Steven Smith for Speaker

My path to where I am today in the Legislature is probably unique. I started as a ballot filler in a Democrat leaning district. I was surprised to win in 2010. In 2012, I was the only incumbent Republican re-elected in my county. In 2014, after a contentious and unusual Organization Day, I was surprised to find myself appointed Chair of the House Transportation Committee. I served in that role for four years. In 2018, we found ourselves in the minority again. I was named Senior Republican Advisor by Rep, Dick Hinch. I was going to run for Speaker, but ultimately dropped to support Dick. That was the best campaign experience I ever had. It was friendly, we even went to a few events together. When Dick became Speaker, and passed away suddenly, I worked on getting the Deputy Speaker elected, Sherm Packard. I helped coordinate the logistics of having a session in a parking lot because of Covid. My first experience presiding over a House Session was in an indoor soccer field. I’ve been elected to eight consecutive terms regardless of the political climate and I’ve seen a lot.