Shirley Smith (politician)
Encyclopedia
Shirley Smith is a Democratic
member of the Ohio Senate
, who has represented the 21st District since 2007. Smith also serves as assistant minority leader in the Senate. She was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from 1999 through 2006.
Bottling Company.
When incumbent C.J. Prentiss decided to run for the Ohio Senate
, Smith and four other Democrats sought to replace her in the 1998 primary election. Smith won the nomination with 35.29% of the vote. She won the general election against Republican
Dominic Rini with 86.15% of the vote. Smith won reelection in 2000 against Republican Ronnie Jones with 87.2% of the vote.
In 2002, Smith again faced a primary challenge from four other Democrats, due to redistricting. However she again won the nomination with 43.66% of the vote. She went unopposed in the general election. Smith again was unopposed for the 2004 general election. For the 126th General Assembly, Smith served as secretary of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC).
, Claudette Woodard
and two other Democrats. While it was a contested primary, Smith defeated the opposition to take the nomination with 45% of the votes. She won the general election with 85.14% of the electorate. In the 127th General Assembly, Smith served as president of the OLBC.
Early in 2008, the Senate Democrats ousted Minority Leader Teresa Fedor
and replaced her with Ray Miller
, as well as Smith as assistant minority leader. With the beginning of the 128th General Assembly, the caucus retained Smith in her role as assistant minority leader under Capri Cafaro
.
In 2010, Smith won election to a second term in the Senate, defeating Republican Burrell Jackson with 84.4% of the vote. She again is serving as assistant minority leader in the 129th General Assembly, and is a member of the Senate Rules Committee; Education; Energy and Public Utilities; Finance; Government Oversight and Reform (as ranking member); and Health, Human Services and Aging. She also serves on the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review and the Correctional Institution Inspection Committee; and the State Criminal Sentencing Commission.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Ohio Senate
Ohio Senate
The Ohio State Senate is the upper house of the Ohio General Assembly, the legislative body for the U.S. state of Ohio. There are 33 State Senators. The state legislature meets in the state capital, Columbus. The President of the Senate presides over the body when in session, and is currently Tom...
, who has represented the 21st District since 2007. Smith also serves as assistant minority leader in the Senate. She was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives
Ohio House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio; the other house of the bicameral legislature being the Ohio Senate....
from 1999 through 2006.
Career
Smith worked in sales and marketing, and as a radio talk-show host for a major radio station in Cleveland, and has also served as an independent consultant for Coca-ColaCoca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
Bottling Company.
When incumbent C.J. Prentiss decided to run for the Ohio Senate
Ohio Senate
The Ohio State Senate is the upper house of the Ohio General Assembly, the legislative body for the U.S. state of Ohio. There are 33 State Senators. The state legislature meets in the state capital, Columbus. The President of the Senate presides over the body when in session, and is currently Tom...
, Smith and four other Democrats sought to replace her in the 1998 primary election. Smith won the nomination with 35.29% of the vote. She won the general election against Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Dominic Rini with 86.15% of the vote. Smith won reelection in 2000 against Republican Ronnie Jones with 87.2% of the vote.
In 2002, Smith again faced a primary challenge from four other Democrats, due to redistricting. However she again won the nomination with 43.66% of the vote. She went unopposed in the general election. Smith again was unopposed for the 2004 general election. For the 126th General Assembly, Smith served as secretary of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (OLBC).
Ohio Senate
In late 2005, Smith announced that she would run to succeed term-limited Prentiss in the Senate, along with Representatives Annie L. KeyAnnie L. Key
Annie Key is a former Democratic member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 11th District from 2001−2006. A former telephone worker with Ohio Bell and later AT&T, Key initially ran for the Ohio House of Representatives in 2000 to succeed Troy Lee James, who had held the seat for...
, Claudette Woodard
Claudette Woodard
Claudette Woodard is a former Democratic member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 9th District from 2001-2006.-External links:**...
and two other Democrats. While it was a contested primary, Smith defeated the opposition to take the nomination with 45% of the votes. She won the general election with 85.14% of the electorate. In the 127th General Assembly, Smith served as president of the OLBC.
Early in 2008, the Senate Democrats ousted Minority Leader Teresa Fedor
Teresa Fedor
Teresa Fedor is a Democratic member of the Ohio House of Representatives who has represented the 47th District since 2011. She represented the same district from 2001 to 2002, and was a member of the Ohio Senate from 2003 to 2010.-Life and career:...
and replaced her with Ray Miller
Ray Miller (Ohio legislator)
Ray Miller is a Democratic politician and a former member of the Ohio General Assembly.-Life and career:A graduate of the Ohio State University and a former staffer in the Carter Administration, Miller was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1982, succeeding Leslie Brown. He won...
, as well as Smith as assistant minority leader. With the beginning of the 128th General Assembly, the caucus retained Smith in her role as assistant minority leader under Capri Cafaro
Capri Cafaro
Capri Silvestri Cafaro is a Democratic member of the Ohio Senate, representing the 32nd District since her appointment in 2007. In 2009, Cafaro became minority leader after serving as assistant minority whip for the Senate.-Career:...
.
In 2010, Smith won election to a second term in the Senate, defeating Republican Burrell Jackson with 84.4% of the vote. She again is serving as assistant minority leader in the 129th General Assembly, and is a member of the Senate Rules Committee; Education; Energy and Public Utilities; Finance; Government Oversight and Reform (as ranking member); and Health, Human Services and Aging. She also serves on the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review and the Correctional Institution Inspection Committee; and the State Criminal Sentencing Commission.
External links
- The Ohio Senate: Senator Shirley A. Smith (D-Cleveland) official site
- The Ohio Ladies' Gallery: Sen. Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland)
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Shirley Smith (OH) profile
- Follow the Money - Shirley Smith