David Haley facts for kids

David B. Haley (born October 29, 1958) is a Democratic politician. He has been a member of the Kansas Senate since 2001. He represents the 4th district, which includes parts of Kansas City, Kansas and eastern Wyandotte County. Before joining the Senate, he was a Kansas Representative from 1995 to 2001.

By 2023, David Haley became the longest-serving member in the Kansas Senate. He is still serving in his role today.

David Haley comes from a family involved in public service and writing. His father, George W. Haley, was a politician. His uncle was Pulitzer Prize winner Alex Haley.

Early Life and School

David Haley grew up in Wyandotte County, Kansas. This area is part of the larger Kansas City metropolitan area. His father, George W. Haley, was a very important figure. He was one of the first African-American state lawmakers in Kansas. He was also the first African-American ever chosen for the Kansas Senate. Later, in the 1990s and early 2000s, his father served as the U.S. Ambassador to The Gambia. David's mother, Doris, worked as a schoolteacher.

His uncle, Alex Haley, was a famous writer. Alex Haley wrote the well-known book Roots. This book was also made into a historic TV mini-series. He also helped write The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

David Haley went to Morehouse College in Atlanta, just like his father. After that, he studied law at Howard University in Washington, D.C.. After finishing law school, he returned to Wyandotte County.

Political Career in Kansas

David Haley first decided to run for a seat in the Kansas House of Representatives in 1994. When he won the first election round, the person who held the seat before him stepped down. David Haley was then chosen to finish that person's term. He won the main election for that seat and stayed in the House until 2001. That year, he was elected to the Senate.

He represents the 4th Kansas Senate District. Both his House and Senate districts are in Wyandotte County. This county has many different kinds of people living there. It is one of the most diverse areas in Kansas. About 43% of residents are Black, 37% are white, and about 24% are Hispanic. It is also one of the state's poorer districts.

In early 2025, David Haley received a lot of attention. He considered voting with Republicans on an important tax bill. This bill would have changed how taxes were collected. His vote was very important because it could have helped pass the bill even though the Governor, Laura Kelly, did not agree with it. Haley explained that the bill would not greatly affect his district, which had not received much tax money from either party. This situation caused a lot of discussion and pressure from both political groups.

What David Haley Cares About

David Haley has worked on several important issues. He has supported changes to the justice system. He has also pushed for more money to be invested in eastern Wyandotte County. This investment helps improve the area for its residents.