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 byJay Obernolte
Succeeded byTom Lackey (redistricting)
Personal details
Born (1958-03-09) March 9, 1958 (age 66)
Hesperia, California, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMargaret (m. 1986)
Children2
Residence(s)Apple Valley, California, U.S.

Early life and education

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Smith was born in Hesperia, California, and took classes at Victor Valley College.[2]

Career

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Prior 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

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Smith lives in Apple Valley, California with his wife Margaret.[8]

Election results

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2020

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California State Assembly election, 2020
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

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  1. ^ Thurston Smith's Biography
  2. ^ "7 seek San Bernardino County's open 33rd Assembly District seat". San Bernardino Sun. 2020-02-18. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
  3. ^ Cruz, Rene Ray De La. "Thurston 'Smitty' Smith announces bid for 33rd District Assembly seat". vvdailypress.com. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
  4. ^ Estacio, Martin. "Election results: Smith winning battle of Republicans in 33rd Assembly District". VVdailypress.com. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
  5. ^ Agency, Mojave Water. "Division 7". Mojave Water Agency. Retrieved 2021-03-22.
  6. ^ "Smitty for Assembly Home Page". Thurston "Smitty" Smith for California's 33rd Assembly District. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Thurston Smitty Smith for 33rd District Assembly". Retrieved 2020-11-21.
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