View source for David R. Lewis

{{Short description|American politician from North Carolina}}
{{about||the Canadian hockey player|Dave Lewis (ice hockey)|the American football linebacker|Dave Lewis (linebacker)|the American football punter|Dave Lewis (punter) }}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = David Lewis
|image = DRLewis.jpg
|state_house = North Carolina
|district = [[North Carolina's 53rd House district|53rd]]
|term_start = January 1, 2003
|term_end = August 20, 2020
|predecessor = [[Donald Davis (North Carolina Republican politician)|Don Davis]] (Redistricting)
|successor = [[Howard Penny Jr.]]
|birth_name =  David Ray Lewis<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wral.com/story/no-prison-time-for-former-nc-lawmaker-who-siphoned-money-from-campaign/19830061/ | title=No prison time for former NC lawmaker who siphoned money from campaign | date=17 August 2021 }}</ref>
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|3|6}}
|birth_place = [[Fayetteville, North Carolina]], U.S.
|death_date = 
|death_place = 
|party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|spouse = Michelle Lawrence
|education = [[Campbell University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
|website = {{URL|davidlewis.org|Official website}}
}}
'''David R. Lewis''' (born March 6, 1971) is an American former politician of the Republican Party who served as a member of the [[North Carolina General Assembly]] from 2002 to 2020, representing the state's 53rd House District. His district encompassed most of [[Harnett County]] including the City of [[Dunn, North Carolina|Dunn]] and Towns of [[Angier, North Carolina|Angier]], [[Coats, North Carolina|Coats]], [[Erwin, North Carolina|Erwin]], and [[Lillington, North Carolina|Lillington]].

Additionally, Lewis formerly served as the National Committeeman for the [[North Carolina]] [[United States Republican Party|Republican]] Party.

In August 2020, he pleaded guilty to making a false statement to a bank and failing to file an income tax return. He then resigned.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/north-carolina-state-legislator-pleads-guilty-making-false-statement-bank | title=North Carolina State Legislator Pleads Guilty to Making a False Statement to a Bank | date=26 August 2020 }}</ref>

==Early life, education and career==
Lewis was born in [[Fayetteville, North Carolina]], the son of Jean (née Hudson) and Donnie Lewis. He grew up in Dunn area and attended [[Cape Fear High School]] in [[Cumberland County, North Carolina]].

After graduating from [[Cape Fear High School]], Lewis went on to receive his degree in [[business administration]] from [[Campbell University]].<ref name="davidlewis.org">{{cite web |url=http://davidlewis.org/bio.cfm |title=David Lewis - NC House of Representatives, Biography |accessdate=2008-12-02 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203175513/http://www.davidlewis.org/bio.cfm |archivedate=2008-12-03 }}</ref>  While at [[Campbell University]], Lewis served two terms as student body president and was also a member of the [[College Republicans]].

He is a tobacco farmer and co-owner at Quality Equipment, LLC.

==Political career==
Lewis was the co-chair of the elections committee, responsible for the [[voter identification]] legislation as well as his work on the most recent round of [[redistricting]] in the State of [[North Carolina]]. This redistricting has been challenged as
an instance of [[Gerrymandering in the United States|partisan gerrymandering]].
In his role as NC House redistricting leader, Lewis said that he wanted the maps drawn “to give a partisan advantage to 10 Republicans and three Democrats because [he did] not believe it’s possible to draw a map with 11 Republicans and two Democrats.”
<ref>{{cite news|last1=Blythe|first1=Anne|title=League of Women Voters challenges NC congressional districts as partisan gerrymanders|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article103489972.html|accessdate=30 April 2018|publisher=The Charlotte Observer|date=22 September 2016}}</ref> In addition, he stated: “I think electing Republicans is better than electing Democrats. So I drew this map to help foster what I think is better for the country.”<ref>{{cite news|last1=Robertson|first1=Gary|title=Judges: North Carolina must redo map skewed by partisanship|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/judges-north-carolina-must-redraw-gops-gerrymandered-map/2018/01/09/3a881ee6-f59a-11e7-9af7-a50bc3300042_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110010902/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/judges-north-carolina-must-redraw-gops-gerrymandered-map/2018/01/09/3a881ee6-f59a-11e7-9af7-a50bc3300042_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 January 2018|accessdate=9 January 2018|agency=Washington Post|newspaper=Washington Post|date=9 January 2018}}</ref>

