Thurston "Smitty" Smith (born March 9, 1958)[1] is an American businessman and politician who is a member of the California State Assembly from the 33rd district. He assumed office on December 7, 2020, succeeding Jay Obernolte. He left office on December 3, 2022, after losing re-election to another Republican incumbent, Tom Lackey.
Thurston Smith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 33rd district | |
| In office December 7, 2020 – December 3, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Jay Obernolte |
| Succeeded by | Tom Lackey (redistricting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 9, 1958 Hesperia, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Margaret (m. 1986) |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence(s) | Apple Valley, California, U.S. |
Early life and education
editSmith was born in Hesperia, California, and took classes at Victor Valley College.[2]
Career
editPrior to his election to the Assembly, Smith owned a concrete company. He served on the Hesperia City Council from 2006 to 2014[3][4] and on the Mohave Valley Water Agency from 2016 to 2018.[5] After Jay Obernolte declined to seek re-election to the Assembly and instead run for California's 8th congressional district, Smith announced his candidacy to succeed him. Smith placed first in the nonpartisan blanket primary and defeated fellow Republican Rick Herrick, the Mayor of Big Bear Lake, in the November general election.[6] In the 2022 2022 California State Assembly election for District 34, Smith lost re-election to fellow Republican incumbent Tom Lackey.[7]
Personal life
editSmith lives in Apple Valley, California with his wife Margaret.[8]
Election results
edit2020
edit| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Thurston "Smitty" Smith | 32,891 | 37.9% | |
| Republican | Rick Herrick | 14,922 | 17.2% | |
| Democratic | Socorro Cisneros | 12,136 | 14.0% | |
| Democratic | Blanca A. Gomez | 8,950 | 10.3% | |
| Democratic | Anthony A. Rhoades | 7,670 | 8.8% | |
| Democratic | Roger La Plante | 5,655 | 6.5% | |
| Republican | Alex Walton | 4,564 | 5.3% | |
| Total votes | 86,788 | 100.0% | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Thurston “Smitty” Smith | 86,948 | 54.9% | |
| Republican | Rick Herrick | 71,567 | 45.1% | |
| Total votes | 158,515 | 100.0% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
References
edit- ^ Thurston Smith's Biography
- ^ "7 seek San Bernardino County's open 33rd Assembly District seat". San Bernardino Sun. 2020-02-18. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
- ^ Cruz, Rene Ray De La. "Thurston 'Smitty' Smith announces bid for 33rd District Assembly seat". vvdailypress.com. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
- ^ Estacio, Martin. "Election results: Smith winning battle of Republicans in 33rd Assembly District". VVdailypress.com. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
- ^ Agency, Mojave Water. "Division 7". Mojave Water Agency. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
- ^ "Smitty for Assembly Home Page". Thurston "Smitty" Smith for California's 33rd Assembly District. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
- ^ Sheeler, Andrew (November 9, 2022). "Here's what happened in California's midterm election while you were sleeping". The Sacramento Bee. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- ^ "Thurston Smitty Smith for 33rd District Assembly". Retrieved 2020-11-21.