Bart Davis

Early life and education

Born in Rapid City, South Dakota, Davis was raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Davis received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Brigham Young University in 1978 and a Juris Doctor in 1980 from the University of Idaho College of Law.

Career

Following his graduation from law school, Davis began his legal practice in Idaho Falls. He is admitted to practice before the Idaho Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. In 1990, he was co-counsel with former solicitor general Rex Lee in Davis v. United States before the United States Supreme Court. Davis' parents were the petitioners in the case. Since 2001, Davis has represented Idaho as a commissioner on the Uniform Law Commission. He is a past chairman of the Council of State Governments.

Idaho Senate

In 1998, six-term incumbent Senator John Hansen did not seek reelection to the Idaho Senate. Davis ran for the open seat and was elected. He served as Majority Caucus Chair from 2000 to 2002, and from 2002 to 2017 has served as Senate Majority Leader.

U.S. attorney

First term

In June 2017, President Donald Trump appointed him to become the next United States Attorney in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho. The Senate Judiciary Committee on September 7, 2017, approved his recommendation by a unanimous voice vote. He was confirmed by United States Senate by voice vote on September 14, 2017.

On February 8, 2021, he and 55 other Trump-era attorneys were asked to resign. On February 11, 2021, Davis submitted his resignation, effective February 28.

Second term

On April 1, 2025, his nomination was sent to the United States Senate. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 7, 2025.

Redistricting

Senator Pro-Tem Chuck Winder appointed Davis to Idaho's Independent Redistricting Commission. Davis served as co-chair of the commission.

Personal life

He married Marion Woffinden Davis in 1976 and together they have six children.

Writing

• Bart Davis, Kate Kelly, and Kristin Ford, Use of Legislative History: Willow Witching for Legislative Intent, 43 Idaho College of Law Review 585 (2007).
• Bart Davis, Idaho's Messy History with Term Limits: A Modest Response, 52 Idaho College of Law Review 463 (2016).

Electoral history

References

References

1. (June 29, 2017). "Sen. Bart Davis nominated as Idaho's new U.S. Attorney". Idaho Statesman.
2. (September 21, 2017). "Idaho Senate Majority Leader Resigns to Serve as US Attorney". U.S. News & World Report.
3. "President Trump nominates Bart Davis as U.S. Attorney for Idaho". Spokesman.com.
4. "Senate Judiciary backs Bart Davis as Idaho's next U.S. Attorney; sends nomination to full Senate". Spokesman.com.
5. Balsamo, Michael. (February 9, 2021). "Justice Dept. seeks resignations of Trump-era US attorneys". The Washington Post.
6. (February 11, 2021). "U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis Announces Resignation After Serving the District of Idaho for More Than 3 Years". United States Attorney's Office.
7. (April 1, 2025). "Nominations Sent to the Senate". The White House.
8. (April 1, 2025). "PN60-7 — Bart McKay Davis — Department of Justice".
9. Harris, Senator Mark. (July 16, 2021). "Senate Pro-Tem Chuck Winder Appoints Senator Bart Davis to the 2021 Reapportionment Commission".
10. "2021 – Idaho State Legislature".
11. Cenarrusa, Pete. "Idaho Primary Election Results: May 26, 1998". [[Secretary of State of Idaho]].
12. Cenarrusa, Pete. "Idaho General Election Results: November 3, 1998". Secretary of State of Idaho.
13. Cenarrusa, Pete. "May 23, 2000 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho.
14. Cenarrusa, Pete. "November 7, 2000 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho.
15. Cenarrusa, Pete. "May 28, 2002 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho.
16. Cenarrusa, Pete. "November 5, 2002 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho.
17. Ysursa, Ben. "May 25, 2004 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho.
18. Ysursa, Ben. "November 2, 2004 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho.
19. Ysursa, Ben. "May 23, 2006 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho.
20. Ysursa, Ben. "November 7, 2006 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho.
21. Ysursa, Ben. "May 27, 2008 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho.
22. Ysursa, Ben. "November 4, 2008 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho.
23. Ysursa, Ben. "May 25, 2010 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho.
24. Ysursa, Ben. "November 2, 2010 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho.
25. Ysursa, Ben. "May 15, 2012 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho.
26. Ysursa, Ben. "November 6, 2012 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho.
27. Ysursa, Ben. "May 20, 2014 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho.
28. Ysursa, Ben. "November 4, 2014 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho.
29. Denney, Lawerence. "May 17, 2016 Primary Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho.
30. Denney, Lawerence. "Nov 8, 2016 General Election Results: Legislative Totals". Secretary of State of Idaho.