Austin Davis is a Democratic State Representative representing the 35th District of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Elected in 2018[1] with over 73% of the vote,[2] Davis defeated Republican candidate Fawn Walker-Montgomery and became the first African American to serve as State Representative for the 35th District.
Austin Davis | |
---|---|
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representativesfrom the 35th district | |
Assumed office February 5, 2018 | |
Preceded by | Marc Gergely |
Personal details | |
Born | McKeesport, Pennsylvania, US | October 4, 1989
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Blayre Holmes ( m. 2017) |
Residence | McKeesport, Pennsylvania |
Alma mater | University of Pittsburgh |
Website | davisforpa |
While in high school, Davis founded and served as Chairman[3] of the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council under then McKeesport Mayor, James Brewster. After graduating high school, he attended the University of Pittsburgh where he earned a degree in Political Science. While in college, Austin was hired as a Legislative Intern by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. At the age of 21, the Tribune Review called him “a veteran at the politics of helping others.”[4]
Davis previously served as executive assistant to Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. In 2014 Davis became the youngest and the first black vice chair at the Allegheny County Democratic Committee.[5][6]
Philanthropy
Davis has served on the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh,[7] The Consortium for Public Education, Communities in Schools of Pittsburgh,[8] Auberle, Adonai Center for Black Males, Small Seeds Development, and the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Charter School.[6]
Personal life
Davis met his wife, Blayre Holmes, at the August Wilson Center in 2012. The two were married September 1, 2017. They live in his lifelong hometown of McKeesport, Pennsylvania.
References
- ^ "Democrat Davis wins Pa. House's 35th District to fill Gergely's seat". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
- ^ "Election Night Reporting". results.enr.clarityelections.com. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
- ^ "East Young Achiever: Austin Davis | TribLIVE.com". archive.triblive.com. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
- ^ "BLACK HISTORY MONTH: At 21, Davis is a veteran at the politics of helping others | TribLIVE.com". archive.triblive.com. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
- ^ "Democrat wins special election for state House seat in Western Pa". York Daily Record. USA Today Network. January 23, 2018.
- ^ a b "Davis becomes 1st African-American to be named vice chair of Allegheny County Democratic Committee | TribLIVE.com". archive.triblive.com. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
- ^ "Meet Pittsburgh YMCA Leadership and Staff". www.pittsburghymca.org. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
- ^ "Board - Communities in Schools of Pittsburgh - Allegheny County". cispac.org. Retrieved 2019-08-13.