Duane Davidson

Last updated

Kathy
(died 2016)
Duane Davidson
Duane Davidson.jpg
23rd Treasurer of Washington
In office
January 10, 2017 January 13, 2021
Children3
Education Bellevue College (AA)
Central Washington University (BS)

Duane A. Davidson (born June 6, 1959) is an American accountant and politician who served as the 23rd Washington State Treasurer from 2017 to 2021. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Contents

Early life and education

Davidson was born and raised in the Snoqualmie Valley near the town of Carnation, Washington, into a family involved in dairy farming, logging and other small businesses. He graduated from Tolt High School, in Carnation. He attended Bellevue Community College before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington.

Career

Davidson is an actively-licensed certified public accountant (CPA). He was elected to four terms as Treasurer of Benton County, Washington. He took that office following his initial election in 2003. [1] During Davidson's tenure as Benton County Treasurer, available public documents show that total outstanding year-end debt dropped from $24.4 million as of December 31, 2012 [2] to $12.6 million as of December 31, 2016. [3]

Immediately prior to being elected as Benton County Treasurer, Duane was the Chief Financial Accountant for the county. Earlier in his career, as auditor for the Washington State Auditor’s Office, he served as the Assistant Audit Manager in the Tri-Cities in charge of the Walla Walla regional offices.

State Treasurer

Davidson was elected state treasurer by winning 58% of the statewide vote against another Republican. Davidson's youngest daughter, Grace, was his campaign manager for his 2016 election to state office. When his wife Kathy died in 2016, he contemplated dropping out of the race. Grace offered to be his campaign manager; she was 17 at the time. Duane has been vocal about the experience of having Grace run his campaign. Grace lead the Davidson campaign to victory and set multiple state records. [4] [5]

Davidson has said his agenda as State Treasurer includes emphasizing financial education for consumers, and particularly students. In a May 2017 visit to the Yakima area, he visited a Junior Achievement program focusing on financial education and emphasized the utility of successful learning models already in use, rather than the development of new curricula by state agencies. [6]

Davidson has raised concerns about Washington state's total outstanding debt, and annual debt service costs. [7] The state’s total outstanding obligations at the close of FY 2019 totaled $21.3 billion. He issues an annual report electronically by the request of the Legislature to each legislative member to provide an overview on the state's debt portfolio. [8] While a county treasurer, Davidson served three terms as president of the Washington State Association of County Treasurers (WSACT) and earlier served as the organization’s treasurer.

Retirement

On March 2, 2021, Davidson announced his candidacy for the Washington House of Representatives in the 8th district. In March 2022, Davidson withdrew from the race to focus on his work with local nonprofits and being a father and grandfather. [9] [10]

In October 2022, Davidson was appointed interim County Administrator for Franklin County, Washington. He served in that capacity until March 2023, with the appointment of Michael Gonzalez. [11]

Personal life

He and his wife Kathy (deceased 2016), had three children, Bailey (Justin Young), Luke (Tanisha) and Grace (Preston). Davidson is a long-time Kiwanian. He is the past-president for two separate Kiwanis Clubs in the Tri-Cities and served as treasurer for the Kiwanis Club of Tri-Cities Industry Foundation. [12]

Electoral history

Washington State Treasurer Duane A. Davidson is sworn in before a joint session of the State House and State Senate, in January 2017. Img.DD.SwearingInGoTo.jpg
Washington State Treasurer Duane A. Davidson is sworn in before a joint session of the State House and State Senate, in January 2017.
Washington State Treasurer, 2020 Election [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Mike Pellicciotti 2,089,15953.41
Republican Duane A. Davidson1,818,89546.50
N/Awrite-in3,3390.09
Washington State Treasurer, 2020 Primary Election [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Mike Pellicciotti 1,279,45253.22
Republican Duane A. Davidson1,121,88546.67
N/Awrite-in2,6040.11
Washington State Treasurer, 2016 Election [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Duane A. Davidson1,576,58058.15
Republican Michael Waite1,134,84341.85
Washington State Treasurer, 2016 Primary Election [16]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Duane A. Davidson322,37425.09
Republican Michael Waite299,76623.33
Democratic Marko Liias261,63320.36
Democratic John Paul Comerford230,90417.97
Democratic Alec Fisken170,11713.24
Benton County Treasurer, 2014 Election [17]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Duane A. Davidson38,215100
Benton County Treasurer, 2010 Election [18]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Duane A. Davidson46,829100

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Washington State local elections</span>

The following local races were on the ballot in Washington State during the 2006 election. The filing period for candidates for public office was July 24 through July 28, 2006. Washington State's primary election was held on September 19, 2006.

