Muffy Davis: Powering Ahead

BY KAREN DAY

In the 1980’s, Muffy Davis was 16-years-old and racing toward a spot on the U.S. Ski Team. Within reach was her childhood dream of competing in the Winter Olympics. And then, one morning in Sun Valley, racing down Bald Mountain at 45 miles per hour, she sped through a safety fence and hit a tree.

“The best way to explain my paralysis is from the bra down,” Davis says, with a shrug and wry smile. “Women get it.”

Interviewing on Zoom, Davis wears a tank top and sun visor, with biceps impressively well-toned and tan from vacation sun. Her physical handicap is nowhere apparent. Indeed, the same goes for her life as a mom, wife, motivational speaker, winner of three gold medals in the 2012 London Paralympic Games and Guinness World Record-holder for the most gold medals in Paralympic Road Cycling. Currently, she is serving her second term as a Blaine County Representative in the Idaho State Legislature. Ironically, this elected position proved to be one of her most dangerous endeavors.

“I have limited lung capacity and I’m fully vaccinated now. But, this year, serving in the acting legislature during COVID, if I contracted it or brought it home to my daughter, who has asthma and allergies, the results could have been tragic,” she says.

Davis is referring to the Idaho House (and Senate) that both recessed abruptly on March 19th after seven of the 70 House members tested positive for COVID-19. Seven of the eight sickened lawmakers refused to wear masks during session. The estimated cost to Idaho taxpayers for the legislative delay: $300,000.

“My first lesson when I entered the House was that you can go in swinging, but the best way to make progress as a minority (D) is to work behind the scenes. Don’t introduce your own bills that will never get a hearing. Support legislature brought forward by the party in power that also serves the best interests of your constituents. It’s more effective to amend or modify what’s actually coming to the floor for a vote. Workarounds, not fist-fights, get results,” Davis says.

A test of Davis’ hard-won insights arose with the recent decision of Republican lawmakers to refuse a $6 million federal early-learning grant.

Idaho made national news for all the wrong reasons when the House killed HB226 and one representative claimed funding would, “make it easier or more convenient for mothers to come out of the home…” Davis was pictured on U.S. News and World Report in front of the Statehouse, rallying women in protest from her wheelchair. “Who Let the Moms Out?!” said their signs.

“Many Republican lawmakers were as outraged as I was,” says Davis. “So, it was clear that we (Democrats) should not be the most vocal opponents, or it would be labeled ‘liberal agenda.’ Davis shrugs. “It’s a cliché, but true. Pick your battles to win the war.”

Two days later, the offending GOP legislator apologized for his “sexist’ remarks.” HB226 was brought back and barely passed the Senate (18-17). As of this writing, the grant bill sits on the House floor, awaiting a second vote. Going forward, Davis plans to run for Blaine County Commissioner. Whatever the future challenge, Muffy Davis will continue powering ahead, a lifelong work in progress.