Debra Davis

Not to be confused with Devra Davis.

For other people with similar names, see Deborah Davis.

Debra M. Davis (born October 11, 1959) is an American politician who has served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 28 since 2019.^[1] A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served as a member of the Charles County Board of Commissioners from 2010 to 2018.

Debra M. Davis
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 28th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 9, 2019 Serving with C. T. Wilson, Edith J. Patterson
Preceded by	Sally Y. Jameson
Personal details
Born	(1959-10-11) October 11, 1959 (age 65) Cheverly, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Children	2 daughters
Occupation	Attorney

Background

Davis was born in Cheverly, Maryland, on October 11, 1959. She graduated from Frederick Douglass High School and later attended University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminology, and the University of Baltimore School of Law, where she earned a Juris Doctor degree. Davis was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1995 and to the District of Columbia Bar in 1996.^[2]

In 2010, Davis was elected to the Charles County Board of Commissioners, representing the Charles County District 2.^[2] During her two terms as commissioner, she gained the reputation as a maverick, often voting against the majority on issues large and small.^[3] During her second term, she also served as the Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Local Government Insurance Trust, becoming the first African-American to serve as LGIT Chair.^[4]

In January 2018, Davis announced that she would run for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 28.^[3] The district was targeted by the Republican State Leadership Committee in the general election,^[5] in which Davis placed third with 23.8 percent of the vote, behind incumbents C. T. Wilson and Edith J. Patterson.^[6]

In the legislature

Davis was sworn in on January 9, 2019. She was a member of the Judiciary Committee from 2019 to 2022,^[1] and has since served as a member of the Environment and Transportation Committee. She is also the House Chair of the Charles County Delegation and is a member of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland and the Women Legislators of Maryland.^[2]

Political positions

Crime and policing

Davis supports the removal of school resource officers (SROs) from public schools, noting that SRO programs in Charles County disproportionally affected Black and brown students,^[7] and reforms to make policing more equitable and humane.^[8]

During the 2019 legislative session, Davis expressed concerns with a bill that would require judges' names to be included in all online records, worrying that the bill would have a "chilling effect" on judges' independence.^[9]

In 2020, Davis introduced legislation that would require prosecutors to submit additional information about jailhouse informants before they could testify in a court case to identify whether they have a conflict of interest in the case.^[10] She also supported efforts to repeal the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights.^[11]

During the 2021 legislative session, Davis introduced legislation that would establish a statewide police use of force policy.^[12] The bill died in committee without a vote.^[13] She also supported a bill that would require counties to have a citizen review board for law enforcement officers.^[8] She also supported a bill to remove the governor of Maryland from the state's parole board.^[14]

In 2023, Davis introduced a bill that would establish a division in the office of the Attorney General of Maryland to oversee the Maryland Department of Corrections.^[15] The bill passed the Maryland Senate, but died in the House Rules Committee.^[16]

Education

In August 2019, Davis criticized Charles County's "Fresh Start Academy" pilot program, which separates violently disruptive students in kindergarten through second grade into smaller environments, saying that the county school system should instead prioritize improving its ratio of counselors to students.^[17]

During the 2021 legislative session, Davis introduced legislation to would expand access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assistance to eligible college students. The bill passed and became law.^[18]

In 2022, Davis opposed legislation to break up the College of Southern Maryland to create a new Charles County Community College.^[19]

Environment

In June 2017, Davis voted against the creation of a Watershed Conservation District in northwest Charles County surrounding the Mattawoman Creek watershed.^[20]

Marijuana

In March 2016, Davis sought to postpone a bill to allow for the growth and dispensing of medical cannabis in Charles County, saying that she believed the county had not fully looked into the issue and wanted to get the Charles County Sheriff's Office involved in the discussion. She voted against the bill when it came up for a vote.^[21] During the 2022 legislative session, Davis voted against a bill creating a statewide referendum on legalizing recreational cannabis in Maryland, saying that she did not think the state is not ready for legalization.^[22]

Social issues

In January 2017, Davis attended the Women's March in Washington, D.C.^[23]

Transportation

During her tenure as county commissioner, Davis supported the Cross County Connector, a proposed four-lane highway connecting east and west Charles County.^[24]

During her 2018 House of Delegates campaign, Davis said she opposed a bus rapid transit system implemented by the Maryland Department of Transportation as an interim solution while the state studies potential light rail projects in southern Maryland.^[3] She supports the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit, a 19-mile rail project from Branch Avenue Metro station in Suitland-Silver Hill to White Plains, Maryland, calling it a "future driver of economic development".^[25] In 2021, Davis introduced legislation to provide $25 million toward design and engineering work for the proposed transit line, which passed and was signed by Governor Larry Hogan.^[26][27]

Electoral history

Charles County Commissioner District 2 Democratic primary election, 2010^[28]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Debra Davis	4,823	43.3
	Democratic	Charles Carrington	2,714	24.4
	Democratic	Johnnie DeGiorgi	2,093	18.8
	Democratic	Bob Buehler	902	8.1
	Democratic	Leo Bachi Eyombo	610	5.5

Charles County Commissioner District 2 election, 2010^[29]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Debra Davis	25,091	55.6
	Republican	Rick Campbell	20,011	44.4
	Write-in		21	0.1

