Gray Davis

Joseph Graham Davis Jr. (born December 26, 1942), best known as Gray Davis, is an American politician who served as the 37th Governor of California from 1999 to 2003. He was re-elected to a second term in 2002, but on October 7, 2003, he became the second governor to be recalled in American history. He was succeeded by Republican Arnold A. Schwarzenegger on November 17, 2003 (see 2003 California recall). He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Personal background

Born in New York, New York, Davis moved to California with his family as a child in 1954. He graduated from a North Hollywood military academy, the Harvard School for Boys (now part of Harvard-Westlake School). He earned a BA in history at Stanford University, where he was admitted to the Zeta Psi fraternity, graduating in 1964. He then returned to New York to attend Columbia Law School. After completing the program in 1967 he entered active duty in the United States Army, serving in the Vietnam War until 1969.

Related Topics:
New York - New York - California - 1954 - North Hollywood - Military academy - Harvard-Westlake School - BA - History - Stanford University - Zeta Psi - 1964 - Columbia Law School - 1967 - United States Army - Vietnam War - 1969

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Davis returned to California and entered politics, serving as Executive Secretary and Chief of Staff to Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown Jr. from 1974 to 1981. He met his future wife, the former Sharon Ryer, while on an airplane tending to official business in 1978. Ryer, a flight attendant for Pacific Southwest Airlines, was miffed when Davis held up the departure of the flight from Sacramento to Los Angeles. Davis apologized and asked her out, and they later married in 1983, with California Supreme Court justice Rose Bird officiating. He was elected to the office of Assemblyman from the 43rd district (Los Angeles County) from 1983 to 1987, then as State Controller until 1995. He was Lieutenant Governor until 1999, after winning the 1998 election for Governor with 57.97% of the vote, defeating Republican Dan Lungren who had 38.4%.

Related Topics:
Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown Jr. - 1974 - 1981 - 1978 - Pacific Southwest Airlines - 1983 - California Supreme Court - Rose Bird - Assemblyman - Los Angeles County - 1987 - State Controller - 1995 - Lieutenant Governor - 1999 - Dan Lungren

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