What Paul has been doing in the 3rd Congressional District since filing
March 31, 2020
Paul Davis, Democrat, W.Va. 3rd Congressional District candidate
by STAFF REPORTS
Tuesday, March 24th 2020
Paul Davis is a Democrat running in the 2020 Primary election for West Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Courtesy: Paul Davis Campaign)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS, WVAH) — Paul Davis is running as a Democrat for Congress in West Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District. The seat is currently held by Republican Congresswoman Carol Miller.
Davis is the general manager and chief executive officer of the Tri-State Transit Authority (TTA) located in Huntington. He also was past president of the West Virginia Public Transit Association and was named West Virginia Transit Manager of the Year in 2012.
He graduated from Marshall University with a degree in political science and a master’s in business administration.
Davis is from Huntington, where he lives with his wife. The couple has two adult sons.
To learn more about Davis, you can visit his campaign website or Facebook page.
All candidates running for Congress were asked to submit responses to an Eyewitness News’ questionnaire. Below are Davis’ responses.
1. Why have you chosen to run for West Virginia’s 3rd District U.S. House seat?
We deserve better! Like most Americans, I’ve watched our political representatives become so polarized that they are no longer governing for the people.
The political infighting has to stop or we will implode from within. We need to elect leaders who are looking out for everyone’s interests.
America was built on the backs of hard-working people. It seems to me that big corporations are totally devoted to the bottom line.
It’s time we concentrate our efforts on common everyday people.
2. What differentiates you from your opponents?
I come from a very poor working-class family. When I was born, my mother and father lived in public housing.
A few years later, my father landed a job at C&O Railroad. Things were better for my family for a while. Then we were dealt another blow, as my mother became addicted to prescription drugs.
My family had the same struggles that many families do every day. I know what it is like to wonder were the next meal is coming from.
I went to work when I was 14 years old. I’ll match my work ethic to anyone. I am not afraid of hard work.
For the last 31 years, I have worked for Tri-State Transit Authority and only missed five days of work in all of those years and that was due to suffering from a kidney stone.
3. Explain what you see as the most important issue facing the state.
The lack of hope! The loss of meaningful jobs and careers has played a role in the addiction crisis. People must have hope and be able to have a vision for a future.
West Virginia continues to lose population because our young people don’t see a future here.
The federal government must invest in Southern West Virginia. We need infrastructure, roads, water, sewer, broadband and, most importantly, we need to invest in our students.
4. How you are uniquely qualified to address that issue?
I feel that it is my purpose to give back to my community.
I have personally experienced many of the things that the people I hope to represent need help with today. I have fought hard for everything in my life and will use that drive and tenacity to fight for the citizens. I understand their struggles firsthand.
Here are a few things I’ve done in my professional career:
* I played a role in building Pullman Square in downtown Huntington.
* Brought nearly $100 million to Cabell County and the city of Huntington.
My community and state service include:
* Past president of the West Virginia Public Transit Association.
* Named Transit Employee of the Year by the West Virginia Division of Public Transit in 1997 and named West Virginia Transit Manager of the Year in 2012
* Past president of the Huntington Kiwanis and the Rotary Club in Huntington
* Past president of Hite-Saunders Little League
* Membership in Masonic organizations including a member of Beni Kedem Shriners in Charleston
* Past Master of Masonic lodge in Louisa, Ky.
* Member of the board of the Scottish Rite Foundation Speech and Hearing Clinic at Marshall University and served as the past chair.
* Member of municipal and county economic development and business associations.
* Serve as a member of the Huntington Live committee of the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce and as the chairperson of the Downtown Partners.
5. How would you address the following big picture issues? Please keep each answer to 200 words or less.
Education
Our teachers are professionals deserve an income that recognizes their responsibility to prepare our children for the world of work and civic engagement.
Too many of the proposed federal reforms for elementary and secondary education move us backward. We need to listen to our teachers to learn how best to support public education.
I’m opposed to charter schools.
Opioid Crisis
We need rational and systematic efforts to curb drug abuse. We need to arrest, prevent and treat.
I will work to grant greater coordination among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to track and break the commercial markets supporting drug trade.
I will work to support the in-school and after-school programs to help children develop the skills needed to avoid addiction.
I will work to enhance programs that treat the addicted. These efforts include our fine drug courts and community-based treatment centers.
I will fight for mental health parity, after-school programming and job enrichment.
Health Care
I’m a proponent of affordable health care for all. Congress should revise certain aspects of the Affordable Healthcare Act to find a way to make it affordable and accessible to the working poor, seniors and middle class.
Health care should be a right for every single man, woman and child in the United States of America.
Jobs and the Economy
West Virginians do not want handouts. We want real jobs that pay a living wage.
I will work to bring emerging commercial opportunities for West Virginia, including the aeronautics industry, alternative energy, cybersecurity and the rehabilitation of exhausted mines and innovations in farming technologies.
I will revise the Appalachian Regional Commission budget and mission to provide development grants to allow local communities to develop new sources of commerce.
I will revise federal labor laws to ensure full-time employment that provides a fair wage and access to affordable care.
I will work to provide incentives for corporations that expand to Appalachia, hire veterans, provide job training and support family and catastrophic leave.
6. What do you think it means to be a public servant?
Giving back to this great nation and the people who live in the United States. As we say in the Rotary Club, “service above self.”
