A 9-6 vote Saturday morning means district newcomer Paul Davis will represent the 46th Kansas House District in the 2003 legislative session, which starts next week.

Fifteen Democratic committee people from the district cast ballots Saturday to choose the replacement for retiring state Rep. Troy Findley.

Davis, who was nominated by Findley for the chair Findley held the past eight years, was elected on the first ballot. Findley’s nominating motion was seconded by precint person Allison Gallaway.

One of 16 eligible precinct committee persons was out of town and did not vote.

Findley will go to work as legislative liaison for new Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

Davis had been living in the adjoining house district but announced he would buy a home in the central Lawrence district, which includes the Oread neighborhood, after he learned Findley was stepping down.

Davis, 30, is a lobbyist for the Kansas Bar Assn. and worked briefly for Sebelius when she was state insurance commissioner.

The precinct meeting, which was in the basement of the 11th Street Community Center, started at 10:30 a.m. and was over in 30 minutes.

Davis defeated the only other nominee, former Lawrence Mayor Marci Francisco.

For any updates on this story, pick up a copy of Sunday’s Journal-World.