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Greg Davids

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Gregory Michael Davids (born August 28, 1958) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2009, and from 1991 to 2006. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Davids represents District 26B in southeastern Minnesota, which includes the cities of La Crescent and Spring Valley, and parts of Fillmore, Houston, and Mower Counties.[1][2]

Greg Davids
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 26B district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 6, 2009
Preceded byKen Tschumper
In office
February 18, 1991 – January 2, 2007
Preceded byElton Redalen
Succeeded byKen Tschumper
Constituency31B (1993-2006)
32B (1991-1992)
Personal details
Born (1958-08-28) August 28, 1958 (age 66)
Political partyRepublican
SpouseBonnie
Children3
ResidencePreston, Minnesota
EducationWaldorf College
Winona State University (B.S.)
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Occupation
WebsiteGovernment website

Early life, education, and career

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Davids graduated from Spring Valley High School, then attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, and Winona State University in Winona, where he earned his B.S. in social science. He also attended graduate school at Mankato State University in Mankato.[1]

Davids was appointed to the Preston City Council in 1986, and was elected mayor a year later, serving until his election to the state legislature in 1991.[1]

Minnesota House of Representatives

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Davids was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in a special election on February 12, 1991. He won a full term in 1992 and was reelected every two years until 2006. Davids first ran after eight-term Republican incumbent Elton Redalen resigned to accept an appointment as Minnesota's Commissioner of Agriculture. In 2006, Davids was defeated by Ken Tschumper. Davids ran again and defeated Tschumper in 2008, and has been reelected every two years since then. He is the longest-serving Republican member of the Minnesota House, serving 16 non-consecutive terms.[1][3]

Davids serves as the minority lead for the Taxes Committee, and sits on the Ethics and Higher Education Finance and Policy Committees. He chaired the Taxes Committee for six years of non-consecutive Republican control, from 2011 to 2012 and from 2015 to 2018. During the 2005-06 biennium, he chaired the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. That session he also served as speaker pro tempore for the House, a position he also held during the 2011-12 biennium. From 1999 to 2004, Davids chaired the Commerce, Jobs and Economic Development Committee.[1]

Taxes

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Davids has consistently advocated for tax cuts for businesses and individuals, and called for Minnesota to make its tax code more competitive with other Midwestern states.[4][5] He has supported a full repeal of the tax on Social Security, and an end to the estate tax.[6][7]

From 2011 to 2012, Davids chaired the taxes committee during a budget stalemate between House and Senate Republicans and Governor Mark Dayton that resulted in a government shutdown.[8] In 2014, during full DFL control of the legislature, he supported a tax bill providing $103 million in tax cuts.[9]

Returning as tax chair in 2015, Davids authored bipartisan legislation in 2015 to align the state's tax code with federal law, delivering tax relief to filers.[10] He opposed efforts by Dayton to increase the gas tax and taxes on top earners, and called for phasing out commercial property taxes.[11][12][13] He supported bipartisan efforts to give tax credits to Minnesotans with student debt.[14] In 2016, Davids sponsored a tax bill that would give $450 million in cuts to Social Security recipients, veterans, college students and parents, a compromise version was passed later in the session with bipartisan support but was not signed by Governor Dayton.[15][16][17] The bill also contained a repeal of yearly tax increases on tobacco and cigarettes, which Davids supported but Dayton opposed.[18][19][20]

Davids praised parts of Dayton's 2017 tax plan, but opposed a proposal to create a working family tax credit in favor of a child-care tax credit.[21][22] Davids's 2017 tax bill, which passed the House, contained $1.35 billion in tax cuts, including many provisions from the 2016 bill, including cuts to estate taxes and a repeal of the tobacco tax.[23][24] Dayton signed the bill but called for a special session to undo several of the cuts that he argued favored the wealthy and special interest groups.[25][26] In 2018, Davids wrote another tax bill that offered tax cuts for over 2 million Minnesotans, which passed on a bipartisan vote, but was criticized by some DFLers for prioritizing corporate tax breaks.[27]

