xxvi] [xxvii]