David Gowan

David M. Gowan Sr.[1] an American politician who currently serves in the Arizona Senate from January 14, 2019, and previously as Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives for the 2015-2017 legislative session and a Representative for Legislative District 14 from January 14, 2013, to January 9, 2017.[2] Gowan served consecutively from January 2009 until January 14, 2013 in the District 30 seat which redistricted into District 14 in 2012. In 2013, he was elected Majority Leader of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives. In 2015, Gowan was elected to serve as Speaker of the House. On October 5, 2015, Gowan announced his candidacy for Arizona's 1st congressional district, but withdrew before the Republican primary.[3]

David Gowan
Member of the Arizona Senate
from the 14th district
Assumed office
January 14, 2019
Preceded byGail Griffin
52nd Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives
In office
January 12, 2015 – January 9, 2017
Preceded byAndy Tobin
Succeeded byJ. D. Mesnard
Member of the Arizona House of Representatives
from the 14th district
30th (2009–2013)
In office
January 14, 2013 – January 9, 2017
Serving with David Stevens
Preceded byJonathan Paton
Succeeded byBecky Nutt
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
Alma materUniversity of Arizona
WebsiteCampaign website

Political career

David Gowan was first elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2008, representing Legislative District 30 which encompassed a large part of Southern Arizona, primarily Santa Cruz County, Arizona.[4] Between 2009-2010 he served as Vice Chair of the Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee. In 2010, he sponsored and introduced the House version of Arizona SB 1070.[5] In 2011, he served as Co-Chair of the Homeland Security Committee and became Chairman of the Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee.

In 2013 he was elected as Majority Leader of the Republican Caucus. Later that year, he joined 35 other lawmakers in a lawsuit against Governor Jan Brewer to stop Medicaid expansion.[6] In the 2015 legislative session he was chosen as Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives. During his tenure as Speaker, he has faced public controversy including approving inappropriately claimed travel reimbursements, revoking access of reporters to the House floor unless they agreed to a background check, and spending House funds on redecorating. In late April, he revered the requirement for a background check on reporters and repaid the funds to the State.[7] On October 5, 2015 he announced his candidacy for Arizona's 1st congressional district, but withdrew shortly before the Republican primary. In 2018, he ran for and won a seat in the Arizona Senate, succeeding Gail Griffin. The American Conservative Union gave him a lifetime rating of 92% in 2016.

Personal life

Gowan graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Secondary Education and Social Studies. He is currently married with two children and lives in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

References
  1. "David M. Gowan Sr". Phoenix, Arizona: Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  2. "David Gowan's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  3. Sander, Rebekah L. "Arizona House Speaker Gowan enters race for Congress". AZCentral. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  4. Arizona State Legislature. "Member Roster". Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  5. Arizona State Legislature. "SB 1070". Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  6. "Biggs v Brewer" (PDF). Arizona Superior Court. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  7. Santos, Fernanda. "Speaker David Gowan Reshapes Arizona House, From the Carpets on Up". New York Times. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
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