Health care policy and MNsure

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Davids has been critical of the Affordable Care Act as well as MNsure, a state-run health insurance marketplace.[28][29][30][31] He supported efforts to eliminate MNsure, and praised President Donald Trump for his promise to repeal the ACA.[32][33]

Davids co-chaired a legislative oversight committee on MNsure, and advocated for high-risk pools.[34][35] He has said he does not want more people on public programs, instead saying "there should be a viable, vibrant private market".[36] Davids authored a bill establishing a reinsurance program, but opposed funding it with tax increases on the health care industry.[37][38] In 2017, he criticized House DFLers for holding up a Republican health insurance rebate proposal.[39]

Other political positions

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Davids wrote a letter opposing Dayton's southwest light rail plan, arguing it would take funds away from tax relief and other transportation projects in Greater Minnesota.[40] He opposed Dayton's efforts to raise cabinet members' salaries.[41] Davids opposed efforts to expand gambling through online ticket sales.[42][43][44] He also opposed legislation lifting a state ban on Sunday liquor sales.[45]

In 2017, Davids called then-minority leader Melissa Hortman racist for her calling out her "100 percent white male" colleagues for playing cards in the retiring room of the House during debate. He said Hortman should apologize or resign as DFL leader.[46][47]

Electoral history

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1991 Minnesota State House - District 32B Special Election[48]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory Davids 3,369 62.66
Democratic (DFL) Harlin Taylor 1,929 35.88
Write-in 42 0.07
Total votes 5,376 100
Republican hold
1992 Minnesota State House - District 31B[49]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory Davids (incumbent) 14,174 98.38
Write-in 234 1.62
Total votes 14,408 100
Republican hold
1994 Minnesota State House - District 31B[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory Davids (incumbent) 10,615 98.35
Write-in 179 1.65
Total votes 10,794 100
Republican hold
1996 Minnesota State House - District 31B[51]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory Davids (incumbent) 9,152 60.61
Democratic (DFL) Delbert Mandelko 5,929 39.27
Write-in 17 0.01
Total votes 15,098 100
Republican hold
1998 Minnesota State House - District 31B[52]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory Davids (incumbent) 8,267 60.12
Democratic (DFL) Delbert Mandelko 5,470 39.78
Write-in 13 0.01
Total votes 13,750 100
Republican hold
2000 Minnesota State House - District 31B[53]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory Davids (incumbent) 9,586 59.47
Democratic (DFL) Al Hein 6,533 40.53
Total votes 16,119 100
Republican hold
2002 Minnesota State House - District 31B[54]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory Davids (incumbent) 8,475 53.45
Democratic (DFL) Al Hein 7,363 46.43
Write-in 19 0.12
Total votes 15,857 100
Republican hold
2004 Minnesota State House - District 31B[55]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory Davids (incumbent) 10,349 52.07
Democratic (DFL) Peggy Hanson 9,435 47.47
Write-in 91 0.46
Total votes 19,875 100
Republican hold
2006 Minnesota State House - District 31B[56]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic (DFL) Ken Tschumper 8,063 50.02
Republican Gregory Davids (incumbent) 8,011 49.69
Write-in 47 0.29
Total votes 16,121 100
Democratic (DFL) gain from Republican
2008 Minnesota State House - District 31B[57]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory Davids 9,873 50.90
Democratic (DFL) Ken Tschumper (incumbent) 9,466 48.81
Write-in 56 0.29
Total votes 19,395 100
Republican gain from Democratic (DFL)
2010 Minnesota State House - District 31B[58]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory Davids (incumbent) 7,694 53.49
Democratic (DFL) Steve Kemp 4,279 29.75
Independent Al Hein 2,398 16.67
Write-in 13 0.09
Total votes 14,384 100
Republican hold
2012 Minnesota State House - District 28B[59]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory Davids (incumbent) 12,006 58.22
Democratic (DFL) Ken Tschumper 8,542 41.42
Write-in 74 0.36
Total votes 20,662 100
Republican hold
2014 Minnesota State House - District 28B[60]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory Davids (incumbent) 9,013 55.88
Democratic (DFL) Jon Pieper 7,090 43.96
Write-in 27 0.17
Total votes 16,130 100
Republican hold
2016 Minnesota State House - District 28B[61]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory Davids (incumbent) 11,614 54.54
Democratic (DFL) Thomas Trehus 9,651 45.32
Write-in 28 0.13
Total votes 21,293 100
Republican hold
2018 Minnesota State House - District 28B[62]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory Davids (incumbent) 10,351 55.44
Democratic (DFL) Thomas Trehus 8,308 44.49
Write-in 13 0.07
Total votes 18,672 100
Republican hold
2020 Minnesota State House - District 28B[63]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory Davids (incumbent) 14,711 63.67
Democratic (DFL) Jordan Fontenello 8,344 36.11
Write-in 49 0.21
Total votes 23,104 100
Republican hold
2022 Minnesota State House - District 26B[64]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory Davids (incumbent) 15,037 94.67
Write-in 847 5.33
Total votes 15,884 100
Republican hold

