Devon Mathis

Devon John Mathis (born September 21, 1982) is an American politician serving as a member of the California State Assembly from the 26th District, which include parts of the Central Valley.

Devon Mathis
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 26th district
Assumed office
December 1, 2014
Preceded byConnie Conway
Personal details
Born
Devon John Mathis

(1982-09-21) September 21, 1982
Porterville, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Amber Gomez (divorced)
Children3
Residence(s)Visalia, California, U.S.
EducationPorterville College (AA)
California State University, Fresno (BA)
OccupationPolitician

Early life and education

Mathis was born in Porterville, California. He earned an Associate of Arts degree in Social Sciences from Porterville College and Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from California State University, Fresno.

Career

Before joining the Assembly, Devon served for 10 years as a Sergeant in the Army National Guard, including two tours in Iraq. During his second tour in Iraq, Devon was severely injured in a roadside bomb attack, for which he was awarded a Purple Heart.

In 2014, he unexpectedly defeated Woodlake Mayor Rudy Mendoza, a fellow Republican who was better known and had more support from established Republicans. Mendoza sought a rematch in 2016, but Mathis defeated him again in the primary. Mathis, who had no previous political experience, ran on his status as a former United States Army sergeant and veterans advocate. However, a controversy arose when it was revealed that he had been collecting both his 100% VA disability benefits and his state salary as an Assemblyman, including benefits.

In July 2017 Mathis, along with four other Republican assemblymen, voted "Yes" on AB 398 to extend California's Cap and Trade program.

In 2018, Mathis faced a Republican primary challenge, winning only 30% of the vote, narrowly defeating Republican Visalia Mayor Warren Gubler. But in the November runoff, he rallied and defeated Democratic Tulare City Councilman Jose Sigala with 58% of the vote.

Mathis was not seriously challenged in 2020.

Personal life

Devon and his wife Aubrey live in Visalia with their five children.[1]

Allegations of sexual assault

In October 2017 it was announced by the Sacramento Police Department that Mathis was being investigated for an alleged sexual assault against a female member of his staff. A conservative political blog, American Children First, reported that sources had informed them that Mathis and several staff members had gone out drinking and returned to the home of one of the staff members. There, it was alleged, an inebriated female staff member had gone into a bedroom and passed out on the bed, and Mathis was alleged to have "digitally penetrated" her while she was unconscious.[2]

Regarding the incident, Mathis' office released this statement: “We have a policy of not responding to unsubstantiated, random social media posts.” A spokesman for the Sacramento Police Department. said that “information of a possible sexual assault was brought to our attention. We are starting to follow up with the information we have."[3]

California Assembly officials disciplined Mathis for violating the chamber's sexual harassment policy. They found that he frequently engaged in the utterance of coarse language and made sexual remarks about fellow lawmakers.[4][5]

Elections

2014 California State Assembly
See also: California State Assembly elections, 2014
California's 26th State Assembly district election, 2014
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Rudy Mendoza 18,648 40.3
Republican Devon Mathis 9,497 20.5
Democratic Carlton Jones 7,943 17.2
Democratic Ruben Macareno 3,755 8.1
Democratic Derek A. Thomas 2,872 6.2
Republican Teresita "Tess" Andres 2,092 4.5
Republican Esther Barajas 1,473 3.2
Total votes 46,280 100.0
General election
Republican Devon Mathis 34,683 53.6
Republican Rudy Mendoza 29,991 46.4
Total votes 64,674 100.0
Republican hold

2016 California State Assembly
See also: California State Assembly election, 2016
California's 26th State Assembly district election, 2016
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Devon Mathis (incumbent) 28,563 42.4
Democratic Ruben Macareno 20,536 30.5
Republican Rudy Mendoza 18,216 27.1
Total votes 67,315 100.0
General election
Republican Devon Mathis (incumbent) 76,289 63.3
Democratic Ruben Macareno 44,205 36.7
Total votes 120,494 100.0
Republican hold

2018 California State Assembly
See also: California State Assembly election, 2018
California's 26th State Assembly district election, 2018
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Devon Mathis (incumbent) 19,081 30.3
Democratic Jose Sigala 18,794 29.8
Republican Warren Gubler 17,650 28.0
Republican Jack Lavers 7,473 11.9
Total votes 62,998 100.0
General election
Republican Devon Mathis (incumbent) 62,629 57.9
Democratic Jose Sigala 45,558 42.1
Total votes 108,187 100.0
Republican hold

2020 California State Assembly
See also: California State Assembly election, 2020
2020 California's 26th State Assembly district election
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Devon Mathis (incumbent) 49,413 61.5%
Democratic Drew Phelps 30,981 38.5%
Total votes 80,394 100.0%
General election
Republican Devon Mathis (incumbent) 85,005 54.9%
Democratic Drew Phelps 69,717 45.1%
Total votes 154,722 100%
Republican hold

References
  1. "Mathis sworn in for third term, named to Republican leadership post". Valley Voice. December 5, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  2. "Source: California State Legislator Sexually Assaulted Unconscious Staffer after Night Out Drinking". American Children First. 2017-10-19. Retrieved 2019-05-14.
  3. Griswold, Lewis (October 20, 2017). "Assemblyman Mathis being investigated by Sacramento police for alleged sexual assault". Fresno Bee.
  4. Mason, Melanie (July 11, 2018). "California legislative investigation finds Assemblyman Devon Mathis violated sexual harassment policy". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2019-05-14.
  5. https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article212132079.html
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