Greg Davids

Greg Davids is an American politician currently serving as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 26B. A member of the Republican Party, Davids has had a long career in public service, with his legislative tenure spanning multiple non-consecutive terms. His district encompasses parts of southeastern Minnesota, including the cities of La Crescent and Spring Valley, as well as portions of Fillmore, Houston, and Mower Counties. Davids has been involved in various legislative committees and has focused on issues such as taxation, health care policy, and economic development throughout his career.

Early life and career

Greg Davids was born on August 28, 1958. He completed his secondary education at Spring Valley High School and subsequently pursued higher education at Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa. He later attended Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in social science. Davids also engaged in graduate studies at Mankato State University in Mankato, Minnesota.

Before entering the state legislature, Davids began his political career at the local level. In 1986, he was appointed to the Preston City Council, marking the start of his public service. The following year, he was elected mayor of Preston, a position he held until he transitioned to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1991. His experience in local government provided him with a foundation in public administration and community engagement, which he would carry into his legislative role.

Legislative service

Greg Davids was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in a special election held on February 12, 1991. He succeeded long-serving Republican incumbent Elton Redalen, who resigned to take a position as Minnesota's Commissioner of Agriculture. Davids won a full term in the subsequent election in 1992 and continued to be reelected every two years until 2006. After a brief hiatus from the legislature, during which he was defeated by Ken Tschumper, Davids returned to the House in 2008, winning against Tschumper in that election. Since then, he has been reelected in subsequent elections, making him the longest-serving Republican member of the Minnesota House.

Throughout his legislative career, Davids has held various leadership roles. He has served as the minority lead for the Taxes Committee and has been a member of the Ethics and Higher Education Finance and Policy Committees. His leadership experience includes chairing the Taxes Committee during two separate periods of Republican control, from 2011 to 2012 and from 2015 to 2018. Additionally, he chaired the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee during the 2005-06 biennium and served as speaker pro tempore for the House during both the 2005-06 and 2011-12 sessions. From 1999 to 2004, he chaired the Commerce, Jobs and Economic Development Committee, further showcasing his involvement in a range of legislative matters.

Policy focus and district

Davids has consistently focused on tax policy as a central aspect of his legislative agenda. He has advocated for tax cuts aimed at both businesses and individuals, emphasizing the need for Minnesota's tax code to be competitive with those of neighboring Midwestern states. His proposals have included calls for the full repeal of the tax on Social Security and the elimination of the estate tax. During his tenure as chair of the Taxes Committee, he navigated significant budget negotiations, including a notable budget stalemate that led to a government shutdown.

In 2014, Davids supported a tax bill that provided substantial tax cuts, even during a period of Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) control of the legislature. He returned as chair of the Taxes Committee in 2015 and authored bipartisan legislation aimed at aligning the state's tax code with federal law, which provided tax relief to filers. His opposition to tax increases proposed by Governor Mark Dayton, particularly regarding the gas tax and taxes on high earners, has been a consistent theme in his legislative work. Davids has also supported initiatives to phase out commercial property taxes and provide tax credits for individuals with student debt.

In addition to tax policy, Davids has expressed critical views on health care legislation, particularly the Affordable Care Act and the state-run health insurance marketplace, MNsure. He has advocated for the elimination of MNsure and has supported the establishment of high-risk pools for health insurance. His legislative efforts have included authoring a bill to create a reinsurance program while opposing funding mechanisms that would impose tax increases on the health care industry.

Davids has also taken positions on various other political issues, including transportation funding and gambling legislation. He has opposed certain initiatives that he believes would divert funds from tax relief and other essential projects in Greater Minnesota. His political discourse has included controversial statements, such as a public disagreement with a fellow legislator regarding comments made about the demographics of House leadership.

In his personal life, Greg Davids resides in Preston, Minnesota, with his wife, Bonnie. They have three children. His long-standing commitment to public service and his active involvement in legislative matters reflect his dedication to representing the interests of his constituents in District 26B.