Bart Davis

Bart Davis
United States Attorney for the District of Idaho
In office
September 21, 2017 – February 28, 2021
PresidentDonald Trump
Joe Biden
Preceded byWendy J. Olson
Succeeded byJoshua Hurwit
Majority Leader of the Idaho Senate
In office
December 1, 2002 – September 20, 2017
Preceded byJim Risch
Succeeded byChuck Winder
Member of the Idaho Senate
In office
December 1, 1998 – September 21, 2017
Preceded byJohn Hansen
Succeeded byTony Potts
Constituency29th district (1998–2002)
33rd district (2002–2017)
Personal details
Born
Bart McKay Davis

(1955-03-07) March 7, 1955 (age 69)
Rapid City, South Dakota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMarion Woffinden Davis
Children6
EducationBrigham Young University (BA)
University of Idaho (JD)
ProfessionLawyer

Bart McKay Davis (born March 7, 1955) is an American attorney and politician who served as the United States Attorney for the District of Idaho from 2017 to 2021.[1] He previously served as a Republican member of the Idaho Senate, representing District 33 from 2002 to 2017.[2] He represented District 29 from 1998 to 2002. During his time in the Idaho Senate, he served as state senate majority leader.

Early life and education

Born in Rapid City, South Dakota, Davis was raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Davis received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Brigham Young University in 1978 and a Juris Doctor in 1980 from the University of Idaho College of Law.

Career

Following his graduation from law school, Davis began his legal practice in Idaho Falls. He is admitted to practice before the Idaho Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. In 1990, he was co-counsel with former solicitor general Rex Lee in Davis v. United States before the United States Supreme Court. Davis' parents were the petitioners in the case. Since 2001, Davis has represented Idaho as a commissioner on the Uniform Law Commission. He is a past chairman of the Council of State Governments.

Idaho Senate

In 1998, six-term incumbent Senator John Hansen did not seek reelection to the Idaho Senate. Davis ran for the open seat and was elected. He served as Majority Caucus Chair from 2000 to 2002, and from 2002 to 2017 has served as Senate Majority Leader.

U.S. Attorney

In June 2017, President Donald Trump appointed him to become the next United States Attorney in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho.[3] The Senate Judiciary Committee on September 7, 2017, approved his recommendation by a unanimous voice vote.[4] He was confirmed by United States Senate by voice vote on September 14, 2017.

On February 8, 2021, he along with 55 other Trump-era attorneys were asked to resign.[5] On February 11, 2021, Davis submitted his resignation, effective February 28.[6]

Redistricting

Senator Pro-Tem Chuck Winder appointed Davis to Idaho's Independent Redistricting Commission.[7] Davis served as co-chair of the commission.[8]

Personal life

He married Marion Woffinden Davis in 1976 and together they have six children.

Writing

  • Bart Davis, Kate Kelly, and Kristin Ford, Use of Legislative History: Willow Witching for Legislative Intent, 43 Idaho College of Law Review 585 (2007).
  • Bart Davis, Idaho's Messy History with Term Limits: A Modest Response, 52 Idaho College of Law Review 463 (2016).

