Matthew H. Smith

For other people named Matthew Smith, see Matthew Smith (disambiguation).
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
Constituency Part of Allegheny County
Personal details
Born (1972-09-19) September 19, 1972
Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
Nationality American
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Eileen Smith
Children 1
Residence Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Alma mater Rollins College
Duquesne Law School
Profession Lawyer
Religion Christian

Matthew Hayden "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.

Biography

Smith is the son of James and Janice Smith who also were born and raised in the Mount 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 Mount 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

Pennsylvania House of Representatives: Results 20062010[13]
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%
Pennsylvania State Senate: Results 2012[9]
Year Republican Votes Pct Democrat Votes Pct
2012 D. Raja 59,626 47.3% Matt Smith 66,467 52.7%

References

  1. "SESSION OF 2013 197TH OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 1" (PDF). LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL. Pennsylvania Senate. 2013-01-01. Retrieved 2014-03-05.
  2. "37th District Offices to Remain Open for Constituents". PA State Senate. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  3. "SESSION OF 2007 191ST OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY No. 1" (PDF). LEGISLATIVE JOURNAL. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. 2007-01-02. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  4. "Smith resigns from House, announces Senatorial offices". News. Observer-Reporter. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  5. "Rep. Matthew H. Smith Biography". Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus. 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
  6. "Matthew H. Smith". Attorney Profile. Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir, P.C. 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-14.
  7. "Representative Matthew H. Smith (PA)". Project Vote Smart. Project Vote Smart. 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  8. "2006 General Election - Representative in the General Assembly". Commonwealth of PA - Elections Information. Pennsylvania Department of State. 2004. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  9. 1 2 "2012 General Election - Senator in the General Assembly". Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved 2012-11-20.
  10. Comment at Elected Officials Forum, held on the campus of Robert Morris University, April 4, 2014
  11. Field, Nick (27 May 2015). "BREAKING: State Sen. Matt Smith Resigning". PoliticsPA. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  12. Santoni, Matthew (27 May 2015). "State Sen. Matt Smith resigning to become Chamber president". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  13. "Election Statistics". PA Department of State. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
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