Sharice Davids facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sharice Davids
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kansas's 3rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2019
Preceded by	Kevin Yoder
Personal details
Born	Sharice Lynnette Davids (1980-05-22) May 22, 1980 (age 45) Frankfurt, West Germany
Nationality	American Ho-Chunk
Political party	Democratic
Education	University of Missouri–Kansas City (BBA) Cornell University (JD)

Sharice Lynnette Davids (born May 22, 1980) is an American politician and lawyer. She used to be a professional mixed martial artist. Since 2019, she has served as the U.S. representative for Kansas's 3rd district. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Her district covers much of the Kansas side of the Kansas City metropolitan area. This includes cities like Kansas City, Overland Park, and Olathe.

Davids was elected in 2018. She was the first Democrat to represent a Kansas congressional district in ten years. She is also one of the first two Native American women elected to the United States Congress. The other was Deb Haaland. Davids is the second Native American to represent Kansas in Congress. The first was Charles Curtis, who became vice president. Currently, Davids is the only Democrat from Kansas in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Sharice Davids' Early Life and Education

Sharice Davids was born on May 22, 1980, in Frankfurt, West Germany. She is a member of the Ho-Chunk people. She is officially part of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin.

Her mother, Crystal Herriage, raised her alone. Crystal Herriage served in the U.S. Army. Sharice's grandfather, Fredrick J. Davids, was also a U.S. Army veteran. He was born into the Mohican Nation Stockbridge-Munsee Band.

Davids went to several schools. These included Leavenworth High School and Haskell Indian Nations University. She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 2007. This was from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. In 2010, she earned her law degree from Cornell Law School. She lives in Roeland Park, Kansas.

Sharice Davids' Mixed Martial Arts Career

Davids started competing in mixed martial arts (MMA) as an amateur in 2006. She became a professional fighter in 2013. As an amateur, she won 5 fights and lost 1. As a professional, she won 1 fight and lost 1.

She tried out for a TV show called The Ultimate Fighter. When she didn't get on the show, she changed her focus. She decided to travel the U.S. and work with Native American communities. She helped them with programs for economic and community development.

Professional MMA Record

Amateur MMA Record

Sharice Davids' Legal and Government Work

Davids started her law career in 2010 at a firm called SNR Denton. Later, she led programs for community and economic development. This work was for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

In 2016, Davids worked as a White House Fellow. This was at the United States Department of Transportation. She worked there during the change from the Obama to the Trump administrations.

Sharice Davids in the U.S. House of Representatives

How Sharice Davids Was Elected

2018 Election for Congress

Davids with Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh.

In 2018, Davids ran for the United States House of Representatives. She ran in Kansas's 3rd congressional district. She won the Democratic primary election in August. She beat Brent Welder, who had support from Bernie Sanders.

During her campaign, Davids discussed her views on different topics. She talked about the agency that enforces immigration laws, ICE. She also discussed healthcare. She supported ideas like allowing Medicare to get better prices for medicines. She also wanted generic medicines to become available faster.

Davids won against the current Representative, Kevin Yoder, in the November general election. When she took office on January 3, 2019, she made history. She became the first Democrat to represent Kansas in the House since 2011. She and Deb Haaland of New Mexico were the first Native American women to serve in Congress.

2020 Election for Congress

In 2020, Davids ran for reelection. She had no opponents in the Democratic primary. She then faced Republican Amanda Adkins in the general election. Davids won with 53.6% of the votes. Adkins received 43.6%.

2022 Election for Congress

In 2022, Davids ran for reelection again. The district lines had changed, making it a bit more Republican. Even so, Davids defeated Amanda Adkins for a second time. She won with 54.9% of the votes.

What Sharice Davids Does in Congress

Davids (center) before a committee meeting with Reps. Deb Haaland (D-NM) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK)

On December 18, 2019, Davids voted to impeach President Donald Trump. She was the only person from Kansas to vote this way. In March 2020, she isolated herself because of possible exposure to coronavirus. She also changed her office to work mostly online.

Davids was chosen as a vice-chair for the 2020 Democratic National Convention. This is a big meeting where the Democratic Party chooses its presidential candidate.

Davids has supported President Joe Biden's ideas in Congress. She voted for the America COMPETES Act of 2022. This bill provides money for American manufacturing and science. It aims to help the U.S. compete with China. Davids added a change to the bill. Her change would help small and medium-sized factories. They could get funding to make medical supplies.

Davids also voted to support Israel after the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

Committees Sharice Davids Serves On

Davids works on important committees in Congress. These committees study different topics and create laws.

• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • United States House Transportation Subcommittee on Aviation
  • United States House Transportation Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
• Committee on Agriculture
  • United States House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit (She is the top Democrat on this one)
  • United States House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology

Sharice Davids' Leadership Roles

Davids also holds leadership positions within her party.

• Chief Deputy Whip

Groups Sharice Davids Belongs To

Davids is a member of several groups in Congress. These groups focus on specific issues.

• Congressional Native American Caucus (Vice Chair)
• Congressional Solar Caucus
• New Democrat Coalition (Vice Chair for the 118th Congress)
• Congressional Coalition on Adoption
• Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus

Recognition for Sharice Davids

In 2019, Representative Cheri Bustos praised Davids. She said Davids was one of the best new members of Congress.

In June 2019, Queerty magazine recognized Davids. They named her one of their Pride50 individuals. This was to mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. These riots were a key moment for equality and acceptance for all people. Davids was also named to the 2021 Fast Company Queer 50 list.

Sharice Davids' Election Results

See Also

• United States congressional delegations from Kansas
• List of Native Americans in the United States Congress
• Women in the United States House of Representatives
• 2020 Kansas elections