Richard Joseph Davis
| Richard Joseph Davis | |
|---|---|
| 34th Lieutenant Governor of Virginia | |
|
In office January 16, 1982 – January 18, 1986 | |
| Governor | Charles S. Robb |
| Preceded by | Charles S. Robb |
| Succeeded by | L. Douglas Wilder |
| Mayor of Portsmouth, Virginia | |
|
In office 1974–1980 | |
| Preceded by | Jack P. Barnes |
| Succeeded by | Julian E. Johansen |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Richard Joseph Davis Jr. August 7, 1921 Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died |
March 4, 1999 (aged 77) Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Martha |
| Alma mater |
College of William & Mary University of Virginia |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service |
1942–1946 1950–1952 |
| Rank | Major |
| Battles/wars |
World War II Korean War |
Richard Joseph "Dick" 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]
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.
References
- ↑ "House Joint Resolution No. 130". Virginia Legislature. January 28 – February 3, 2000. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
- 1 2 3 Natasha Altamirano (11 January 2006). "Religion also guides Bolling and McDonnell". The Free Lance Star. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
- ↑ Larry Sabato. "The 1981 Gubernatorial Election In Virginia" (PDF). Cooper Center. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
- ↑ "VA US Senate Race". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
- ↑ "Commonwealth of Virginia November 8th 2005 General Election". sbe.virginia.gov. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Chuck Robb |
Lieutenant Governor of Virginia 1982–1986 |
Succeeded by Douglas Wilder |
 | ||