BLACK HISTORY: We need to talk about what a BFD this particular midterms win was
In an historic win, Pennsylvania has elected its first Black Lieutenant Governor.
Austin Davis, Governor-elect Josh Shapiro’s impressive young running mate and son of a hairdresser and union bus driver, got lost in the culture wars between Democrats and Republicans.
“If you felt unseen, unheard, and forgotten, this victory is for you,” he said. “As your next lieutenant governor, I will always be your champion,” Davis said.
Acknowledging the historic moment, Davis said that while he was “blessed by this opportunity and this responsibility, it was paid for by people who came before me, like [state House Speaker] K. Leroy Irvis … and all the activists whose names may not show up in print. They paved the way to this moment.”
Davis is a first-generation college graduate in his family, and after studying political science at the University of Pittsburgh, he began pursuing a career in public service.
Austin knew from an early age he wanted to dedicate his life and career to public service. Throughout his career, he has fought for economic equality, worked to lift people out of poverty and secure fair funding for education, and has been committed to bettering the lives of people in western Pennsylvania.
Chair of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation, and vice chair of the House Democratic Policy Committee, as well as serving on the House Appropriations Committee, House Consumer Affairs Committee, House Insurance Committee, and House Transportation Committee. Austin is also a member of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, Climate Caucus, and PA SAFE Caucus, Davis has made his mark.
“‘The people who are closest to the pain should be closest to the power,” Davis said.
The 32-year-old is staking his claim in the political realm, having already served multiple terms in the state legislature. It’s not lost to me that if I’m elected, I’ll be Pennsylvania’s first Black lieutenant governor. “I think government should look like the communities that it’s meant to serve. The people who are closest to the pain should be closest to the power, and I think you get an advocate in me who speaks to those issues.”
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