Austin Davis (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Austin Davis
|
|
|---|---|
Davis in 2022
|
|
| 35th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania | |
| Assumed office January 17, 2023 |
|
| Governor | Josh Shapiro |
| Preceded by | Kim Ward (acting) |
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 35th district |
|
| In office February 5, 2018 – December 7, 2022 |
|
| Preceded by | Marc Gergely |
| Succeeded by | Matt Gergely |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Austin Ankarie Davis
October 4, 1989 McKeesport, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Blayre Holmes
(m. 2017) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg (BA) |
Austin Davis, born on October 4, 1989, is an American politician. He is currently the 35th Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, a role he has held since 2023. Before this, he was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 35th district from 2018 to 2022. Davis is a member of the Democratic Party. He made history by becoming the first African-American lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania. He is also the youngest person ever elected to this position in the United States.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Austin Davis was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, on October 4, 1989. He went to McKeesport Area High School. While there, he started and led the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council. This council worked with the mayor of McKeesport, Jim Brewster, to help young people.
After high school, Davis studied at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. He earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in political science in 2012.
Early Career in Politics
While he was still in college, Austin Davis worked as an intern for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. An intern is someone who works to gain experience. In 2011, a newspaper called the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review wrote about him. They said he was already very good at helping others through politics.
Later, Davis worked as an executive assistant for Allegheny County executive Rich Fitzgerald. In 2014, he became the youngest and the first Black vice chair of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee. This committee helps guide the Democratic Party in Allegheny County.
Serving in the State House
In 2018, Austin Davis ran for a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. This was for the 35th district. He won the special election against the Republican candidate, Fawn Walker-Montgomery. Davis received more than 73% of the votes. With this win, he became the first African American to represent that district in the State House.
As a State Representative, Davis worked on different committees. These groups of lawmakers focus on specific topics. From 2021 to 2022, he was part of committees for:
- Appropriations (how money is spent)
- Consumer Affairs (protecting shoppers)
- Insurance
- Transportation
Becoming Lieutenant Governor
In December 2021, news came out that Austin Davis would run for Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania in 2022. He was chosen by Josh Shapiro, who was expected to be the Democratic candidate for governor. In Pennsylvania, candidates for lieutenant governor run separately in the primary election. However, they run together with the governor candidate in the main election.
On November 8, 2022, Josh Shapiro and Austin Davis won the general election. They defeated the Republican candidates, Doug Mastriano and Carrie DelRosso. This election was a big moment for Davis. He became the first African American to be elected lieutenant governor in Pennsylvania. He also became the first millennial (someone born between 1981 and 1996) to win a statewide office in Pennsylvania.
His Time as Lieutenant Governor
When Austin Davis was sworn into office, he was 33 years old. This made him the youngest lieutenant governor in Pennsylvania's history. He is also the youngest person currently serving as a lieutenant governor in the United States. In 2024, Davis was chosen to lead the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association. This group supports Democratic lieutenant governors across the country.
Personal Life
Austin Davis met his wife, Blayre Holmes, in 2012. She is the Director of Community Relations for the Pittsburgh Steelers, a professional football team. They got married on September 1, 2017. They live in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in September 2023.
Davis has also served on the boards of several community organizations. These include the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, The Consortium for Public Education, and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Charter School. He believes in giving back to his community.
See also
In Spanish: Austin Davis (político) para niños
