Profile: Cedric Davis, Sr., Democrat for Governor of Texas

The following is a compilation of the unedited responses from Cedric Davis, Sr., candidate for Governor of Texas, to the 2018 Amarillo Pioneer Voter Guide Questionnaire. Davis is running in the March 6th Texas Democratic Primary against eight opponents.

Name:

Cedric Davis, Sr.

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Office Sought:

Governor of Texas

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Occupation:

Public Educator

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Please list any of your political, civic or non-profit experience.

2016 - State Delegate – Texas Democratic Party (Bernie Sanders)
2008 - 2010: Mayor - City of Balch Springs, TX
2008 - 2010: Member - North Texas Super Bowl Committee Council of Mayors
2008 - 2010: Member - National Multi-Modal Transportation Steering Committee, 
2008 - 2010: Member - Dallas County Criminal Justice Advisory Board
2008 - 2010: Member – Greater Dallas Crime Commission
2007 - 2009: State and Federal Relations Liaison - City of Balch Springs, TX
2007 - 2008: Charter Review & Civil Service Commissioner - City of Balch Springs, TX
2005 - 2008: Member - BSEDC 4A Board of Directors
2005 - WHISD School Board of Trustee’s - Elect

Current Memberships:
Scottish Rite Masonic 32*/Shriner, CLEAT, Dallas County Elections Deputy Registrar, Southeast Dallas County Democrats, Texas & Dallas Coalition of Black Democrats, SkillsUSA - CRIJ/LE Advisor, TIVA, Criminal Justice Educators of Texas, Personal Mentoring (2013-17 I have assisted 36 students getting into institutions of higher learning)

Past Memberships:
Assoc. of Texas Professional Educators, Greater Dallas Crime Commission, Dallas County Criminal Justice Advisory Board, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Assoc. of Blacks in Criminal Justice, Fraternal Order of Police, Combined Law Enforcement Agencies of Texas, Arkansas Municipal Police Assoc., Balch Springs Chamber of Commerce, Texas Municipal League, US Assoc. of Mayors, Red Cross Volunteer, Pop Warner Athletic League Volunteer, Assoc. of Texas Professional Educators, Texas Public Notaries Assoc., NAACP.

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What is your educational background?

B. Sc. CRIJ - Sam Houston State University, Graduate Studies in Pub. Admin. -Tarleton State University, Exec. Law Enf. Mngr. - Tex. Law Enf. management Institute @ Sam Houston State University, Master Peace Officer, Police Instructor, Pvt. Security/ Pvt/ Investigator Mngr., SBEC Cert. Educator.

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Why did you decide to run for governor?

The Governorship is a life-long goal that was set at age fourteen, I knew I wanted to serve the people of Texas back then and I have built a very positive and quietly kept public service leadership record leading up to this run.

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Would you sign property tax reform legislation? Why or why not?

Yes, I would sign property tax reform legislation, because I believe Texas legislatures rely to much on property owners instead of spreading the cost out to various other entities.

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Under Texas law, non-judicial candidates are allowed to accept any amount of donations from a single donor. Would you support capping the amount that a single donor can contribute to one candidate during an election cycle? Why or why not?

Yes, I would support campaign finance reforms in an attempt to even the political play ground among all candidates.

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Under Texas law, political action committees are allowed to spend any amount in non-judicial races. Would you support capping the amount that PAC's can spend supporting a single candidate in a single election cycle? What would be an ideal limit for local races? Please explain.

Yes, I would capping PAC funds, however I don't have an ideal amount at this time.

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Would you support renaming the Texas Railroad Commission? Why or why not?

No, I do not see a reason to rename the titled position that is already in use.

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Would you support any legislation restricting the sale, ownership or carrying of firearms in Texas? Why or why not?

As a long time law enforcement I would say their are more than enough laws on the books for enforcement, I just think we should extend the 72 hour rule to a minimum of ten days.

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Do you believe that Texas judges should be elected in non-partisan elections? Why or why not?

Yes, they should because Judges should be just and display equity in judgement of people and remain unbiased toward a particular platform.

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Should hotel occupancy tax legislation be reformed? Why or why not?

No, I think many towns and cities rely on the additional hotel tax revenues from the visitors and tourist to fund much need public projects that benefits those residents of those municipalities and townships.

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Is Texas in need of the passage of ethics reform legislation? Why or why not?

Yes, because many politicians have stopped listening to the concerns of the tax payers and citizens. They have placed more emphasis on the interest of corporations and their own private interest. They also have come accustomed to having tax payers dollars to bail them out of personal liability claims.

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Are there any agencies, commissions or boards that you would support eliminating? Why or why not?

I would review each board on an individual basis to determined their value to the citizens of Texas.

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In 2017, Senator Don Huffines filed resolutions calling for term limits on Texas elected officials. Under Huffines' resolution, state legislators would have been limited to 12 years in office, judges would have been limited to 18 years in office and local elected officials would have been limited to 12 years in office. Would you have signed this legislation?

I support term limits on politicians, career politicians that stay in office for decades grow stagnate in their ideologies of governance, which fails the people of an every changing society.

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How are you better prepared than your opponent(s) to serve in the role of governor?

“I want my Fellow Texans to know I am better suited than the other democratic candidates because as a public servant leader, I have always worked hard for them. I also want them to know that I am the only" Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate in the 2018 election cycle with real experience in governing as the Chief Executor of a diverse city. The fact is I have worked very hard for more than three decades to build a public servant leadership resume that they can be proud of. I am absolutely committed to find better ways to improve our communities so that we may have a better quality of life. I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with so many of Texans and as a result, it can be shown the tangible beneficial change that happen for many of our citizens. Our movement is about people having a voice and seat at the table, with the help of Texans from all walks of life I will have the best chance to beat Gregg Abbott in the general election in November. I want to be Texas next Governor, and together we will work hard to find common sense solutions that improve the quality of life for all Texans.

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Are you supported by any political action committees? If so, which ones?

No.

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Why should voters choose you in 2018?

The fact is I have served my country, state, and community my entire adult life. I have worked very hard for more than three decades to build a public servant leadership resume that they can be proud of. I am absolutely committed to find better ways to improve our communities so that we may have a better quality of life. I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with so many of Texans and as a result, it can be shown the tangible beneficial change that happen for many of our citizens. Our movement is about people having a voice and seat at the table, with the help of Texans from all walks of life I will have the best chance to beat Gregg Abbott in the general election in November. I want to be Texas next Governor, and together we will work hard to find common sense solutions that improve the quality of life for all Texans. (“Let’s rack up the votes during early voting). Thank you, and God Bless you.