Susan Davis served as the U.S. representative for California’s 53rd congressional district for ten terms from 2001 to 2021. As a member of Congress, her district included central and eastern portions of the city of San Diego, as well as eastern suburbs such as El Cajon, La Mesa, Spring Valley, and Lemon Grove. Her legislative leadership includes authorship of provisions of an OB/GYN bill which became part of a health care reform bill enacted into law. Her roles in Congress also included leadership as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development and work as a member of the House Armed Services Committee.
Congressmember Davis holds a master’s degree in social work from UNC Chapel Hill, and she began her career as a social worker in San Diego. She first became active in politics through her membership in the local branch of the League of Women Voters, of which she became president in 1977. She was elected to the board of the San Diego Unified School District in 1983. She served there until 1992, including two years as president. In 1994, she was elected to the California State Assembly, and was reelected in 1996 and 1998. In the Assembly, Davis chaired the Committee on Consumer Protection, Government Efficiency and Economic Development.
