by Liz Daube
Staff Writer
Don Davis stole the governor’s tie.
Maybe “permanently borrowed” is a better way to put it.
It all began with a photo shoot. While preparing for the camera lens, Gov. Jeb Bush happened to notice Davis’ patriotic look.
“I was wearing a nice tie with American flags, and he said, ‘That’s a nice tie,’ ” said Davis. “I said, ‘You should wear something like that.’ ”
The pair swapped ties. Then, Davis left with Bush’s yellow tie before they could switch back. Davis started wearing the tie around – in front of Bush, no less.
“They said that he moaned and groaned and said, ‘That guy Davis took my tie,’ ” said Davis. “He started shaking his head at me the last time I saw him ... I looked at him and went, ‘What are you talking about?’ ”
Davis was ready to end the joke and return the tie (he even had a spare ready), but Bush told him to keep it. Bush still wears the flag tie that Davis purchased for $8.50. And the joke continues.
“Now he calls it his favorite tie. He says his mother gave it to him,” said Davis, shaking his head. “His mother didn’t give it to him.”
Davis, who represents District 18 in Duval and St. Johns Counties, has a Florida Capitol office filled with smiling faces and amusing memories. At 74 years old, he stands out as the oldest member of the Florida House.
Before taking state office, he served on the Jacksonville City Council for 12 years. When he’s not in session, he’s the vice president of Gate Petroleum Company, a Florida Theatre board of directors member and a recreational snow skier.