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Rodney L. Davis
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 13th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Judy Biggert
Personal details
Born	Rodney Lee Davis (1970-01-05) January 5, 1970 (age 55) Des Moines, Iowa
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Shannon Davis
Residence	Taylorville, Illinois
Alma mater	Millikin University
Occupation	Politician
Website	rodneydavis.house.gov

Rodney Lee Davis (born January 5, 1970) is an American politician who has been the United States Representative for Illinois's 13th congressional district since 2013. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Early life and education

Davis was born in Des Moines and is a lifelong resident of Taylorville, Illinois where he attended public school. Before attending college, he worked at a McDonald's that his parents operated. He graduated with honors from Millikin University in 1992 with a degree in Political science.

Early political career

After graduating from college, Davis worked for then-Secretary of State George Ryan. In 1996, he lost a race for the state legislature. In 1998, Davis managed the first re-election campaign for Illinois Congressman John Shimkus. Following the successful campaign, Davis accepted a position on Shimkus' Congressional staff. In 2000, Davis lost his second campaign, this time for mayor of his hometown, Taylorville. Davis served as Shimkus' Projects Director while simultaneously running for Congress.

U.S House of Representatives

Elections

2012

On May 19, 2012, the Republican County Chairmen for the 14 Illinois Counties comprising the 13th district nominated Davis to replace Illinois Congressman Tim Johnson, who had announced in April that he would not seek re-election. In addition to Davis, other finalists for the nomination were Jerry Clarke, chief of staff to fellow U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren and Johnson's former chief of staff; Erika Harold, a lawyer and winner of Miss America in 2003; and Kathy Wassink, a businesswoman. Davis was reportedly coaching his sons' little league baseball game when he was informed that he had been nominated.

Davis narrowly defeated David M. Gill in the election by a margin of 1,002 votes (0.3%)

2014

On June 13, 2013, former Miss America, Erika Harold, announced she is running against Davis in the 2014 Republican primary.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Agriculture
  • Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
  • Subcommittee on Horticulture, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture
  • United States House Transportation Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Aviation (Vice Chair)
  • Subcommittee on Highways and Transit

Political position

Abortion Davis considers himself pro-life and opposes public abortion funding and is against churches providing birth control.

Budget and Debt Davis does not support across-the-board cuts, however indicates that the nation needs to reduce its spending by targeting areas in the budget that are not using money efficiently. Davis supported the March 2013 budget that was proposed by Republican leader Paul Ryan.

Economy and Jobs Davis cosponsored the REINS Act (H.R. 367), a piece of legislation that would hold executive agencies responsible for costly regulations.

Davis is a proponent of building the Keystone Xl Pipeline and increasing the production of coal and other natural resources.

Education Davis supports the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and No Child Left Behind (NCLB).

Personal life

Davis married his high school sweetheart in 1995, and currently lives in Taylorville, Illinois, with his wife Shannon. They have three children. Davis also holds various positions throughout his community. Davis serves on the Board of Education for St. Mary's Church, where he also serves as Athletic Director. He coaches Taylorville Junior Football, is a member of the Taylorville Optimist Club, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Christian County Senior Center.

References

1. Rep. Rodney L. Davis. "Roll Call".
2. "Illinois, 13th House District". National Journal.
3. ^ Petty, Allison (May 19, 2012). "GOP picks Rodney Davis to face Gill". Bloomington Pantagraph.
4. "GOP chooses Davis for US Rep. Tim Johnson's seat". Associated Press. May 19, 2012.
5. "Ballots Cast". Illinois State Board of Election.
6. Last, Jonathan V. "Miss America vs. Mr. Incumbant". The Weekly Standard.
7. http://www.ontheissues.org/IL/Rodney_Davis_Abortion.htm
8. http://rodneydavis.house.gov/issues/budget-and-debt
9. http://rodneydavis.house.gov/issues/economy-and-jobs
10. http://rodneydavis.house.gov/issues/education
11. http://www.electrodney.com/index.php/about/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
12. "St. Mary School". St. Mary's Church.
13. "Rodney Davis' Biography". VoteSmart.org.

External links

• Congressman Rodney Davis official U.S. House website
• Rodney Davis for Congress

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Profile at Vote Smart

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|style="width:30%;" rowspan="1"|Preceded by

| style="width: 40%; text-align: center;" rowspan="1"| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 13th congressional district
2013–Present

| style="width: 30%; text-align: center;" rowspan="1"| Succeeded by

|- |- ! colspan="3" style="border-top: 5px solid #cfc;" | U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) |- style="text-align:center;"

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• 1970 births
• Living people
• Illinois Republicans
• Members of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois
• United States congressional aides