7. What is the best advice you have ever received?
Just be yourself, don’t forget where you came from and don’t forget the “Golden Rule.” Treat all people like you like to be treated.
8. What is your ideal vacation?
West Virginia’s vacation place – Myrtle Beach. Just hanging out by the pool.
9. Who do you cheer louder for – WVU, Marshall, someone else?
I cheer for both since they are in our great state, but since I am a “Son of Marshall,” I cheer a little louder for the Herd. We Are . . . Marshall.
Thank you to WHAT Walnut Hills Action Team for planning this opportunity!
Cabell County March 10, 2020
And the box of fried apple pies I bid on are awesome!
Wayne County
March 7, 2020
Cabell County
March 5, 2020
March 2,
Summers County
February 29, 2020
Wayne County
Luncheon & Meeting
February 28, 2020
Cabell County
February 28, 2020
Wayne County
February 28, 2020
Cabell County
in Huntington.
February 20, 2020
Cabell County
I look forward to continue working you you all.
February 20, 2020
Cabell County
February 19, 2020
Cabell County
Cabell County
February 19, 2020
February 17, 2020
Mercer County
February 17, 2020
February 15, 2020
Milton Senior Center
Cabell County
February 12, 2020
Cabell County
February 11, 2020
We are going to view the damage and talk with residents about their current needs. The first stop is Crum then on to Kermit and Williamson.
Cabell, Wayne, Mingo, McDowell, Mercer, Raleigh & Fayette
February 8, 2020
Fayette County
February 5, 2020
Cabell County
February 4, 2020
Wayne County
Nick Guertin – Design Manager
February 3, 2020
“One Woman, One Vote”
Cabell County
January 21, 2020
Cabell County
January 20, 2020
January 20, 2020
About Paul
Because We Deserve Better
About Paul
Paul is the General Manager and CEO of the Tri-State Transit Authority (TTA).
Located in Huntington, the TTA employs 74 people and provides bus service to Huntington, Barboursville, and Milton in Cabell County; and Westmorland in Wayne County
Paul graduated from Marshall University with an undergraduate degree in political science and a Master’s in business administration.
He is an effective spokesperson for smaller transit systems and a state and federal leader in the transit industry. While working at the TTA, Paul brought nearly 100 million dollars to Cabell County and the City of Huntington.
Paul helped to bring funding for the Pullman Square development in Huntington.
Paul’s service in his community and state include:
- Past President of the West Virginia Public Transit Association
- Named Transit Employee of the Year by the West Virginia Division of Public Transit in 1997 and named West Virginia Transit Manager of the Year in 2012
- Past president of the Huntington Kiwanis and the Rotary Club in Huntington
- Past President of Hite-Saunders Little League
- Membership in Masonic organizations including a member of Beni Kedem Shriners in Charleston, WV
- He is a past Master of his Masonic lodge in Louisa, KY.
- He is a member of the Board of the Scottish Rite Foundation Speech and Hearing Clinic at Marshall University and served as the past Chair.
- He is a member of municipal and county economic development and business associations.
- In addition, he serves as a member of the Huntington Live committee of the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce and is the Chairperson of the Downtown Partners.
MY Core Values
VETERANS/MILITARY
Our veterans deserve the best care and support this great country can offer. Too many veterans do not receive proper medical care and live in poverty. I will stand and fight for all who served with valor to get those benefits and help they deserve! These proud men and women protected our freedoms. Now is the time for us to stand and deliver!
ELDERLY/Retirees
Retirement needs to be the golden years of one’s life. Those who have worked hard need to know that they will receive the medical and financial benefits promised them! People should not have to choose between paying their utilities or buying their medicine. Affordable medical care and Social Security need to remain part of the American dream.
EDUCATION
Our teachers are professionals who deserve an income that recognizes their responsibility to prepare our children for the world of work and civic engagement. Too many of the proposed Federal reforms for elementary and secondary education move us backward. We need to listen to our teachers to learn how best to support public education.
JOBS
We in West Virginia do not want handouts. We want real jobs that pay a living wage. I will work to bring emerging commercial opportunities for West Virginia, including the aeronautics industry, alternative energy, cybersecurity, and the rehabilitation of exhausted mines and innovations in farming technologies.
I will revise the Appalachian Regional Commission budget and mission to provided development grants to allow local communities to develop new sources of commerce.
I will revise Federal labor laws to ensure full-time employment that provides a fair wage and access to affordable care.
I will work to provide incentives for corporations that expand to Appalachia, hire veterans, provide job training, and support family and catastrophic leave
ADDICTION EPIDEMIC:
We need a rational and systematic efforts to curb drug abuse. We need to arrest, prevent, and treat.
I will work to grant greater coordination among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to track and break the commercial markets supporting drug trade.
I will work to support the in-school and after-school programs to help children develop the skills needed to avoid addiction.
I will work to enhance programs that treat the addicted. These efforts include our fine Drug Courts and community-based treatment centers. I will fight for Mental Health Parity, after school programming, and job enrichment.
HIGHER EDUCATION:
College students graduate with too much debt. We need to change our student financial aid policy from one that allows banks to charge high interest rates to one that invests in our students’ future. We need to provide debt forgiveness for students entering critical occupations and willing to work in economically distressed areas.
We also need to provide equal support for students entering colleges and universities, community colleges, and trade and vocational schools.