Linda Smith (politician)
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| Linda Smith | |
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| In office 1995–1999 |
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| Preceded by | Jolene Unsoeld |
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| Succeeded by | Brian Baird |
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| Born | July 26, 1950 La Junta, Colorado |
| Political party | Republican |
| Religion | Assemblies of God |
Linda Smith (born July 26, 1950 in La Junta, Colorado) is a member of the Republican Party who represented Washington's 3rd congressional district from 1995 to 1999 in the United States House of Representatives.
Smith grew up in Vancouver, Washington. She became the manager of a number of independent tax offices in Southern Washington.
Smith began her political career in 1983 when she defeated a Democratic Party incumbent to win a seat in the Washington House of Representatives. In 1987, she moved up to the state senate and remained there until her supporters began a September 1994 write-in campaign to elect her to Washington's 3rd congressional district. In spite of being dubbed the "Hazel Dell housewife", Smith began a 19-day long grassroots campaign that resulted in her defeating the only Republican candidate listed on the primary ballot. Having secured a ballot line as the Republican nominee through her September write-in campaign, she went on to defeat three-term Democrat Jolene Unsoeld in November. She narrowly won reelection in 1996, defeating Democrat Brian Baird by only 113 votes.
Smith was known for her staunch anti-abortion stance and her maverick tendencies, such as opposing the Balanced Budget Amendment, supporting campaign finance reform, and most notably of all, being one of 9 House Republicans to vote against confirming House Speaker Newt Gingrich in early 1997. In 1998 Smith defeated a well-financed primary opponent to face sitting U.S. Senator Patty Murray, only the third Senate race between two women. Many observers expected the election to be close, but instead Murray won by a lopsided 58-42% margin.
Since Smith's retirement from Congress, she has devoted all her energy to ending the practice of human trafficking through Shard Hope International, the anti-trafficking organization she founded. She lives in Vancouver, Washington, with her husband, and has two children and six grandchildren.
[edit] Electoral history
- 1998 Race for U.S. Senate
- Patty Murray (D) (inc.), 58%
- Linda Smith (R), 42%
[edit] External links
- Linda Smith (politician) at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Shard Hope International
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by Jolene Unsoeld |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington's 3rd congressional district 1995–1999 |
Succeeded by Brian Baird |
