Jeannemarie Devolites Davis
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 34th district
In office
January 14, 2004 – January 9, 2008
Preceded byLeslie Byrne
Succeeded byChap Petersen
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 35th district
In office
January 14, 1998 – January 3, 2004
Preceded byGeorge E. Lovelace
Succeeded bySteve Shannon
Personal details
Born
Jeannemarie Aragona

(1956-02-28) February 28, 1956 (age 67)
Swindon, England
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
SpouseTom Davis
ChildrenNichole, Ashley, Cassandra, Alexandra
Alma materUniversity of Virginia
OccupationConsultant

Jeannemarie Aragona Devolites Davis (born February 28, 1956) is an American politician. She served in the Virginia House of Delegates 1998–2004 and the Senate of Virginia 2004–2008.[1] She was a candidate for the 2013 Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia,[2] but was eliminated in the first round of voting at the 2013 Republican convention in Richmond, Virginia. Her husband, Tom Davis, was a member of the United States House of Representatives.

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell appointed Davis director of the Virginia Liaison Office in Washington, D.C. in January 2010.[3] She resigned in September 2012 to pursue an unsuccessful bid for lieutenant governor.[2]

Early life and education

Davis was born on a United States Air Force base in Swindon, England, where her father was a civilian employee.[4] The family eventually settled in Arlington, Virginia, where she graduated from Yorktown High School in 1974.[5] In 1978, she received a B.A. degree in mathematics from the University of Virginia.[6]

Davis has married twice. She had four children with her first husband, John Devolites. She married Tom Davis in 2004; it was his second marriage, also.[7]

Career

State House of Delegates

After losing two races for the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to Gerry Connolly, Devolites ran for the Virginia House of Delegates. In 1997, with Tom Davis as her mentor and chief donor[8] she won her race for member of the House of Delegates. She was elected to become the House Majority Whip, the first woman to serve in this position, before being elected to the State Senate.

State Senate

Davis served one term in the State Senate, losing her run for reelection in 2007. Her district was the most Democratic district held by a Republican in Virginia. Her Democratic successor is Democrat and former Delegate Chap Petersen, whose previous House district is enclaved in the 37th Senatorial District. Her top donor[8] was her husband's Political Action Committee (PAC), the Federal Victory Fund,[9] donating almost $25,000. Tom Davis's other PAC, the Va Victory Fund,[10] had also donated over $92,000 in her House races. Mrs. Davis also received another $55,616[11] from the National Republican Congressional Committee when her husband was the Committee Chair. This RNCC donation was the most donated[12] to any VA candidate not running statewide.

Voting record

On evaluations from Project Vote Smart,[13] on a scale of 100 from 2004 to 2006, Davis scored 67-100 percent from the Virginia Education Association, 50-71 percent from the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, and 78-84 percent from the Chamber of Commerce. She scored near zero from the Virginia National Organization for Women and all reporting abortion rights groups, 80% from the Chamber of Commerce, and a 94% from the conservative Family Foundation of Virginia.[14]

2007 endorsements

One newspaper and ten unions or business groups endorsed her 2007 election campaign: [15]

Electoral history

Date Election Candidate Party Votes %
Virginia House of Delegates, 35th district
November 4, 1997[16] General Jeannemarie A. Devolites Republican 11,233 51.30
George E. Lovelace Democratic 10,202 46.59
Marta S. Howard 457 2.09
Write Ins 6 0.03
Incumbent lost; seat switched from Democratic to Republican
November 2, 1999[17] General J A Devolites Republican 9,928 60.01
G E Lovelace Democratic 6,599 39.89
Write Ins 17 0.10
August 21, 2001[18] Republican Primary J A Devolites 2,064 82.83
A G Purves 428 17.17
November 6, 2001[19] General J A Devolites Republican 13,906 59.03
S A Bleicher Democratic 9,630 40,88
Write Ins 20 0.08
Senate of Virginia, 34th district
June 10, 2003[20] Republican Primary J A Devolites 5,240 74.89
L J Zone Jr 1,757 25.11
November 4, 2003[21] General J A Devolites Republican 22,690 52.75
R F Christian Democratic 20,267 47.12
Write Ins 58 0.13
Leslie Byrne was redistricted out; seat switched from Democratic to Republican
November 6, 2007[22] General J. C. "Chap" Petersen Democratic 25,513 55.33
Jeannemarie Devolites Davis Republican 20,490 44.44
Write Ins 102 0.22

