Samuel H. Smith (politician)

Samuel H. "Sam" Smith (born August 10, 1955) is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 66th District and was elected in 1986. The district includes portions of Jefferson, Indiana and Armstrong counties. He was elected Speaker in January 2011 and served until January 2015, when he was succeeded by Mike Turzai.

Samuel H. Smith
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 66th district
In office
January 6, 1987 – January 6, 2015
Preceded byEugene Smith
Succeeded byCris Dush
139th Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office
January 4, 2011 – January 6, 2015
Preceded byKeith McCall
Succeeded byMike Turzai
Republican Leader of the
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office
April 15, 2003 – November 30, 2010
Preceded byJohn Perzel
Succeeded byMike Turzai
Republican Whip of the
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office
January 2, 2001 – April 15, 2003
Preceded byDonald Snyder
Succeeded byBrett Feese
Personal details
Born (1955-08-10) August 10, 1955
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Donna Smith
ResidencePunxsutawney, Pennsylvania
Alma materPenn State University
Websitewww.samsmithpahouse.com

Biography

Born August 10, 1955 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Smith attended and graduated from Punxsutawney Area High School and later earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Penn State University. After working for several years in the construction industry, he later took a job with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. In 1986 Smith was elected to succeed his father, Eugene "Snuffy" Smith, who had represented the 66th district since 1963.

He served as Minority Leader from 2007 through 2010, and spoke for his party on the floor and led debate on major issues. Prior to the Democratic takeover in the 2006 election, Smith served as Majority Leader where he was responsible for planning, discussion, debate and final passage of legislation. He was also majority whip until 2003.

Following the 2010 election, which saw Republicans regain their House majority, Smith was elected Speaker when the House reconvened.

Personal

Smith serves on the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Council of Trustees and the Punxsutawney College Trust that supports the Punxsutawney Campus of IUP. With Gobbler's Knob in the heart of his district, Smith is a long-standing member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.

He is married to Donna Bruder-Smith and has a son, Zachary and a daughter, Alexandra.

See also
  • Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives

References
    Political offices
    Preceded by
    Keith McCall    		 Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
    2011–present    		 Succeeded by
    Incumbent
    Pennsylvania House of Representatives
    Preceded by
    Eugene Smith    		 Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 66th District
    1987–present    		 Succeeded by
    Incumbent
    U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
    Preceded by
    Joe Scarnati
    as President pro tempore of the State Senate    		 Pennsylvania gubernatorial line of succession
    3rd in line
    as Speaker of the House of Representatives    		 Succeeded by
    Carol Aichele
    as Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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