Charles County Commissioner District 2 election, 2014^[30]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Debra Davis (incumbent)	23,484	51.6
	Republican	Mike Bakir	18,082	39.7
	Write-in		3,958	8.6

Maryland House of Delegates District 28 Democratic primary election, 2018^[31]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Edith J. Patterson (incumbent)	10,346	27.4
	Democratic	C. T. Wilson (incumbent)	10,053	26.6
	Democratic	Debra Davis	8,725	23.1
	Democratic	Edward Holland	4,561	12.1
	Democratic	John Coller	4,043	10.7

Maryland House of Delegates District 28 election, 2018^[32]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Debra Davis	34,236	23.8
	Democratic	Edith J. Patterson (incumbent)	33,383	23.2
	Democratic	C. T. Wilson (incumbent)	32,793	22.8
	Republican	Jim Crawford	15,059	10.5
	Republican	Dave Campbell	15,010	10.4
	Republican	Maureen Janette Woodruff	13,318	9.3
	Write-in		159	0.1

Maryland House of Delegates District 28 election, 2022^[33]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Debra Davis (incumbent)	28,394	23.2
	Democratic	C. T. Wilson (incumbent)	27,959	22.8
	Democratic	Edith J. Patterson (incumbent)	27,792	22.7
	Republican	James Ashburn	13,867	11.3
	Republican	Marquita Bushrod	12,673	10.3
	Republican	Tyrone R. Hall	11,697	9.6
	Write-in		160	0.1

References

1. "Debra M. Davis, Maryland State Delegate". msa.maryland.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
2. "Debra M. Davis, Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On Line. Maryland State Archives. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
3. Lagasse, Paul (January 3, 2018). "County commissioner, attorney Davis runs for state delegate". Southern Maryland News. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
4. "LGIT Names Chas. Co. Commissioner Debra Davis, Esq. as Board Chair". Southern Maryland Online. December 22, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
5. Wood, Pamela (October 15, 2018). "National Republican group targets 15 Democrats running for Maryland House of Delegates". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
6. Ellenberg, Robin (November 7, 2018). "Multiple County Officials Win State Offices". Conduit Street. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
7. Soptelean, Caleb M. (December 17, 2020). "Charles students comment on school officers". Maryland Independent. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
8. Volland, Ryan (October 29, 2020). "Charles' Coates discusses diversity, equity at town hall". Maryland Independent. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
9. Donovan, Doug (February 11, 2019). "Bills in Annapolis aim to allow greater public scrutiny of Maryland judges". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
10. Broadwater, Luke (February 13, 2020). "When innocent people go to prison, jailhouse informants are often to blame. Some Maryland lawmakers want to change the system". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
11. Gaskill, Hannah (October 16, 2020). "House Police Reform Panel Recommends LEOBR Repeal, New Accountability Measures". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
12. Gaskill, Hannah (January 28, 2021). "Legislating Police Reform in 2021: 'We Really Do Have to Seize This Moment'". Maryland Matters. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
13. "Legislation - HB0139". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
14. Shwe, Elizabeth; Gaines, Danielle E.; Gaskill, Hannah (December 8, 2021). "Maryland Will Remove Governor from Parole Process, Limit Immigration Detention after Veto Override Votes". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
15. Ford, William J. (January 25, 2023). "Ombudsman proposed to ensure independent oversight of Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
16. Ford, William J. (September 6, 2023). "Maryland Attorney General Brown headlines conference to improve state's correctional system". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
17. Lagasse, Paul (August 2, 2019). "Public defenders discuss criminal justice issues at forum". Maryland Independent. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
18. Baker, Jordan (July 27, 2021). "New Maryland Law Dramatically Expands Access To SNAP Assistance, Anti-Hunger Services For College Students". WFMZ-TV. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
19. Kurtz, Josh (February 2, 2022). "Senator Stands Alone in Fight Over Regional Community College". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
20. Anfenson-Comeau, Jamie (June 9, 2017). "Charles County commissioners pass watershed conservation district". Maryland Independent. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
21. Anfenson-Comeau, Jamie (March 15, 2016). "Charles County commissioners pass watershed conservation district". Maryland Independent. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
22. DePuyt, Bruce; Gaskill, Hannah (April 1, 2022). "With Scant Enthusiasm, Lawmakers Approve Marijuana Legalization Bills". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
23. Watson, Tiffany (January 25, 2017). "'Nasty Women' march in Washington for women's rights". Maryland Independent. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
24. Newman, Jeff (May 3, 2013). "State, local officials confront 'rain tax' backlash". Maryland Independent. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
25. Kinsey, Darryl Jr. (May 25, 2022). "Cooperation brings needed funds for rapid transit in Southern Maryland". Maryland Independent. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
26. Soptelean, Caleb M. (April 14, 2021). "$5M in current budget for Southern Maryland Rapid Transit". The Herald-Mail. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
27. "Legislation - HB0414". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
28. "Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Charles County". Maryland State Board of Elections.
29. "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for Charles County". Maryland State Board of Elections.
30. "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for Charles County". Maryland State Board of Elections.
31. "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
32. "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
33. "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.