Greg Davis (Mississippi politician)

For other persons with these names, see Greg Davis and Charles Davis.

Greg Davis
Mayor of Southaven, Mississippi
In office
1997–2013
Preceded by Joe Cates
Succeeded by Darren Musselwhite
Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives
from the 7th district
In office
1991–1997
Preceded by John Grisham
Succeeded by Wanda Taylor Jennings
Personal details
Born Charles Gregory Davis
(1966-02-22) February 22, 1966[1]
Memphis, Tennessee
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Suzann Davis (married 1991, divorced 2010)
Children 3 daughters: Kendyl, Allie, and Macy
Alma mater Mississippi State University
Profession engineer, politician
Religion Southern Baptist

Charles Gregory "Greg" Davis (born February 22, 1966) was the mayor of Southaven, Mississippi, the state's fourth largest city, for sixteen years. He was the Republican Party's nominee for Mississippi's 1st congressional district in the 2008 special and general elections.

Life and career

Davis was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Civil Engineering. Upon graduation, he began a career in engineering and consulting. From 1991 until 1997, Davis served as the youngest state representative in Mississippi and served on various committees including Appropriations and Public Health.

Davis was elected mayor of Southaven in 1997 and was elected to a third term in 2005. In 2008, he began a campaign to fill the seat of Congressman Roger Wicker, who had been appointed to the U.S. Senate following the resignation of Trent Lott.[2] The initial primary was a three-candidate race which resulted in a primary runoff between Davis and former Tupelo Mayor Glenn McCullough. Davis won the primary runoff and thus he was the Republican candidate in the special election.[3]

On June 4, 2013, Davis lost the mayoral election in Southaven and was succeeded by Darren Musselwhite, effective June 28, 2013.[4]

Congressional elections, 2008

In the initial April 22 special election for the seat, Davis placed second to Democrat Travis Childers, but no candidate received a majority of the vote required to win the seat outright. Childers and Davis faced each other in a May 13 runoff.[5] Davis lost the election with 46.3%, to 53.7% for Childers, who would fill the seat until the November election.

As the Republican nominee, Davis faced Childers again in the 1st district's November general election.[6] Childers won the rematch 54% to 44%.

Expense abuse investigation

Following an investigation by state auditors into questionable reimbursements, which included a purchase at Priape, a Toronto shop specializing in gay merchandise,[7] on December 15, 2011, Davis publicly acknowledged that he is gay. Davis said, "At this point in my life and in my career, while I have tried to maintain separation between my personal and public life, it is obvious that this can no longer remain the case. While I have performed my job as mayor, in my opinion, as a very conservative, progressive individual -- and still continue to be a very conservative individual -- I think that it is important that I discuss the struggles I have had over the last few years when I came to the realization that I am gay. The only apology I would make to my supporters if they are upset is the fact that I was not honest enough with myself to be honest with them. But I have lived my life in public service for 20-plus years, and in order for me to remain sane and move on, I have got to start being honest about who I am."[8][9]

In December 2012, Davis was indicted on state charges of embezzlement, false pretense and making fraudulent statements. He was arrested and released on $3,500 bail.[10] He was eventually convicted and sentenced in July 2014 to serve 2 1/2 years in state prison and pay more than $17,000 to the city.[11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ djournal.com: 2008 Voter's Guide
  2. ↑ commercialappeal.com: Southaven mayor hopes to represent First District in Congress
  3. ↑ Clarion Ledger: Election '08: Field set for congressional races
  4. ↑ WREG-TV: Southaven Incumbent Mayor Concedes Race, June 4, 2013
  5. ↑ Clarion Ledger: Mississippi - County Vote Results, April 22, 2008
  6. ↑ Clarion Ledger: Childers wins 1st District for Democrats
  7. ↑ Kirsten Boyd Johnson, Wonkette: Mississippi Mayor Outed After Visiting Gay Sex Shop With City Credit Card, December 16, 2011. Accessed December 17, 2011.
  8. ↑ The Commercial Appeal: Southaven Mayor Greg Davis' expense receipts prompt frank revelation, December 16, 2011
  9. ↑ Yahoo News: Mayor Reveals He is Gay…After Visiting Gay Sex Shop on City’s Dime, December 17, 2011. Accessed December 17, 2011.
  10. ↑ Jackson Clarion-Ledger: Mayor of Southaven Greg Davis indicted, December 18, 2012. Accessed December 23, 2012.
  11. ↑ Gulf Live: Former Southaven mayor Greg Davis sentenced to 30 months in state prison, July 10, 2014. Accessed September 12, 2014.
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