Artur Davis switches parties again, may run for county commission as Democrat

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Artur Davis was a Democratic member of Congress, serving Alabama’s 7th District for 8 years. In 2010 he lost his bid for Governor, and moved to Virginia where he switched to the Republican Party, even giving a well-received speech at the GOP convention in 2012. Last year he returned to his hometown of Montgomery in an unsuccessful attempt to run for mayor. On Tuesday Davis announced his next race could be for the Montgomery County Commission—as a Democrat once more.

“I have received a great deal of encouragement from my supporters in the mayor’s race to not only stay involved politically but to run for County Commission in District 1 in the March primary,” Davis told the Montgomery Advertiser.

The former congressman said he has not made a final decision, and has only sent out an email to supporters to test the waters.

That email, sent to supporters of his run for mayor said “I have decided to run for County Commission in District 1 next year, Dan Harris’ seat. I will be returning to the Democratic Party to run in the March 1 primary.”

Davis came under scrutiny from many conservatives in June when he suggested American’s vigilance in rooting out Islamic extremism has stood in contrast to their overlooking of rightwing “radicals” in the aftermath of the South Carolina murder of 9 African Americans by a white racist.

Now the politician said his policy positions are no longer in line with the Republican party he once embraced.

“Those same supporters have strongly urged me to return to the Democratic Party, and they have reminded me that the topics I campaigned on — a living wage for Montgomery’s working poor, an aggressive effort to revitalize neglected communities — don’t exactly line up with the Alabama Republican Party’s priorities.”

“To be sure, I am more of a centrist than many active Democrats and Republicans are today and my record has always reflected as much,” Davis continued. “I will add that I (sic) well aware that I would be joined in this primary by Judges Williams (sic) Shashy and Greg Griffin, two individuals who left the Republican Party to seek their offices as Democrats.”

Much like his mayoral race, Davis will be competing in a crowded field that includes an incumbent.

“It’s a free country,” said Montgomery County District 1 Commissioner Dan Harris when asked about a potential Artur Davis challenge. “Everybody is entitled to run. Everybody who can qualify. I do intend to qualify and seek re-election.”

Though he is a Montgomery native, Davis does not currently reside in the district he wishes to represent. The former congressman is, however, buying a house in Montgomery District 1 this month, two months ahead of the deadline to qualify for the election.