October 11, 2002
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Artur Davis, a Birmingham attorney who ousted a veteran congressman in a race that received national attention because of its connection to Middle Eastern politics, will speak at 4:10 p.m. Oct. 16 at Vanderbilt University on “Reviving the Democratic Party in the South: A Progressive Strategy.” Davis’ talk, which is free and open to the public, will be in Wilson Hall, Room 126. A reception will follow.
Davis, who is African-American, defeated five-term Rep. Earl Hilliard in Alabama’s 7th Congressional District. During the campaign, Davis criticized Hilliard, who is also African-American, for his outspoken criticisms of Israel and votes against resolutions supporting Israel and condemning the Palestinian suicide bombings. Hilliard countered by criticizing Davis for accepting financial support from pro-Israeli groups outside of the district. The race grew increasingly heated when Hilliard, who was the first black candidate elected to Congress from Alabama since 1877, received the endorsement of many prominent black officials, including the Rev. Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III. The 7th District, one of the nation’s poorest, has been home to many historic civil rights struggles through the years.
Davis was born and raised in Montgomery, Ala., and attended local public schools there. He won a scholarship to Harvard University, where he graduated summa cum laude. While at Harvard, he was a research assistant for Thomas Schwartz, now an associate professor of history at Vanderbilt. Davis also spent some time as an intern in the office of Sen. Howell Heflin. He then went to Harvard Law School, where he graduated cum laude.
After law school, Davis chose to return to his roots in Alabama, where he worked for the nonprofit Southern Poverty Law Center. He later clerked for Federal Judge Myron Thompson, one of the first African Americans to serve on the federal bench. After his clerkship, Davis became an assistant U.S. attorney in the criminal division, where he focused on federal drug offenses and white-collar crimes. After four years as a prosecutor, Davis established his own private practice in Birmingham.
Davis first ran against Hilliard in the Democratic primary for Congress in 2000, receiving 34 percent of the vote to 58 percent for Hilliard. Davis returned to his law practice and became a legal and political commentator for the local Fox TV-6 News. Davis is heavily favored to win the congressional seat for the 7th District in November, as he has no Republican opposition.
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Contact: Ann Marie Owens, 615-322-NEWS, annmarie.owens@vanderbilt.edu