Bart McKay Davis (born March 7, 1955) is an American attorney and politician who served as the
United States Attorney for the
District of Idaho from 2017 to 2021. He previously served as a
Republican member of the
Idaho Senate, representing
District 33
A district is a type of administrative division that, in some countries, is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or counties, several municipalities, subdivisi ...
from 2002 to 2017. He represented
District 29
A district is a type of administrative division that, in some countries, is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or counties, several municipalities, subdivisi ...
from 1998 to 2002. During his time in the Idaho Senate, he served as state senate majority leader.
Early life and education
Born in
Rapid City, South Dakota, Davis was raised in
Idaho Falls, Idaho. Davis received a
Bachelor of Arts in English from
Brigham Young University in 1978 and a
Juris Doctor
The Juris Doctor (J.D. or JD), also known as Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D., JD, D.Jur., or DJur), is a graduate-entry professional degree in law
and one of several Doctor of Law degrees. The J.D. is the standard degree obtained to practice law ...
in 1980 from the
University of Idaho College of Law.
Career
Following his graduation from law school, Davis began his legal practice in Idaho Falls. He is admitted to practice before the
Idaho Supreme Court, the
United States District Court for the District of Idaho, the
United States District Court for the District of Arizona, the
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the
United States Supreme Court. In 1990, he was co-counsel with former
solicitor general Rex Lee in ''
Davis v. United States'' before the United States Supreme Court. Davis' parents were the petitioners in the case. Since 2001, Davis has represented Idaho as a commissioner on the
Uniform Law Commission. He is a past chairman of the
Council of State Governments
The Council of State Governments (CSG) is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization in the United States that serves all three branches of state government.
Founded in 1933 by Colorado state Sen. Henry W. Toll, CSG is a region-based forum that ...
.
Idaho Senate
In 1998, six-term incumbent Senator John Hansen did not seek reelection to the Idaho Senate. Davis ran for the open seat and was elected. He served as Majority Caucus Chair from 2000 to 2002, and from 2002 to 2017 has served as Senate Majority Leader.
U.S. Attorney
In June 2017, President
Donald Trump appointed him to become the next
United States Attorney in the
United States District Court for the District of Idaho. The
Senate Judiciary Committee on September 7, 2017, approved his recommendation by a unanimous voice vote. He was confirmed by
United States Senate by
voice vote on September 14, 2017.
On February 8, 2021, he along with 55 other Trump-era attorneys were asked to resign. On February 11, 2021, Davis submitted his resignation, effective February 28.
Redistricting
Senator Pro-Tem
Chuck Winder
Chuck Winder is a Republican member of the Idaho Senate. He serves as the president pro tempore of the Idaho Senate and previously served as the majority leader. He is married to Dianne Winder; the couple has two children.
Early life, educatio ...
appointed Davis to Idaho's Independent Redistricting Commission. Davis serves as co-chair of the commission.
Personal life
He married Marion Woffinden Davis in 1976 and together they have six children.
Writing
* Bart Davis,
Kate Kelly, and Kristin Ford, ''Use of Legislative History: Willow Witching for Legislative Intent'', 43 Idaho College of Law Review 585 (2007).
* Bart Davis, ''Idaho's Messy History with Term Limits: A Modest Response'', 52 Idaho College of Law Review 463 (2016).
Electoral history
References
External links
Biography at U.S. Department of JusticeIdaho Legislature - Senator Bart Davis- official government site
, -
, -
{{DEFAULTSORT:Davis, Bart
1955 births
Living people
21st-century American politicians
1998 Idaho elections
Brigham Young University alumni
Idaho lawyers
Republican Party Idaho state senators
Latter Day Saints from Idaho
People from Idaho Falls, Idaho
Politicians from Rapid City, South Dakota
United States Attorneys for the District of Idaho
University of Idaho alumni
University of Idaho College of Law alumni