Local paper questions Texas legislator Wendy Davis on facts from her life
Texas State Seantor Wendy Davis made headlines for her filibuster against the Texas abortion law, but now be taking center stage after local media are questioning many of alleged accomplishments in her background.
According to the Dallas Morning News, “Davis acknowledged some chronological errors and incomplete details in what she and her aides have said about her life.”
Davis appears to be making a case to run for Governor of Texas and uses her tales of personal struggle and success as the centerpiece to her campaign.
“The basic elements of the narrative are true, but the full story of Davis’ life is more complicated, as often happens when public figures aim to define themselves. In the shorthand version that has developed, some facts have been blurred,” the paper writes.
Davis’ divorce was when she was 21 not 19 and her ex-husband was granted custody of the children while she attended Harvard Law School. She is the one who paid child support as he raised the girls.
“My language should be tighter,” Davis said in a recent interview. “I’m learning about using broader, looser language. I need to be more focused on the detail.”
On her website, Davis talks about how she “became the first person in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree, graduated first in her class, and went on to Harvard Law School.” Her site says she “graduat[ed] with honors from Harvard Law.”
However, the Dallas Morning News found that she only made it through Harvard Law because her second husband, Jeff Davis, “cashed in his 401(k) account and … took out a loan to pay for her final year there.” Jeff Davis also said “it was ironic” that the day after the last payment was made on Wendy Davis’ Harvard loans in 2003, “she left.”
Wendy Davis defends herself as “a vibrant part of contributing to our family finances” as an attorney. However, Jeff Davis says after the divorce she decided he should take on the responsibility of raising their children. “It’s not a good time for me right now,” she reportedly said. He also cited adultery in his divorce filings, though the Dallas Morning News says the final report from the court makes no mention of adulterous behavior.
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