Campaign finance references

A large percentage of her financial support is contributed from her husband, Tom Davis, and the Republican organizations he directs. Before Virginia's 2007 election cycle, his PACS had donated more than $172,000[26] to her campaign. In addition, she has received contributions from National Republican organizations directed by Mr. Davis including $300,000 to the Fairfax and Prince William's counties Republican Party committees[27] who in turn donated money and office space to Mrs. Davis; $55,616[11] from the National Republican Congressional Committee when her husband was Chair, $5,000[28] from the Republican Main Street Partnership, and $5,000[29] from Tom DeLay's ARMPAC.

Technology and telecommunications companies have been the largest contributors to Davis's and his wife's separate campaigns and political action committees; they donated more than $1.1 million of the $6.4 million given to the couple's campaigns.[30]

Affiliations

Former Senator Davis worked as a technology consultant for ICG government as of 2007,[31] a position that raised potential conflicts of interest. Previously, she worked as a statistical consultant to the law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.[15]

Davis belonged to a number of organizations as of 2007:[32] she was on the Board of Directors of Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts, Homeaid, and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA); Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Virginia International University; Member and Past President, Tysons Corner Rotary. She was a member of Tysons Vienna Regional Chamber of Commerce, Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, Oakton Women's Club, New Providence Republican Women's Club, American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and National Conference of State Legislatures, Board member of Lattice Incorporated.

Controversies

ICG Government

She was one of the first hires (as a part-time consultant) for ICG, a firm that assists businesses in obtaining and defending performance under government contracts. At the time of her hire, Congressman Davis was her mentor and campaign manager. ICG Founder and President Don Upson[33] is a longtime friend of Davis. After Devolites was hired by ICG, Davis, then divorced, married Devolites.

The financial benefits between Rep. Davis and his wife, from the ICG job as well as other campaign donations to Mrs. Davis, were highlighted in a June 2007 ethics report "Family Affair"[34] by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.[35] The report identified ethical questions on financial ties that benefit family members of 64 of the 435 voting members of Congress.

As of December 24, 2008, Davis continues to work for ICG. She reported to The Washington Post that she was paid $78,000 in 2005 for working "10 to 20 hours a week," primarily at home on her cellphone, she said. She made $18,000 a year as a Virginia legislator. Her ICG bio, which continues to describe her as a "Current Virginia State Senator for largest IT district", bio,[32] also is the only one on the ICG website to name a spouse.

Disclosures

During the week of October 22, 2007, the Davis campaign sent out 60,000 campaign flyers accusing Petersen of not disclosing that his former law firm was working on issues that Petersen voted on while in the House of Delegates.[36] The flyer did not mention that Petersen had not been involved in the legal issues for the client. The flyer included a copy of a section of Petersen's Statement of Economic Interest, which he filed while serving in the House. It includes Petersen's home address, telephone number, and the names of his wife and four children. This information was not redacted by the Davis campaign.

Petersen held a press conference on October 26 in front of Davis' headquarters in Fairfax. He said that "words cannot describe the anger I feel" about the flyer, and called it "shocking" that Davis would use his personal information in such a manner. Petersen said that advertising his personal information was not in and of itself a problem, but using his personal phone number and children's identification was not appropriate or safe in an attack ad. Such tactics, Petersen said, endangered his family. Mrs. Petersen complained of receiving two telephone calls related to the attack ad, and police presence appeared at the home, before the family vacated the house. In response, Davis said in her own press conference that because the information was public and included to supporters, it was appropriate for an attack ad. [36] [37] [38][39][40]

Because of the controversy, the Virginia Coalition of Police and Deputy Sheriffs withdrew its initial endorsement of Davis.[38]

Devolites Davis also claimed that Petersen's campaign uploaded a video to YouTube which brought up her daughter's armed robbery conviction of several years ago. However, according to Washington CBS affiliate WUSA, there is no evidence anyone from the Petersen camp uploaded the video.[40]

