Dick Davis (politician)

Richard Joseph Davis Jr. (August 7, 1921 – March 4, 1999)[1] was the 34th Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 1982 to 1986 serving under Governor Chuck Robb.[2] A former mayor of Portsmouth, Virginia, Davis' 1981 election as Lieutenant Governor saw him win 8 of the 10 Congressional Districts composing Virginia in 1981; his statewide margin of victory over Republican state senator Nathan H. Miller was 150,000 votes.[3] In 1982, Davis ran for the United States Senate, but lost to Republican candidate Paul S. Trible Jr.[4]

Dick Davis
34th Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
In office
January 16, 1982 – January 18, 1986
GovernorChuck Robb
Preceded byChuck Robb
Succeeded byDouglas Wilder
Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia
In office
June 14, 1985 – May 10, 1986
Preceded byAlan Diamonstein
Succeeded byLarry Framme
In office
1979–1980
Preceded byJoseph T. Fitzpatrick
Succeeded byOwen B. Pickett
Mayor of Portsmouth, Virginia
In office
1974–1980
Preceded byJack P. Barnes
Succeeded byJulian E. Johansen
Personal details
Born
Richard Joseph Davis Jr.

(1921-08-07)August 7, 1921
Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
DiedMarch 4, 1999(1999-03-04) (aged 77)
Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Martha Whitfield
Lori Collins
Alma materCollege of William & Mary
University of Virginia
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Marine Corps
Years of service1942–1946
1950–1952
RankMajor
Battles/warsWorld War II
Korean War

Davis had the distinction of being the first Catholic elected to a statewide office in Virginia history.[2] Davis would remain the only statewide Catholic elected in Virginia history until the 2001 Virginia General Elections, when Tim Kaine was elected lieutenant governor, the same office Davis once held. Four years later, in the 2005 Virginia General elections, history was made again when Kaine won the governor's race and Bob McDonnell won the attorney general's race.[5] The elections of Kaine and McDonnell created a new record in Virginia history at that time: two Catholics elected to statewide offices.[2]

While Lieutenant Governor, Davis served in the executive branch with two fellow Democrats: Attorney General Gerald Baliles, who would be elected governor in 1985; and Governor Chuck Robb, who had preceded Davis as lieutenant governor.

Davis owned the Tidewater Sharks in the Southern Hockey League from 1975 to 1977.[6]

References
  1. "House Joint Resolution No. 130". Virginia Legislature. January 28 – February 3, 2000. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  2. Natasha Altamirano (11 January 2006). "Religion also guides Bolling and McDonnell". The Free Lance Star. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  3. Larry Sabato. "The 1981 Gubernatorial Election In Virginia" (PDF). Cooper Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  4. "VA US Senate Race". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  5. "Commonwealth of Virginia November 8th 2005 General Election". sbe.virginia.gov. Archived from the original on 28 December 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  6. Crossley, Drew (2014-08-30). "Southern Hockey League 1973 Archives". Fun While It Lasted. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
Political offices
Preceded by
Chuck Robb		 Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
1982–1986		 Succeeded by
Douglas Wilder
Party political offices
Preceded by
Elmo Zumwalt		 Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Virginia
(Class 1)
1982		 Succeeded by
Chuck Robb


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