Kathy Davis
Encyclopedia
Katherine L. Davis was the 46th Lieutenant Governor
of Indiana
, and the first woman to serve in that office.
in 1978 as well as a masters degree from Harvard Business School
in 1982.
Before serving as lieutenant governor, Davis was the Controller for the City of Indianapolis
. She also is a former executive with Cummins Engine Co., of Columbus, Indiana. She previously served as State Budget Director, Secretary of the Indiana Family & Social Services Administration (FSSA) and Deputy Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation. As head of the FSSA, the state's largest agency, she carefully directed the state's transition away from large facilities for MRDD and MI populations to more community-based facilities. In her role as lieutenant governor, she served as President of the Indiana State Senate, Commissioner of Agriculture, Secretary of Commerce and chaired the Indiana Counter Terrorism and Security Council.
Davis was appointed by Governor Joe Kernan and unanimously confirmed by the Indiana General Assembly
in October 2003. Davis was nominated for the position by Kernan who became governor following the death of Governor Frank O'Bannon
on September 13, 2003, and elevation of Kernan to the Governor's office.
to challenge incumbent Mitch Daniels
, who defeated Kernan in the 2004 election. In 2009, rumors began to circulate that she was considering entering the 2011 Indianapolis Mayoral race.
Lieutenant Governor of Indiana
The Lieutenant Governor of Indiana is a constitutional office in the US State of Indiana. Republican Becky Skillman, whose term expires in January 2013, is the incumbent...
of Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, and the first woman to serve in that office.
Biography
Davis was born in Boston, Massachusetts and earned a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
in 1978 as well as a masters degree from Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School is the graduate business school of Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, United States and is widely recognized as one of the top business schools in the world. The school offers the world's largest full-time MBA program, doctoral programs, and many executive...
in 1982.
Before serving as lieutenant governor, Davis was the Controller for the City of Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. She also is a former executive with Cummins Engine Co., of Columbus, Indiana. She previously served as State Budget Director, Secretary of the Indiana Family & Social Services Administration (FSSA) and Deputy Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Transportation. As head of the FSSA, the state's largest agency, she carefully directed the state's transition away from large facilities for MRDD and MI populations to more community-based facilities. In her role as lieutenant governor, she served as President of the Indiana State Senate, Commissioner of Agriculture, Secretary of Commerce and chaired the Indiana Counter Terrorism and Security Council.
Davis was appointed by Governor Joe Kernan and unanimously confirmed by the Indiana General Assembly
Indiana General Assembly
The Indiana General Assembly is the state legislature, or legislative branch, of the state of Indiana. It is a bicameral legislature that consists of a lower house, the Indiana House of Representatives, and an upper house, the Indiana Senate...
in October 2003. Davis was nominated for the position by Kernan who became governor following the death of Governor Frank O'Bannon
Frank O'Bannon
Frank Lewis O'Bannon was an American politician who was the 47th Governor of Indiana from 1997 until his death in 2003.-Background:...
on September 13, 2003, and elevation of Kernan to the Governor's office.
Political speculation
Since leaving office in 2005, Davis has been subject to speculation regarding future political pursuits. In 2006, her name was mentioned as a potential challenger to incumbent Republican Richard Lugar in the United States Senate. However, the Democratic party did not field a candidate to challenge Lugar. She had also been mentioned as a possible candidate in the 2008 Indiana gubernatorial electionIndiana gubernatorial election, 2008
The Indiana gubernatorial election of 2008 was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Republican nominee Mitch Daniels was challenged by Democratic nominee Jill Long Thompson and Libertarian nominee Andy Horning...
to challenge incumbent Mitch Daniels
Mitch Daniels
Mitchell Elias "Mitch" Daniels, Jr. is the 49th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Indiana. A Republican, he began his first four-year term as governor on January 10, 2005, and was elected to his second term by an 18-point margin on November 4, 2008. Previously, he was the Director of the...
, who defeated Kernan in the 2004 election. In 2009, rumors began to circulate that she was considering entering the 2011 Indianapolis Mayoral race.