Personal life

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Davids lives in Preston Minnesota with his wife, Bonnie, and has three children.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Davids, Gregory M. "Greg" - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  2. ^ "Rep. Greg Davids (26B) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  3. ^ Condon, Patrick (July 13, 2015). "DFL's Kahn, Carlson now longest-serving state House members ever". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  4. ^ Pugmire, Tim (August 29, 2013). "Minnesota House panel tries to counter Wisconsin 'propaganda'". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  5. ^ Lopez, Ricardo (December 12, 2015). "Minnesota's fiscal health stands out among the Midwest states". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  6. ^ Pugmire, Tim (April 5, 2016). "GOP presses to end Minnesota tax on Social Security". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  7. ^ Pugmire, Tim (January 12, 2017). "Lawmakers OK initial tax cuts, begin debating others". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  8. ^ Pugmire, Tim (November 25, 2014). "New balance of power makes GOP, Dems wary". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  9. ^ Pugmire, Tim (May 8, 2014). "Agreement at Capitol on another round of tax cuts". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  10. ^ Lopez, Ricardo (January 13, 2015). "Teachers, students could reap benefit of realigned state tax code". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  11. ^ Pugmire, Tim (January 2, 2015). "Flush with $1 billion surplus, lawmakers eye tax relief". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  12. ^ Scheck, Tom (May 1, 2015). "Capitol leaders ready for high-stakes budget poker". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  13. ^ Scheck, Tom (February 3, 2015). "Higher taxes on top MN earners didn't spark exodus". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  14. ^ Cox, Peter (May 26, 2016). "Tax credits aim to help ease sting of student debt, encourage saving". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  15. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick; Lopez, Ricardo (May 17, 2016). "Minnesota House Republicans offer their own road plan, includes $100 million in car tab fees". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  16. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick; Lopez, Ricardo; Rao, Maya (May 23, 2016). "Session implodes at midnight over roads, public works". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  17. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick (March 25, 2017). "2018 politics creep into legislative session". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  18. ^ Richert, Cathering (February 18, 2015). "GOP lawmaker seeks end to annual cigarette tax hikes". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  19. ^ Condon, Patrick (May 26, 2016). "Tobacco users get tax break from Legislature". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  20. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick (February 12, 2017). "Tobacco industry looks for political wins in Minnesota". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  21. ^ Lopez, Ricardo (January 5, 2017). "Gov. Mark Dayton unveils $300 million tax plan while GOP unveils health care blueprint". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  22. ^ Pugmire, Tim (January 5, 2017). "Dayton proposes tax cut plan that GOP calls 'lean'". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  23. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick (March 30, 2017). "MN House passes $1.35 billion tax cut". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  24. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick (April 14, 2017). "With Republicans leading Legislature, allies ready to reap benefits". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  25. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick (June 26, 2017). "Tax cuts on the way for some Minnesotans; opponents say they are too expensive, directed at wealthy". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  26. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick (March 26, 2018). "Gov. Mark Dayton aims to limit tax increase on families; critics call it massive tax increase". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  27. ^ Keen, Judy (May 15, 2018). "Minnesota House passes GOP tax bill; Dayton not yet on board". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  28. ^ Snowbeck, Christopher (June 3, 2015). "Some Minnesota health insurers seek large premium hikes". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  29. ^ Snowbeck, Christopher (August 7, 2015). "Republicans question Dayton on MNsure vendor payments". