On The Record: J. Larry Davis

For this episode of On The Record, we speak with J. Larry Davis, the Anderson County Democratic Chair in Palestine. Anderson County is located in Senate District 3, represented by Republican Senator Robert Nichols.

How did you get started in politics? Did you come to it in your youth or later on?

My great grandfather was a Congressman in 1910, so you could say politics is in my blood. My parents were involved politically, but they were involved with the Republican Party. I remember being 4-years-old and my parents sticking a Nixon button on me. I grew up and realized I didn’t like Ike or Dick.

I supported Kennedy in the 1960 but my family was for Nixon. I grew up and went to college and then war, and I started a life for my family. The first campaign I was really involved with was phone banking for Dukakis.

What was your personal progression from the role of activist to the role of County Chair?

I was a precinct chair for years, and then the County Chair resigned so he could spend more time with his family and running his business. I am retired and I have the time to devote to the position. I filed for the position, unopposed, and was elected in 2004.

What would you say are the primary issues concerning Anderson County?

The big issue is the Historic Texas State Railroad. The funding was cut by the Texas Parks and Wildlife and the railroad was going to be shut down between Palestine and Rusk. The state had contracted out the care of the train to private companies, which is expensive.

A law had been passed for the taxes on sporting goods, camping supplies, and nature items to be used for funding the state parks, but it was cut down to only 35%. Texas parks are now ranked 49 out of 50. My wife ran for state representative because she was angry about the situation. She didn’t win, but it brought our state representative’s attention to an important issue in the community.

The parks are there for many middle class citizens to enjoy, and the upper class can take a vacation somewhere else. The middle class is the one being short-changed when parks are closed.

Another issue is the pay scale for state employees. We have five prisons in our area, and we have a lot of state employees in the area. The turn over is high in the community because the working conditions of the prisons are not favorable and the pay is low.

Who are some of your political heroes?

President Kennedy and Ann Richards.

Governor Richards was a wonderful governor and a beautiful lady. What can I say, she’s Ann and she is missed.

Ralph Yarborough was another political hero of mine. He used to say, “Let's put the jam on the lower shelf so the little people can reach it." I believe that is a good statement and not too many people think that way anymore.

What advice would you give to young people just getting into politics?

I suggest looking at the party platform and then deciding for whom to vote. It’s not good enough to just vote for a slogan, you should read the platform and see where the party is heading. The Republican Party’s platform is terrifying.

I’m a Democrat because I believe in the freedom of choice, constitutional rights and equal privileges.

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in politics?

You can’t always win, but you can keep trying until you do. Our county elects county officials that are Democrats, but we’re still trying to change the election of Republican officials to state seats in our area.

Tell us a little bit about the Anderson County Democratic Party, and your role as County Chair.

During the primary season I am very busy, but I am retired and I feel qualified for the challenge. The County Chair is responsible for everything for the primaries and getting them going like: hiring election judges, election software, recruiting candidates, applications for candidates, and budgets.