During a fraud investigation into the 2018 U.S. House race in North Carolina's 9th district where a Republican operative conducted large-scale electoral fraud, Lewis introduced a bill that would put Republicans in charge of every election board in every election year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.salon.com/2018/12/06/north-carolina-gop-pushes-law-to-take-over-elections-amid-fraud-investigation-in-house-race/|title=North Carolina GOP pushes law to take over elections amid fraud investigation in House race {{!}} Salon.com|website=www.salon.com|date=6 December 2018 |access-date=2018-12-06}}</ref> On July 24, 2020, Lewis announced that he would be retiring at the end of his term and would not seek re-election.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fain |first1=Travis |title=David Lewis, key leader in the NC House, announces surprise retirement |url=https://www.wral.com/david-lewis-key-leader-in-the-nc-house-announces-surprise-retirement/19203379/ |website=WRAL.com |date=24 July 2020 |accessdate=25 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Doran |first1=Will |title=David Lewis, architect of voter ID and redistricting laws, retiring from NC legislature |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article244474042.html |website=The News & Observer |accessdate=25 July 2020}}</ref>

Lewis resigned on August 20, 2020, when he was charged with making false statements to a bank and failure to file a tax return.<ref>[https://www.wbtv.com/2020/08/20/nc-house-rules-chair-resigns-seat-federal-charges-filed/ NC House Rules Chair resigns seat, federal charges filed]</ref>

==Political campaigns==
'''2002'''{{See also|2002 North Carolina House of Representatives election#District_53}}
Lewis defeated primary challenger, Teddy Byrd, in the September 10th, 2002 Republican Primary garnering 54% of the vote.  On November 5, 2002, Lewis won election to the North Carolina House of Representatives by defeating Larry C. Upchurch (D).<ref>[http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1090714/] ''WRAL News''</ref>

'''2004'''{{See also|2004 North Carolina House of Representatives election#District_53}}
On November 2, 2004, Lewis won re-election to the North Carolina House of Representatives by defeating Louise Taylor (D).  Lewis did not face a Republican challenger in the primary election.

'''2006'''{{See also|2006 North Carolina House of Representatives election#District_53}}

On November 7, 2006, Lewis won re-election to the North Carolina House of Representatives by defeating Frank Stewart (D). For the second election in a row, Lewis did not face a Republican challenger in the primary election.

'''2008'''{{See also|2008 North Carolina House of Representatives election#District_53}}

On November 4, 2008, Lewis won re-election to the North Carolina House of Representatives by defeating Joseph Lindsey Tart (D). For the third election cycle in a row, Lewis did not face a Republican challenger in the primary election.

'''2010'''{{See also|2010 North Carolina House of Representatives election#District_53}}

On November 2, 2010, Lewis won re-election to the North Carolina House of Representatives by defeating Abraham Oudeh (D). For the fourth consecutive election cycle, Lewis did not face a Republican challenger in the primary election.

'''2012'''{{See also|2012 North Carolina House of Representatives election#District_53}}

Lewis ran for re-election in 2012. He ran unopposed in the May 8, 2012 Republican primary for the fifth consecutive election cycle and defeated Joseph Langley (D) in the general election which took place on November 6, 2012.

'''2014'''{{See also|2014 North Carolina House of Representatives election#District_53}}

Lewis ran for re-election in 2014. He ran unopposed in the May 6, 2014 Republican primary for the sixth consecutive election cycle and defeated Susan Byerly (D) in the general election which took place on November 4, 2014.

'''2016'''{{See also|2016 North Carolina House of Representatives election#District_53}}

Lewis beat primary challenger, William "Chuck" Levorse, in the March primary garnering 79% of the vote. On November 8, 2016, Lewis won election to the North Carolina House of Representatives by defeating Jon Blum (D) with 61% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wral.com/local-legislative-incumbents-weather-primary-challenges/15547021/|title=Local legislative incumbents weather primary challenges|date=Mar 15, 2016|website=WRAL.com|accessdate=Nov 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/north-carolina-state-house-district-53|title=North Carolina 53rd District State House Results: David Lewis Wins|newspaper=The New York Times |date=Aug 1, 2017|accessdate=Nov 15, 2019}}</ref>

'''2018'''{{See also|2016 North Carolina House of Representatives election#District_53}}

Lewis ran for re-election again in 2018. On November 6, 2018 he defeated Democratic nominee Richard Chapman with just under 63% of the vote.<ref>[https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/06/2018&county_id=0&office=NCH&contest=1056] ''North Carolina State Board of Elections''.</ref>

