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June 28, 2002/Tamuz 18 5762, Vol. 54, No. 41
Cohen-Davis takes a stand
BARRY COHEN
Editor
A first-time candidate for public office sees herself using her religious ideals to "take a stand" to improve the quality of life in Arizona.
"The Jewish religion is a lot about survival and taking a stand and educating yourself and being a leader," says Audrey Cohen-Davis, a Republican contender for one of two Arizona House of Representatives seats representing District 7, in northeast Phoenix and northwest Scottsdale.
The primary election is Sept. 10, and the general election Nov. 5.
Growing up, her family shared with her stories of the anti-Semitism her grandparents and great grandparents faced when arriving in the United States, she notes. To overcome this prejudice - which to a degree still exists - she learned to adapt a mentality to educate herself and work hard, says Cohen-Davis.
"You don't just sit back and (complain about) what is handed you. You try to do something about it," she says.
Cohen-Davis says she has chosen to run for office to help make Arizona more livable.
She cites three issues she hopes to address should she win a seat: education, responsible growth and protection of business.
"Arizona has to take a stand if it's going to have viable students coming out of school who can compete either on a collegiate level or in the business world," she notes.
Land development is a driving issue in District 7, says Cohen-Davis. The state legislature must find a balance between the needs and concerns of preservationists, commercial developers and residences, she notes.
Lastly, Arizona must become less dependent on service-oriented businesses to maintain economic growth, she says.
Of her party affiliation, Cohen-Davis explains: "I grew up in a household where there was a split ... but where we also respected differences of opinion." Her father is a Republican, her mother a Democrat. She describes herself as fiscally conservative but moderate with social issues.
Cohen-Davis grew up in Lower Bucks County, near Philadelphia, where she participated in a high school B'nai B'rith youth group. She earned undergraduate, law and business degrees from Temple University and was active with Hillel at both Temple and the University of Pennsylvania.
After practicing law in Philadelphia for four years, she moved to the Valley in 1997 to help set up the division of a company based in Denver. However, based on disagreements among partners, it never came to fruition, she says.
After taking the Arizona bar exam, she joined the Law Offices of Donald Hudspeth, a business law firm that specializes in company start-ups and negotiation.
Cohen-Davis says her work experience - particularly looking for compromises during negotiations - has given her good training for political office.
Cohen-Davis also points to her experience with the Arizona Women's Political Caucus, the executive counsel of the State Bar Business Law Section, and the Arizona Women's Lawyer Association as additional valuable preparation for serving in the state legislature.
Cohen-Davis is married to Trey Davis, a native of Bogolusa, La. He is executive chef at the Arizona Biltmore.
They are members of Temple Chai of Phoenix.
Cohen-Davis has set up a campaign Web site at www.cohen-davis.com.
Other contenders for the two District 7 seats are Republicans John Allen, Ray Barnes, Susan Clancy, Kenneth Miller and Thom Von Hapsburg. Democrat Virgel Cain is the only Democratic candidate.
This is the first in a series of profiles of candidates in the fall elections who are members of the Valley's Jewish community.
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