Washington's 4th congressional district encompasses a large area of central Washington, covering the counties of Douglas, Okanogan, Grant, Yakima, Benton, and Klickitat; and parts of Adams and Franklin counties. The district is dominated by the Yakima and Tri-Cities areas. With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+11, it is the most Republican district in Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clint Didier</span> American football player and politician (born 1959)

Clinton Bradley Didier is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for the Washington Redskins and Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He won two Super Bowls with Washington. A perennial candidate, he later sought elected office on four occasions. Didier was eventually elected to political office in 2018, as a Franklin County Commissioner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector</span> Elected official

The Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector is an elected Constitutional officer for the U.S. State of Oklahoma. The State Auditor and Inspector is responsible for auditing and prescribing bookkeeping standards of all government agencies and county treasurers within Oklahoma. The office in its current form is a consolidation of the office of State Auditor with that of the office of State Examiner and Inspector, both of which dated back to statehood in 1907. The two positions were combined in 1979 after passage of State Question 510 in 1975. Tom Daxon was the first person to hold the combined office and the first Republican as all previous occupants of either position were Democrats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Frerichs</span> American politician

Michael W. Frerichs is an American politician serving his third term as the State Treasurer of Illinois, after taking office on January 12, 2015. Before being elected treasurer, he was a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 52nd District from 2007 until 2015. The district, located in Champaign and Vermilion counties, includes all or parts of Champaign, Danville, Georgetown, Gifford, Rantoul, Thomasboro, and Urbana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Washington gubernatorial election</span>

The 2012 Washington gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2012. Candidates in the election were chosen in an August 7, 2012 primary election, under the state's nonpartisan blanket primary system, which allows voters to vote for any candidate running in the race, regardless of party affiliation. The two candidates who received the most votes in the primary election qualified for the general election.

Mark Anthony Miloscia is an American politician and former public school teacher who served in the Washington State Senate from 2015 to 2019. A Democrat for more than twenty years, in 2014 he switched to the Republican Party and ran for election to represent the 30th Legislative District in the state senate - winning by more than ten percentage points. In 2016, Miloscia ran for state auditor as a Republican, he lost the general election to Democrat Pat McCarthy by 5 percentage points. He represented the 30th legislative district for seven terms, from 1999 to 2013, in the Washington House of Representatives.

Jerrod Sessler is an American far-right political candidate and former NASCAR driver. He drove the #4 Ford Taurus in the Whelen All-American Series and the now-defunct NASCAR Northwest Series, which also had Greg Biffle and Kevin Hamlin as drivers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Troy Kelley</span> 10th Auditor of Washington

Troy Xavier Kelley is an American attorney, businessman, politician, and convicted felon who served as the 10th Washington State Auditor from 2013 to 2017, and is a member of the Democratic Party. He is a lieutenant colonel JAG officer in the Washington National Guard. Kelley was a member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 28th Legislative District from 2007 to 2013. In 2017 he was convicted of multiple counts of possession of stolen property, making false declarations in a court proceeding and tax fraud.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James McIntire (politician)</span> American politician (1953–2024)

James Leonard McIntire was an American economist and politician who served as the 22nd Washington State Treasurer from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as a member of the Washington State House of Representatives, representing the 46th district from 1998 to 2009. McIntire died on August 16, 2024, at the age of 71.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington</span>

The 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Washington were held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014, to elect the ten U.S. representatives from the state of Washington, one from each of the state's 10 congressional districts. The elections coincided with other elections to the House of Representatives, other elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections. The state certified the results on December 4. The nonpartisan blanket primary election was held on August 5, with the top two candidates for each position advancing to the general election.

