Jason T. Smith

Jason Smith
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Missouri's 8th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 4, 2013
Preceded by Jo Ann Emerson
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
from the 120th district
In office
January 9, 2013 – June 4, 2013
Preceded by Scott Largent
Succeeded by Shawn Sisco
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives
from the 150th district
In office
January 4, 2006 – January 9, 2013
Preceded by Frank Barnitz
Succeeded by Kent Hampton
Personal details
Born Jason Thomas Smith[1]
June 16, 1980
Salem, Missouri
Political party Republican
Residence Salem, Missouri
Alma mater University of Missouri
Oklahoma City University School of Law
Profession Attorney
Real estate agent
Religion Assemblies of God

Jason Thomas Smith (born June 16, 1980) is an American politician. He is currently a member of the United States House of Representatives for Missouri's 8th congressional district after winning a special election on June 4, 2013. Smith formerly represented the 150th District in the Missouri House of Representatives, which encompasses parts of Crawford, Dent, Phelps and Reynolds counties. Smith also served as the Majority Whip during the 96th Missouri General Assembly.[2] He was a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), serving as Missouri state leader.[3]

Early life, education, and business career

Jason Smith was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up near Salem, Missouri, as a fourth-generation family farmer. After graduating from Salem High School in 1998, Smith attended the University of Missouri where he earned Bachelor of Science degrees in both Agricultural Economics and Business Administration.[4] He continued his education at the Oklahoma City University School of Law, earning his J.D. in 2004.[5] When not involved in his legislative duties Representative Smith works as an attorney, real estate agent, and small business owner.

Missouri House of Representatives

Elections

Following the resignation of the incumbent State Representative Frank Barnitz, Smith ran for Missouri's 150th house district, based in Dent, Phelps, Crawford, and Reynolds counties. In November 2005, he defeated Democrat Bobby Simpson 54%-44%.[6][7] The next year, in 2006, he defeated Democrat Jim O'Donnell 64%-32%.[8][9] In 2008, Smith defeated Democratic challenger James D. Ellis 70%-30%.[10][11] He ran unopposed in 2010.[12][13]

Committee assignments

U.S. House of Representatives

2013 congressional election

Smith ran for the vacant 8th congressional district of Missouri after Republican incumbent Jo Ann Emerson resigned. Emerson left her elected position in order to accept the presidency of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. On February 9, 2013, per Missouri statute, Smith was selected by the 8th District Republican Central Committee to be the Republican candidate in the June special election. He was declared the winner of the special election held on June 4, 2013. He took 67.1% of the vote to Hodges' (D) 27.4%. The election of Smith marked the 47th consecutive Missouri U.S. House race in which Democrats failed to pick up a Republican-held seat dating back to 1994 - the second biggest Democratic pick-up drought in the nation.[14]

2013 Missouri 8th congressional district special election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jason Smith 42,145 67.1
Democratic Steve Hodges 17,203 27.4
Constitution Doug Enyart 2,265 3.6
Libertarian Bill Slantz 968 1.5

Tenure

Rep. Smith assumed office June 4, the day of his election. He was sworn in June 5.

Committee assignments

Personal life

He currently lives in Salem, Missouri. Smith is a member in the following organizations: National Rifle Association, Salem, Steelville and Cuba Chambers of Commerce, Missouri Bar, Farm Bureau, Missouri Community Betterment Association, past President and current board member of the Salem FFA Alumni Association, and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). He attends Grace Community Church of Salem, an Assemblies of God church.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Lawyer Jason Smith - Salem, MO Attorney - Avvo.com". avvo.com. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Representative Jason Smith". mo.gov. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  3. ↑ "State Chairs". ALEC - American Legislative Exchange Council. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Missouri House of Representatives". mo.gov. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Project Vote Smart - The Voter's Self Defense System". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Our Campaigns - MO State House 150 - Special Election Race - Nov 08, 2005". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  7. ↑ "SOS, Missouri - Elections: Special Election - November 8, 2005 - District 150, Missouri House of Representatives". mo.gov. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Our Campaigns - MO State House 150 Race - Nov 07, 2006". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  9. ↑ "November 2006 General Election". vote-mo.org. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Our Campaigns - MO State House 150 Race - Nov 04, 2008". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  11. ↑ http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/allresults.asp?eid=256
  12. ↑ http://www.sos.mo.gov/enrweb/raceresults.asp?eid=300&oid=67699&arc=
  13. ↑ "Our Campaigns - MO State House 150 Race - Nov 02, 2010". ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  14. ↑ Ostermeier, Eric (June 5, 2013). "Missouri Democratic US House Pick-Up Drought Extends to 47". Smart Politics.
  15. ↑ "2013 Missouri House 8th District Special Election". Politico June 4, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2013.

External links

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Jo Ann Emerson		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Missouri's 8th congressional district
2013–present 		Incumbent
United States order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Robin Kelly
D-Illinois 		United States Representatives by seniority
367th 		Succeeded by
Katherine Clark
D-Massachusetts