Alabama Dem lawmaker will break from campaign trail to oppose health reform

Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.), who opposed the House version of the healthcare reform bill last year, will make sure to take a break from his campaign for governor to travel to Washington to vote against the final version of the bill.

Davis has consistently critical of the Democratic healthcare bills and has been clear that he would not support the latest iteration of the measure but his vow to turn up for the vote is notable. Lawmakers seeking higher office are prone to missing roll call votes as they hit the campaign trail but Davis's office told The Hill that he intends to make the trek north from Alabama to cast his vote against the legislation -- and his party's leadership.

"Congressman Davis will be present for the HC vote and he is a no," Davis's communications director, Addie Whisenant, wrote in an email.

Davis was the first member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the first Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee to call for Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) to step down as chairman of the powerful panel.

Davis is one of 23 House Democrats to vote against healthcare reform and climate change.

In announcing his no vote last year on healthcare, Davis said, "We risk a disaster if we get this wrong."

The primary in Alabama is scheduled for June 1.