Electoral history

District 29 Senate - Part of Bonneville County
Year Candidate Votes Pct Candidate Votes Pct Candidate Votes Pct
1998 Primary[9] Bart Davis 2,120 57.4% Brenda Bergener Heaton 1,573 42.6%
1998 General[10] Bart Davis 5,148 56.0% Edith Stanger 4,044 44.0%
2000 Primary[11] Bart Davis (incumbent) 3,122 100%
2000 General[12] Bart Davis (incumbent) 8,343 73.8% Kenneth Walton 2,959 26.2% Rue Stears 1 0.0%
District 33 Senate - Part of Bonneville County
Year Candidate Votes Pct Candidate Votes Pct
2002 Primary[13] Bart Davis (incumbent) 3,140 100%
2002 General[14] Bart Davis (incumbent) 7,004 59.2% Ellie Hampton 4,831 40.8%
2004 Primary[15] Bart Davis (incumbent) 1,794 69.8% Kenneth Walton 778 30.2%
2004 General[16] Bart Davis (incumbent) 12,380 100%
2006 Primary[17] Bart Davis (incumbent) 1,950 70.6% Kenneth Walton 811 29.4%
2006 General[18] Bart Davis (incumbent) 6,985 60.0% Neil Williams 4,655 40.0%
2008 Primary[19] Bart Davis (incumbent) 1,495 74.7% Kenneth Walton 507 25.3%
2008 General[20] Bart Davis (incumbent) 9,456 64.8% Neil Williams 5,136 35.2%
2010 Primary[21] Bart Davis (incumbent) 3,173 100%
2010 General[22] Bart Davis (incumbent) 6,764 66.5% Neil Williams 3,411 33.5%
2012 Primary[23] Bart Davis (incumbent) 2,719 74.7% Brian Schad 921 25.3%
2012 General[24] Bart Davis (incumbent) 13,809 100%
2014 Primary[25] Bart Davis (incumbent) 3,635 100%
2014 General[26] Bart Davis (incumbent) 8,365 100%
2016 Primary[27] Bart Davis (incumbent) 2,392 100.0%
2016 General[28] Bart Davis (incumbent) 11,848 70.6% Jim Francis (W/I) 1,575 11.7%

References

  1. ^ Brown, Ruth (June 29, 2017). "Sen. Bart Davis nominated as Idaho's new U.S. Attorney". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  2. ^ "Idaho Senate Majority Leader Resigns to Serve as US Attorney". U.S. News & World Report. Associated Press. September 21, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2017.
  3. ^ "President Trump nominates Bart Davis as U.S. Attorney for Idaho". Spokesman.com. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  4. ^ "Senate Judiciary backs Bart Davis as Idaho's next U.S. Attorney; sends nomination to full Senate". Spokesman.com. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  5. ^ Balsamo, Michael (February 9, 2021). "Justice Dept. seeks resignations of Trump-era US attorneys". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  6. ^ "U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis Announces Resignation After Serving the District of Idaho for More Than 3 Years" (Press release). Boise, Idaho: United States Attorney's Office. February 11, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  7. ^ Harris, Senator Mark (July 16, 2021). "Senate Pro-Tem Chuck Winder Appoints Senator Bart Davis to the 2021 Reapportionment Commission". The Herald Journal. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
  8. ^ "2021 – Idaho State Legislature". Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  9. ^ Cenarrusa, Pete. "Idaho Primary Election Results: May 26, 1998". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  10. ^ Cenarrusa, Pete. "Idaho General Election Results: November 3, 1998". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  11. ^ Cenarrusa, Pete. "May 23, 2000 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  12. ^ Cenarrusa, Pete. "November 7, 2000 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  13. ^ Cenarrusa, Pete. "May 28, 2002 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  14. ^ Cenarrusa, Pete. "November 5, 2002 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  15. ^ Ysursa, Ben. "May 25, 2004 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  16. ^ Ysursa, Ben. "November 2, 2004 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  17. ^ Ysursa, Ben. "May 23, 2006 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  18. ^ Ysursa, Ben. "November 7, 2006 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  19. ^ Ysursa, Ben. "May 27, 2008 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  20. ^ Ysursa, Ben. "November 4, 2008 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  21. ^ Ysursa, Ben. "May 25, 2010 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on May 22, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  22. ^ Ysursa, Ben. "November 2, 2010 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  23. ^ Ysursa, Ben. "May 15, 2012 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on November 19, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  24. ^ Ysursa, Ben. "November 6, 2012 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on June 15, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  25. ^ Ysursa, Ben. "May 20, 2014 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  26. ^ Ysursa, Ben. "November 4, 2014 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  27. ^ Denney, Lawerence. "May 17, 2016 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
  28. ^ Denney, Lawerence. "Nov 8, 2016 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Boise, Idaho: Secretary of State of Idaho. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2017.
Idaho Senate
Preceded by
John Hansen
 Member of the Idaho Senate
from the 29th district
December 1, 1998–December 1, 2002 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the Idaho Senate
from the 33rd district
December 1, 2002–September 21, 2017 		Succeeded by
Legal offices
Preceded by United States Attorney for the District of Idaho
2017–2021 		Succeeded by
Rafael M. Gonzalez Jr.
Acting