SAN DIEGO (Press Release) – In a personal letter to her constituents, Congresswoman Susan A. Davis on Wednesday announced that this is her final term in Congress.
“I have struggled to make this very difficult decision. I will not seek another term in Congress. My decision today represents a desire to live and work ‘at home’ in San Diego,“ wrote Davis, who is an active member of San Diego’s Jewish community.
Davis, the dean of the San Diego Congressional Delegation and only San Diego’s second woman to serve in Congress after Lynn Schenk, was first elected to Congress in 2000.
Davis is the second highest-ranking Democrat on both the House Education and Labor Committee and the House Armed Services Committee having chosen those committees to best represent San Diego’s strong education and military institutions. She serves as the chair of Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee where she focuses on expanding apprenticeships and making college affordable.
Davis has earned a reputation as a thoughtful, deliberative, accessible and hardworking Member of Congress focused on the needs of her constituents. Her office won the highly competitive “Best in Congress” awards from the Congressional Management Foundation for both Constituent Service and Workplace Environment.
During her soon to be 20-year tenure in Congress, Davis influenced many significant pieces of legislation. She opposed the Iraq War, supported and contributed to the seminal Affordable Care Act, initiated the first hearing on “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” as chair of the House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee and added many provisions to the national defense bill every year. She was integral in bringing large projects to San Diego including the San Diego State University Transit Center and the James M. Carter and Judith N. Keep United States Courthouse.
Before serving in Congress, Davis served in the California State Assembly and was President of the San Diego Unified Board of Education. A former social worker, she first became involved in politics through the League of Women Voters and by being active in her sons’ schools.
Davis made it clear she would finish out her tenth term in Congress with vigor and said she hopes her successor in office “will put public interest above self-interest.”
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Preceding provided by the office of Susan Davis.
Rep. Scott Peters (D-California) issued this comment: Today, Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) issued the following statement after Rep. Susan Davis (CA-53) announced she will retire at the end of her current term:
“Congratulations to my friend and colleague Susan Davis on her retirement from the United States House of Representatives. Her service in Congress over nearly two decades has made San Diego and our country better. She has been a fierce advocate for our military families and service members and championed expanding education and opportunities for Americans. As the senior member of our delegation, Susan was a model of exemplary service for all of us.
“I’m sad to hear this news, but I’m glad to hear Susan will remain active and continue her service to San Diego here at home—where she has made so much of a difference already. I wish Susan, Steve, and their entire family the best as they embark on this next chapter.”