David Whitaker (politician)

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This article is about the Arkansas state legislator. For other people named David Whitaker, see David Whitaker.
David Whitaker
David Whitaker (politician).png
Minority Leader of the Arkansas House of Representatives
In office
January 9, 2017 – January 14, 2019
Preceded byEddie Armstrong
Succeeded byCharles Blake
Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives
from the 85th district
Assumed office
January 14, 2013
Preceded byJohn Burris (Redistricted)
Personal details
Born
David Jeffrey Whitaker

(1961-04-08) April 8, 1961 (age 60)
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Lisa Raney
EducationUniversity of Mary Washington (BS)
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (JD)
WebsiteCampaign website
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Air Force
Years of service1983–1989
RankStaff Sergeant

David Jeffrey Whitaker[1] (born April 8, 1961)[2][3] is an American politician and a Democratic member of the Arkansas House of Representatives representing District 85 since January 14, 2013.[4] Whitaker was a candidate for United States House of Representatives for Arkansas's 3rd congressional district in the 2010 election.

Early life[]

He graduated from Granby High School in Norfolk, Virginia, but spent his early years growing up in Southern Georgia.[5]

Education[]

Whitaker earned his BA in Geography from University of Mary Washington and his JD from the University of Arkansas School of Law.

Military service[]

He served in the United States Air Force from 1983 to 1989 reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. While in the Air Force he served aboard the USNS Observation Island (T-AGM-23).[5]

Early career[]

In 1992 he was an editorial research intern with the Book Division of the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C.[6]

Legal & political career[]

During law school, he clerked for the Washington County Prosecuting Attorney, and served on the Law School's honor council.[5] From 1999 to 2000 he served on the Washington County Domestic Violence Task Force.[7] From 2001 to 2009 he served as an Assistant City Attorney for Fayetteville, Arkansas.[7] From 2007 to 2009 he served as the Chairman of the Washington County Democratic Party in Arkansas.[6]

From 2011 to 2013 he was a member of the adjunct faculty at Northwest Arkansas Community College.[6]

In 2013 he was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives to represent the 85th District defeating Paul Graham.

Personal life[]

He resides in Fayetteville, Arkansas with his wife, Lisa and their two daughters.[8][5]

Elections[]

  • 2012 With District 85 incumbent Representative John Burris redistricted to District 98, Whitaker won the May 22, 2012 Democratic Primary with 1,264 votes (74.1%),[9] and won the November 6, 2012 General election with 6,450 votes (56.0%) against Republican nominee Paul Graham.[10]
  • 2010 When Arkansas's 3rd Congressional District Representative John Boozman ran for United States Senate, Whitaker was unopposed for the May 18, 2010 Democratic Primary but lost the November 2, 2010 General election Republican nominee Steve Womack.[11]

References[]

  1. ^ "David Jeffrey Whitaker Profile | Fayetteville, AR Lawyer | Martindale.com".
  2. ^ Hubbell, Martindale (December 2007). Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, U.S. Government Lawyers, Corporate Law Departments, Law Schools (Volume 1 - 2008). Martindale-Hubbell. ISBN 9781561607884.
  3. ^ United States Public Records, 1970-2009 (Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, 1992-2005)
  4. ^ "David Whitaker". Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas House of Representatives. Archived from the original on July 6, 2016. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d Whitaker bio (Congressional Campaign)
  6. ^ a b c LinkedIn profile
  7. ^ a b REELECT Representative David Whitaker to Arkansas House District 85
  8. ^ Whitaker bio (new)
  9. ^ "Arkansas State Primary Election May 22, 2012". Little Rock, Arkansas: Secretary of State of Arkansas. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  10. ^ "Arkansas State General Election November 6, 2012". Little Rock, Arkansas: Secretary of State of Arkansas. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  11. ^ "2010 General Election U.S. Congress District 03". Little Rock, Arkansas: Secretary of State of Arkansas. Retrieved April 11, 2014.

External links[]

Arkansas House of Representatives
Preceded by Minority Leader of the Arkansas House of Representatives
2017–2019 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from ""