Congressional career Tom Davis (Virginia politician)

davis outside east front of capitol in 1997

davis won election house in 1994, year of republican contract america. davis defeated one-term incumbent leslie byrne. contract america called citizen-legislators retire after 12 years, instead of career politicians. davis signed contract , voted in favor of citizens legislature act; however, bill did not achieve support 2/3 majority needed amendment pass. although 11th considered swing district, davis reelected 5 more times without substantive opposition in part due popularity in fairfax county. ran unopposed in 1998 , 2002.

in 2006, davis faced unexpectedly strong challenge democrat andrew hurst, reelected 55 percent of vote—his lowest total since initial bid against byrne. nonetheless, began fundraising senate bid in 2007. in 2004 term, on washington post deemed then-most recent key votes , davis voted 10 times out of last 13 times (77 percent) republican party position. on series of 1,700 votes reported washington post, davis voted on 89 percent of time in favor of republican position. nevertheless, davis described moderate; supported abortion rights , voting rights district of columbia, , opposed state car tax phase-out in 2006.

davis chairman of national republican congressional committee (nrcc) 1998 2002. according federal paper, sought chairmanship of house government oversight , reform committee. davis had less seniority other contenders chairmanship, republicans wanted reward him work nrcc chairman, including supervision of $160 million fundraising effort. davis s deputy on nrcc, tom reynolds of new york, became next nrcc chairman.