David Gowan (politician)

David Gowan
Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives
Assumed office
January 12, 2015
Preceded by Andy Tobin
Member of the Arizona House of Representatives
from the 14th district
30th (2009–2013)
Assumed office
January 14, 2013
Serving with David Stevens
Preceded by Jonathan Paton
Personal details
Political party Republican
Alma mater University of Arizona
Website Campaign website

David M. Gowan, Sr.[1] is the current Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives and a Representative for Legislative District 14 since January 14, 2013.[2] Gowan served consecutively from January 2009 until January 14, 2013 in the District 30 seat which redistricted into District 14 in 2012. In 2013, he was elected Majority Leader of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives. In 2015, Gowan was elected to serve as Speaker of the House. On October 5, 2015, Gowan announced his candidacy for Arizona's 1st congressional district, but withdrew before the Republican primary.[3]

Political career

David Gowan was first elected to the Arizona House of Representatives in 2008, representing Legislative District 30 which encompassed a large part of Southern Arizona, primarily Santa Cruz County, Arizona.[4] Between 2009-2010 he served as Vice Chair of the Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee. In 2010, he sponsored and introduced the House version of Arizona SB 1070.[5] In 2011, he served as Co-Chair of the Homeland Security Committee and became Chairman of the Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee.

In 2013 he was elected as Majority Leader of the Republican Caucus. Later that year, he joined 35 other lawmakers in a lawsuit against Governor Jan Brewer to stop Medicaid expansion.[6] In the 2015 legislative session he was chosen as Speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives. During his tenure as Speaker, he has faced public controversy including approving inappropriately claimed travel reimbursements, revoking access of reporters to the House floor unless they agreed to a background check, and spending House funds on redecorating. In late April, he revered the requirement for a background check on reporters and repaid the funds to the State.[7] On October 5, 2015 he announced his candidacy for Arizona's 1st congressional district, but withdrew shortly before the Republican primary.

Personal life

David Gowan graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Secondary Education and Social Studies. He is currently married with two children and lives in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

References

  1. ↑ "David M. Gowan Sr.". Phoenix, Arizona: Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  2. ↑ "David Gowan's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  3. ↑ Sander, Rebekah L. "Arizona House Speaker Gowan enters race for Congress". AZCentral. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  4. ↑ Arizona State Legislature. "Member Roster". Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  5. ↑ Arizona State Legislature. "SB 1070". Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  6. ↑ "Biggs v Brewer" (PDF). Arizona Superior Court. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  7. ↑ Santos, Fernanda. "Speaker David Gowan Reshapes Arizona House, From the Carpets on Up". New York Times. Retrieved 1 July 2016.


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