The Honorable Rodney Davis, a five-term former U.S. Representative for Illinois’ 13th district, currently holds the position of Managing Director at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies. In this role, Rodney provides strategic counsel to the firm’s government relations clients, particularly those whose business goals are impacted by the legislative actions of Congress.
As a governing Republican in Congress, Congressman Davis worked across the aisle to seek bipartisan solutions on several key issues, including promoting America’s infrastructure, defending our nation’s farmers, strengthening national security, supporting the men and women in the armed forces, and lowering the cost of health care. He is particularly adept at building consensus on complex legislative efforts through strong bipartisan bonds in Congress and the administration, resulting in Rodney being considered one of the most effective legislators during his tenure.
Congressman Davis served in several leadership positions in Congress, including Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, and Deputy Whip for Republican Whip Steve Scalise. He previously served as the Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research at the House Agriculture Committee in the 115th Congress.
While serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Davis fought to revitalize rural America by introducing legislation to incentivize investments and bolster job creation, was a strong advocate for rooting out foreign interference in U.S. elections, and also led legislative action to help fight predatory telephone fraud.
Another key priority was lowering the cost of health care for all Americans. This is a deeply personal issue as Rodney’s wife Shannon – a 23-year cancer survivor – was diagnosed with a genetic form of colon cancer that will affect her and their children for the rest of their lives. Drawing inspiration from Shannon’s battle, Rodney worked with lawmakers from both parties to advance policies aimed at preventing cancer. He advocated for increased federal funding for cancer research and expanding access to cancer treatment and prevention as well. Rodney’s bipartisan Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act, which was signed into law in 2020, aims to decrease colorectal cancer deaths by increasing cancer screenings.
Congressman Davis has a strong reputation for civility and bipartisanship in politics. On June 14, 2017, Rodney was one of several Republicans who were practicing for the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity when a gunman opened fire, attempting to assassinate Republican members of Congress. Following the shooting, Rodney made it his mission to remove dangerous rhetoric from political conversations.
Congressman Davis began working for Illinois Congressman John Shimkus on his first day in office in 1997 and served for 16 years as Projects Director, helping communities across Illinois work with the federal government to break through red tape and gain access to federal funding to address their local needs.
Congressman Davis graduated from Millikin University in 1992 with a degree in political science and served as a Fall 2023 Resident Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Institute of Politics. Rodney and Shannon reside in Jupiter, FL, and are proud parents of grown children Toryn, Griffin, and Clark.