Representative Tommy Smith

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Having first been elected to the Georgia State Legislature in 1978, the longtime Democrat Tommy Smith decided to switch over to the Republican Party this past April. Representative Smith felt that his new party best represented the interests of his constituents in Southeast Georgia. He represents District 168, covering all of Appling and Bacon counties, and parts of Jeff Davis and Wayne counties. He currently serves as the Chairman of the State Planning and Community Affairs committee, whose function is to deal with legislation effecting counties, cities and all forms of local governments across the state. It also serves as a vehicle for innovative state planning and deals directly with all local elected officials, including sheriffs throughout the state. He has been a member of the Appropriations committee since 1993, and the Health and Human Services committee since 1979. Representative Smith’s membership has also extended to the Defense and Veteran’s Affairs committee just this year. Chairman Smith graduated from Bacon County High School in Alma in 1968. He went on to obtain an AB degree in Speech, minoring in Psychology, from Georgia Southern College in 1972. During the course of his academic career, Smith also held various political offices. In 1968, he was appointed to the Georgia Youth Council and later served as 8 th District Chairman for the organization. In that same year, he became the youngest delegate to be sent to the National Democratic Convention. In 1970, he was named to the White House Conference on Children.

The legislator has made a life for himself as a farmer when not serving his constituents under the Gold Dome. Representative Smith is a member of the Alma United Methodist Church, and an active Lay Speaker and Chair for churches of several different denominations. He also serves on the Administrative Board of his Church. Between the years of 1970 and 1975, he led numerous youth witness missions. “I believe that the one thing which would have the most positive impact on the state and the nation is the strengthening of the moral and spiritual fiber of our people.”