Sharice Davids

Sharice Davids is an American politician and former Mixed martial arts fighter, serving as the U.S. Representative for Kansas's 3rd congressional district since 2019, alongside Jake LaTurner, Sharman Burgess, and Tracey Mann. She is a member of the Democratic Party and has been involved in various organizations, including the National Congress of American Indians and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association. Davids has also been recognized by Emily's List and the Victory Fund, and has worked with Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, and Jim Clyburn.

● Early Life and Education

Sharice Davids was born in Frankfurt, Germany, to a family of United States Army veterans, and spent her early years in Leavenworth, Kansas, and Kansas City, Kansas. She attended Leavenworth High School and later enrolled in University of Missouri–Kansas City, where she earned a degree in Business administration. Davids also holds a Juris Doctor degree from Cornell Law School, where she was involved with the American Bar Association and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. During her time at Cornell, she worked with Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan, and was influenced by the work of Thurgood Marshall and Constance Baker Motley.

● Career

Before entering politics, Davids worked as a Mixed martial arts fighter, competing in organizations such as Bella Entertainment and Invicta Fighting Championships, alongside Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and Rose Namajunas. She also worked as a lawyer, specializing in Native American law and economic development, with organizations such as the National American Indian Housing Council and the Native American Rights Fund. Davids has been involved in various community organizations, including the Kansas City, Kansas branch of the NAACP and the United Way, and has worked with Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Kamala Harris on issues related to social justice and economic inequality.

● U.S. House of Representatives

Davids was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018, defeating Kevin Yoder in the general election, with the support of Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Hillary Clinton. She is the first Native American woman to serve in Congress, alongside Deb Haaland and Markwayne Mullin, and has been a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Committee on Small Business. Davids has worked with Peter DeFazio, Sam Graves, and Nydia Velázquez on issues related to infrastructure and small business development, and has been recognized by the National Federation of Independent Business and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

● Policy Positions

Davids has taken positions on various policy issues, including healthcare, education, and environmental protection, often working with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib. She has supported legislation such as the Affordable Care Act and the Green New Deal, and has been involved in efforts to address climate change and income inequality, alongside Greta Thunberg, Al Gore, and Bernie Sanders. Davids has also been a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive rights, working with organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign and Planned Parenthood, and has been recognized by the National Organization for Women and the American Civil Liberties Union.

● Elections

Davids was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018, winning the Democratic primary election against Brent Welder and Tom Niermann, with the support of End Citizens United and the League of Conservation Voters. She went on to defeat Kevin Yoder in the general election, with the support of The New York Times, The Washington Post, and MSNBC. In 2020, Davids won re-election, defeating Amanda Adkins in the general election, with the support of Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Stacey Abrams. Davids has been endorsed by various organizations, including the Sierra Club, the National Education Association, and the AFL-CIO, and has worked with Pramila Jayapal, Katie Porter, and Ayanna Pressley on issues related to progressive politics and social justice.