Gray Davis
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| Gray Davis | |
|---|---|
| Name | Gray Davis |
| Caption | Davis in 1999 |
| Order | 37th |
| Office | Governor of California |
| Lieutenant | Cruz Bustamante |
| Term start | January 4, 1999 |
| Term end | November 17, 2003 |
| Predecessor | Pete Wilson |
| Successor | Arnold Schwarzenegger |
| Office1 | 44th Lieutenant Governor of California |
| Governor1 | Pete Wilson |
| Term start1 | January 2, 1995 |
| Term end1 | January 4, 1999 |
| Predecessor1 | Leo T. McCarthy |
| Successor1 | Cruz Bustamante |
| Office2 | 27th California State Controller |
| Governor2 | George Deukmejian, Pete Wilson |
| Term start2 | January 3, 1987 |
| Term end2 | January 2, 1995 |
| Predecessor2 | Kenneth Cory |
| Successor2 | Kathleen Connell |
| Birth name | Joseph Graham Davis |
| Birth date | 26 December 1942 |
| Birth place | The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Sharon Ryer, 1983 |
| Education | Stanford University (BA), Columbia University (JD) |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Serviceyears | 1967–1974 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | United States Army Reserve |
| Battles | Vietnam War |
Gray Davis. Joseph Graham Davis (born December 26, 1942) is an American attorney and politician who served as the 37th Governor of California from 1999 until his unprecedented recall in 2003. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously held statewide office as the 27th California State Controller and the 44th Lieutenant Governor of California. His tenure was defined by significant policy achievements but ultimately overwhelmed by crises, including the California electricity crisis and a severe state budget deficit, leading to his removal from office.
Early life and education
Joseph Graham Davis was born in The Bronx to a middle-class family and later moved to Los Angeles. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Stanford University, where he was student body president. After graduating from Columbia Law School, he served as a captain in the United States Army during the Vietnam War, receiving a Bronze Star Medal. He began his legal career in Los Angeles before entering public service.
Early political career
Davis's political career began as an aide to Jerry Brown, then the Governor of California. He was elected to the California State Assembly in 1982, representing parts of Los Angeles County. In 1986, he won election as California State Controller, serving two terms and gaining a reputation as a fiscal watchdog. He was subsequently elected Lieutenant Governor of California in 1994, serving under Republican Governor Pete Wilson.
Governorship of California
Elected governor in 1998, Davis signed landmark legislation, including the nation's first state law reducing greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles and significant gun control measures. He appointed a record number of women and minorities to state courts and boards. His administration, however, faced mounting challenges, most notably the California electricity crisis of 2000-2001, which led to rolling blackouts and soaring power costs. Concurrently, the dot-com bubble burst created a massive state budget deficit, forcing difficult fiscal decisions that eroded his public support.
2003 recall election
Facing plummeting approval ratings, Davis became the second governor in U.S. history to face a recall election. The 2003 California gubernatorial recall election was a special election where voters decided both whether to remove him and, if so, who should succeed him. A field of 135 candidates ran, including actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante. On October 7, 2003, a majority voted to recall Davis, and Schwarzenegger was elected as his replacement, ending Davis's tenure.
Post-gubernatorial career
After leaving office, Davis joined the Los Angeles law firm Loeb & Loeb as an attorney, focusing on renewable energy and infrastructure projects. He has remained active in public policy, frequently lecturing at institutions like the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Southern California. He serves on several corporate and nonprofit boards and has been a commentator on California politics for media outlets such as Fox News and CNN.
Electoral history
* 1982: Elected to the California State Assembly from the 43rd district. * 1986: Elected California State Controller, defeating Republican Paul Gann. * 1990: Re-elected as Controller, defeating Republican Matt Fong. * 1994: Elected Lieutenant Governor of California, defeating Republican Cathie Wright. * 1998: Elected Governor of California, defeating Republican Dan Lungren. * 2002: Re-elected Governor, defeating Republican Bill Simon. * 2003: Recalled from the office of Governor in a special election.
Category:1942 births Category:Living people Category:Governors of California Category:California Democrats Category:California State Controllers Category:Lieutenant Governors of California Category:People from the Bronx Category:Stanford University alumni Category:Columbia Law School alumni Category:United States Army officers