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Indiana on November 4, 2014. Three of Indiana's executive officers were up for election as well as all of Indiana's nine seats in the United States House of Representatives. The Republican nominees won all three statewide elections and all of Indiana's U.S. Representatives were re-elected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Washington gubernatorial election</span>

The 2016 Washington gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Washington elections</span>

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Washington on November 8, 2016. The primary was held on August 2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1964 United States presidential election in Washington (state)</span>

The 1964 United States presidential election in Washington took place on November 3, 1964, as part of the 1964 United States presidential election. State voters chose nine representatives, or electors, to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Pellicciotti</span> 24th treasurer of Washington

Michael John Pellicciotti is an American attorney and politician who has served as the 24th Washington State Treasurer since 2021. He previously served as a Democratic member of the Washington House of Representatives for the 30th legislative district, which includes Federal Way, Algona, Auburn, Pacific, Milton, and Des Moines from 2017 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Washington elections</span>

General elections were held in the U.S. state of Washington on November 3, 2020. A primary was held on August 4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Washington Secretary of State election</span>

The Washington Secretary of State election, 2020, was held on November 3, 2020. Incumbent Republican Kim Wyman won reelection over Democratic nominee Gael Tarleton, the two having received the most votes in an August 2020 primary election. Wyman became the only Republican to hold statewide office in Washington and the entire West Coast. As of 2024, this was the last time a Republican won a statewide election in Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Washington Secretary of State special election</span>

The 2022 Washington Secretary of State special election was held on November 8, 2022. Incumbent Kim Wyman, a Republican, resigned from the office on November 19, 2021, to become the senior election security lead for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in the Biden administration's Department of Homeland Security. Washington governor Jay Inslee, a Democrat, announced he would appoint state senator Steve Hobbs as her replacement, the first Democrat to hold the office in more than fifty years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Washington State Treasurer election</span>

The 2024 Washington State Treasurer election was held on November 5, 2024, to elect the Washington State Treasurer, concurrently with the 2024 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the U.S. Senate and various state and local elections, including for U.S. House and governor of Washington. Washington is one of two states that holds a top-two primary, meaning that all candidates are listed on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation, and the top two move on to the general election.

References

  1. "Benton County Treasurer sets sights on the state job". Tri-City Herald . Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  2. "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report For Year Ending December 31, 2012 (p. 5)" (PDF). Benton County Auditor. June 27, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  3. "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report For Year Ending December 31, 2016 (p. 4)" (PDF). Benton County Auditor. June 28, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  4. "Duane Davidson wins over Michael Waite in state treasurer race". The Seattle Times. November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  5. "Politics Needs New Blood – And Youth Is No Barrier". Washington State Wire. May 9, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  6. "Best lesson on financial literacy found here in Yakima". Yakima Herald Republic. May 24, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  7. "Raise your drink to state's financial state, but watch out for the hangover". Tacoma News Tribune. July 8, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  8. "The State Treasurer wants Washington residents and the Legislature to know just how much debt the state has amassed, releasing a study on the state's debt portfolio and other financial obligations". Office of the State Treasurer (see News - "The State Treasurer wants Washington residents and the Legislature to know just how much debt the state has amassed"). January 16, 2020. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  9. "Former State Treasurer Duane Davidson announces candidacy for State Representative". Washington State Wire. March 2, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  10. https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/politics-government/election/article259750245.html.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  11. "County Administrator & Support Staff | Franklin County, WA".
  12. "Treasurer's Biography". Treasurer's Office website. June 28, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  13. "November 3, 2020 General Election Results - State Treasurer". results.vote.wa.gov. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  14. "August 4, 2020 Primary Election Results - State Treasurer". results.vote.wa.gov. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  15. "November 8, 2016 General Election Results - State Treasurer". results.vote.wa.gov. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  16. "August 2, 2016 Primary Results - State Treasurer". results.vote.wa.gov. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  17. "Benton County November 4, 2014 General Election". results.vote.wa.gov. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  18. "Benton County November 02, 2010 General Election". results.vote.wa.gov. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
Political offices
Preceded by Treasurer of Washington
2017–2021
Succeeded by