Matthew Heyden "Matt" Smith (born September 19, 1972 in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania) is an American politician. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 37th district from January 2013 until June 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, he also served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2007 to 2012. He was elected to the State Senate in the 2012 election.
Matthew H. Smith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 37th district | |
| In office January 1, 2013[1] – June 2015[2] | |
| Preceded by | John Pippy |
| Succeeded by | Guy Reschenthaler |
| Constituency | Parts of Allegheny and Washington Counties |
| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 42nd district | |
| In office January 2, 2007[3] – December 8, 2012[4] | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Stevenson |
| Succeeded by | Dan Miller |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Matthew Heyden Smith September 19, 1972 Bethel Park, Pennsylvania |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Eileen Smith |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania |
| Alma mater | Rollins College Duquesne Law School |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Biography
editSmith is the son of James and Janice Smith who also were born and raised in the Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania.[5] Smith is a graduate of Rollins College at Winter Park, Florida with a degree in history. He graduated from the Duquesne University School of Law with honors in 1999.[6] He lives in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania with his wife, Eileen Smith. Prior to elective office, Smith worked for Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C.[7]
Smith was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2006, defeating 21-year-old Republican Mark Harris, who had defeated incumbent Tom Stevenson in the Republican primary.[8]
Smith was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate in 2012, defeating Republican opponent Dakshinamurthy "D." Raja.[9] Raja spent $5 million on his campaign, while Smith spent only $1 million.[10]
Pennsylvania Senate minority leader Jay Costa announced in May 2015 that Smith would be stepping down from the Senate, effective in June 2015, to become President of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce.[11][12]
Electoral history
edit| Year | Republican | Votes | Pct | Democrat | Votes | Pct | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Mark Harris | 11,795 | 41.6% | Matt Smith | 16,568 | 58.4% | |||
| 2008 | Jim Blazeck | 12,139 | 34.6% | Matt Smith | 22,919 | 65.4% | |||
| 2010 | Sue Means | 10,591 | 40.2% | Matt Smith | 15,740 | 59.8% |
| Year | Republican | Votes | Pct | Democrat | Votes | Pct | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | D. Raja | 59,626 | 47.3% | Matt Smith | 66,467 | 52.7% |
References
edit- ^ "SESSION OF 2013 197TH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 1" (PDF). LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL. Pennsylvania Senate. 2013-01-01. Retrieved 2014-03-05.
- ^ "37th District Offices to Remain Open for Constituents". PA State Senate. Retrieved 29 June 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "SESSION OF 2007 191ST OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 1" (PDF). LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. 2007-01-02. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
- ^ "Smith resigns from House, announces Senatorial offices". News. Observer-Reporter. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
- ^ "Rep. Matthew H. Smith Biography". Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus. 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
- ^ "Matthew H. Smith". Attorney Profile. Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C. 2009. Archived from the original on 2007-08-25. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
- ^ "Representative Matthew H. Smith (PA)". Project Vote Smart. Project Vote Smart. 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
- ^ "2006 General Election - Representative in the General Assembly". Commonwealth of PA - Elections Information. Pennsylvania Department of State. 2004. Archived from the original on 2008-11-27. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
- ^ a b "2012 General Election - Senator in the General Assembly". Pennsylvania Department of State. Archived from the original on 2012-11-16. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
- ^ Comment at Elected Officials Forum, held on the campus of Robert Morris University, April 4, 2014
- ^ Field, Nick (27 May 2015). "BREAKING: State Sen. Matt Smith Resigning". PoliticsPA. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
- ^ Santoni, Matthew (27 May 2015). "State Sen. Matt Smith resigning to become Chamber president". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
- ^ "Election Statistics". PA Department of State. Archived from the original on 2009-02-21. Retrieved 2009-02-25.