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  30. ^ Snowbeck, Christopher (January 28, 2016). "Audit finds lax eligibility checks for public health programs in Minnesota". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  31. ^ Snowbeck, Christopher (August 31, 2016). "MNsure still missing board members". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  32. ^ Zdechlik, Mark (July 13, 2015). "Republicans renew calls to dismantle MNsure". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  33. ^ Nelson, Tim (November 9, 2016). "Even in Hibbing, Minn. voters tapped GOP, Trump, change". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  34. ^ Condon, Patrick (November 13, 2016). "What will Trump's election win mean for Minnesota?". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  35. ^ Simons, Abby (October 20, 2015). "Chairman of MNsure oversight committee looks into spending of federal funds". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  36. ^ Snowbeck, Christopher (September 8, 2016). "Looming hikes in health-care insurance premiums defy easy fixes". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  37. ^ Golden, Erin (March 22, 2017). "Dayton issues warning on 'reinsurance' plans". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  38. ^ Bakst, Brian (March 13, 2017). "Minnesota House passes GOP reinsurance bill". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  39. ^ Golden, Erin (January 17, 2017). "With health insurance rebates on Capitol agenda, individual market customers hope for political compromise". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  40. ^ Davids, Greg; Torkelson, Paul (August 25, 2016). "OPINION EXCHANGE | Counterpoint: Dayton chooses light rail over some pretty good legislation". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  41. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick; Condon, Patrick (February 9, 2015). "Minnesota Republicans attempt to block Dayton cabinet pay raises". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  42. ^ Nelson, Tim (April 22, 2014). "Lawmakers call online games 'lottery gone wild'". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  43. ^ Brandon, Stahl (July 20, 2015). "Minnesota lottery reports record contribution to the state". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  44. ^ Coolican, J. Patrick; Walsh, Paul (June 26, 2018). "Minnesotans can now buy lottery tickets on smartphone but legal status debated". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  45. ^ Olson, Michael (January 8, 2015). "Do you support Sunday liquor sales?". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  46. ^ Walsh, Paul (April 4, 2017). "Top DFL lawmaker's 'white male' comments set off spat on Minnesota House floor". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  47. ^ Bakst, Brian (April 4, 2017). "House DFL leader slams 'white male card game'". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  48. ^ "1991 Results for State Representative District 32B Special Election" (PDF). Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  49. ^ "1992 Results for State Representative District 31B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  50. ^ "1994 Results for State Representative District 31B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  51. ^ "1996 Results for State Representative District 31B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  52. ^ "1998 Results for State Representative District 31B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  53. ^ "2000 Results for State Representative District 31B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  54. ^ "2002 Results for State Representative District 31B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  55. ^ "2004 Results for State Representative District 31B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  56. ^ "2006 Results for State Representative District 31B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  57. ^ "2008 Results for State Representative District 31B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  58. ^ "2010 Results for State Representative District 31B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  59. ^ "2012 Results for State Representative District 28B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  60. ^ "2014 Results for State Representative District 28B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  61. ^ "2016 Results for State Representative District 28B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  62. ^ "2018 Results for State Representative District 28B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  63. ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 28B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  64. ^ "2022 Results for State Representative District 26B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
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