Notes

  1. ^ Kite, Sarah E. (February 22, 2004). "Jeannemarie Devolites: from Scout leader to senator". Capital News Service. Archived from the original (MS-Word) on September 1, 2006. Retrieved January 21, 2007.
  2. ^ a b Haines, Errin (September 24, 2012). "Jeannemarie Devolites Davis running for lieutenant governor". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  3. ^ "McDonnell announces appointments, says he'll reopen rest stops". The News & Advance. Media General News Service. January 13, 2010. Archived from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  4. ^ "About Jeannemarie". Jeannemarie Davis for Lt. Governor. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  5. ^ "Winter 2001". The Yorktown Alumnus. Alumni & Friends of Yorktown High School, Inc. Winter 2001. p. 10. Archived from the original (MS-Word) on September 28, 2007. Retrieved January 22, 2007.
  6. ^ "Virginia House of Delegates; Session 2003; Devolites, Jeannemarie A." Virginia House of Delegates. Archived from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
  7. ^ Rein, Lisa (March 12, 2006). "A War of Words, and Politics: Bill Fuels Friction for 2 Feuding N.Va. Lawmakers". The Washington Post. pp. C05. Retrieved January 22, 2007. married Devolites Davis in 2004
  8. ^ a b "Candidates: Show Committees". Archived from the original on August 23, 2007. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  9. ^ "Donor Profile: Money Out". Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  10. ^ "Devolites for Delegate: List Donors". September 28, 2007. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  11. ^ a b "Devolites for Delegate: List Donors". September 28, 2007. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  12. ^ "Donor Profile: Money Out". September 28, 2007. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  13. ^ "Project Vote Smart - Senator Devolites Davis - Interest Group Ratings". February 16, 2006. Archived from the original on February 16, 2006. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  14. ^ "The Family Foundation". The Family Foundation.
  15. ^ a b "Jeannemarie Devolites, State Senate, District 34". Vienna Oakton Connection. Connection Newspapers. October 17, 2003. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved January 22, 2007.
  16. ^ "1997 Election Results - HOD". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on July 24, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  17. ^ "Election Results - House of Delegates - Nov 1999 Gen Election". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on December 28, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  18. ^ "Primary Election- August 21, 2001". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on July 25, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  19. ^ "General Election- November 6, 2001". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on December 29, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  20. ^ "Election:Primaries - June 10, 2003". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on December 24, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  21. ^ "General Election- November 4, 2003". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on July 7, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  22. ^ "November 6, 2007 General Election Official Results". Virginia State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  23. ^ "Devolites Davis for Senate: List Donors". September 28, 2007. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  24. ^ "Federal Victory Fund: List Donors". August 23, 2007. Archived from the original on August 23, 2007. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  25. ^ "Candidates: Show Committees". Archived from the original on August 23, 2007. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  26. ^ O'Harrow, Robert Jr.; Higham, Scott (July 28, 2006). "Wife, Friend Tie Congressman to Consulting Firm". The Washington Post. p. A01. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  27. ^ "$300,000 to the Fairfax and Prince William's counties Republican Party committees". ABC News. Archived from the original on February 7, 2003. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
  28. ^ "Donor Profile: Money Out". September 28, 2007. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  29. ^ "Devolites for Delegate: List Donors". September 28, 2007. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  30. ^ O'Harrow, Robert Jr.; Higham, Scott (July 28, 2006). "Wife, Friend Tie Congressman to Consulting Firm". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  31. ^ "ICG Government; About ICG". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2007.
  32. ^ a b "Jeannemarie Devolites Davis" (PDF). ICG Government. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 22, 2011. Retrieved January 21, 2007.
  33. ^ "The Honorable Donald W. Upson" (PDF). ICG Government. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 22, 2011. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  34. ^ "Family Affair". Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. June 20, 2007. Archived from the original on June 20, 2007. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  35. ^ "CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington". CREW | Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
  36. ^ a b "Va. State Senate Race Turns Tense". NBC4.COM. October 26, 2007. Retrieved December 31, 2007.
  37. ^ Cohan, Stacey (October 26, 2007). "Accusations of Dirty Tactics in VA Senate Race". MyFox Washington DC. Retrieved December 31, 2007.
  38. ^ a b Gardner, Amy (October 27, 2007). "Candidate Cries Foul Over Mailing". The Washington Post. p. B05. Retrieved December 31, 2007.
  39. ^ "Virginia State Senate Race Heats Up". ABC 7 News. October 26, 2007. Archived from the original on December 1, 2007. Retrieved December 31, 2007.
  40. ^ a b Reals, Gary (October 26, 2007). "Personal Accusations Fly In Contentious Va. Senate Race". WUSA. Archived from the original on November 9, 2007. Retrieved December 31, 2007.

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