La. native advises, corrects senators

• By GERARD SHIELDS
• Advocate staff writer
• Published: Nov 1, 2009

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WASHINGTON — Lula Davis has been described as everything from a drill sergeant to a den mother.

The Fordoche native is one of the most powerful unelected people in the U.S. Senate. As Democratic secretary, Davis corrals one of the most exclusive clubs in the country — the 60-member Democratic Senate majority — while shepherding their legislation through the chamber.

What the job often entails is telling U.S. senators what they can and cannot do when it comes to rules and procedure, a job that sometimes leaves Davis telling some of the most powerful people in the nation, “No.”

Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu recently asked pages if they had met Senate leaders. They said they had — Lula.

“They said Lula is the boss,” Landrieu said.

The position is a long way from the rural town 40 miles west of Baton Rouge, where Davis grew up the third of five children to a cement contractor and home-making mom. She attended Southern University, where she earned an undergraduate degree in office administration before getting a master’s degree in education.

A high school teacher and guidance counselor, Davis moved to Washington, D.C., with her then-husband, a history professor. She returned to her roots somewhat when her friend told her about a job in the office of Democratic U.S. Sen. Russell Long of Louisiana.

Working as a legislative correspondent, then assistant beginning in 1986, Davis said she walked away from the job with a lesson instilled by the man who served the state for 40 years.

“Listening to people and not judging,” Davis said of Long. “He was a genuine nice, thoughtful man.”

Davis joined the Senate staff 16 years ago before rising to the No. 2 spot, where she remained for 11 years. Former Democratic U.S. Sen. John Breaux said Davis quickly made an impact.

“She was a no-nonsense person,” Breaux said. “She didn’t suffer fools.”

Last year, Davis became the second woman and first African American ever to hold the position. She is tough on members, whether it is reminding them to put their hands on their hearts during the Pledge of Allegiance or warning them when they circumvent their rights as a senator.

She can be likened to the quarterback for the majority.