==Electoral history==
{| class="wikitable" border="1" style="margin:0.5em; font-size:95%;"
|+ North Carolina State House of Representatives<br /> District 53<br /> Results 2002–2018
!|Year
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|%
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|%
|-
|[[2002 North Carolina House of Representatives election#District 53|2002]]
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Larry C. Upchurch
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |5,987
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |38%
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''David Lewis'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |9,672
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |62%
|-
|[[2004 North Carolina House of Representatives election#District 53|2004]]
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Louise Taylor
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |10,217
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |41%
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''David Lewis'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |14,633
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |59%
|-
|[[2006 North Carolina House of Representatives election#District 53|2006]]
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Frank Stewart
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |6,846
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |47%
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''David Lewis'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |7,763
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |53%
|-
|[[2008 North Carolina House of Representatives election#District 53|2008]]
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Joseph Tart
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |14,431
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |47%
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''David Lewis'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |16,135
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |53%
|-
|[[2010 North Carolina House of Representatives election#District 53|2010]]
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Abraham Oudeh
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |6,784
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |33%
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''David Lewis'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |13,533
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |67%
|-
|[[2012 North Carolina House of Representatives election#District 53|2012]]
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Joseph Langley
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |13,370
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |44%
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''David Lewis'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |17,365
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |56%
|-
|[[2014 North Carolina House of Representatives election#District 53|2014]]
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Susan Byerly
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |8,707
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |44%
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''David Lewis'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |10,966
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |56%
|-
|[[2016 North Carolina House of Representatives election#District 53|2016]]
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Jon Blum
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |12,678
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |39%
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''David Lewis'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |19,548
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |61%
|-
|[[2018 North Carolina House of Representatives election#District 53|2018]]
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Richard Chapman
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |10,108
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |37%
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''David Lewis'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |17,201
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |63%
|}

==Personal life and criminal convictions==
Lewis resides in [[Dunn, North Carolina]].
On August 26, 2020, Lewis pleaded guilty to making a false statement to a bank and failing to file his federal income tax return.<ref>{{cite web | title=North Carolina State Legislator Pleads Guilty to Making a False Statement to a Bank | date=August 26, 2020 | url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/north-carolina-state-legislator-pleads-guilty-making-false-statement-bank | archive-date=August 26, 2020 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20200826180957/https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/north-carolina-state-legislator-pleads-guilty-making-false-statement-bank | url-status=live | access-date=August 26, 2020 }}</ref> Federal investigators produced evidence that Lewis had stolen funds from his campaign account in order to prop up his failing farm. Specifically, Lewis opened a new bank account with the name "NC GOP Inc" and then wrote checks totaling $65,000 to that new account from his campaign account. This was evidently an attempt to make it appear as if the money was being transferred to the North Carolina Republican Party. Although he faced sentencing guidelines of up to 30 years in prison, prosecutors allowed Lewis to take a plea deal. He was let off with no prison time.<ref>[https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article245118325.html Powerful NC lawmaker took donors’ money for his own use, prosecutors say]</ref>

On August 17, 2021 he was sentenced for misappropriating campaign funds and failing to file his 2018 federal income tax return. Lewis was sentenced to 24 months supervised release in which one year was for the false return count, and is to serve one day active sentence for each count served concurrent.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/members/viewMember.pl?nUserID=389&sChamber=H North Carolina General Assembly - Representative David Lewis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219234858/http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/members/viewMember.pl?sChamber=H&nUserID=389 |date=2008-12-19 }} ''official NC House website''
*[http://www.DavidLewis.org/ David Lewis for NC House] ''official campaign site''
* <!--
Links formerly displayed via the CongLinks template:
* [http://ballotpedia.org/David_Lewis,_Sr. Biography] at [[Ballotpedia]]
* -->
*{{Twitter}}
*[http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=41011 Biography from Project Vote Smart]

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-nc-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Roger West (North Carolina politician)|Roger West]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[North Carolina House of Representatives]] <br/> from the [[North Carolina's 53rd House district|53rd]] district|years=2003–2020}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Howard Penny Jr.]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{North Carolina House of Representatives}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lewis, David R.}}
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:Campbell University alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Republican Party members of the North Carolina House of Representatives]]
[[Category:North Carolina politicians convicted of crimes]]
[[Category:People from Dunn, North Carolina]]
[[Category:People from Fayetteville, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Republican National Committee members]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the North Carolina General Assembly]]