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Quick Facts
Personal Details

Kent Smith is a Democratic member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing District 8. Smith was first elected to the chamber in 2014. Smith is running for re-election in the primary on May 8, 2018. The general election will take place on November 6, 2018.

Smith served on the Euclid School Board from 2001 to 2013.

Smith earned his B.S. from Miami University in 1988 and his M.S. in Urban Studies from Cleveland State University in 2001. His professional experience includes working in the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office from 2004 to 2012 and co-authoring the book Please God Save Us.

Education

  • Attended, Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development, Council of State Governments (CSG), Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, 2017
  • PhD, Economic Development, Cleveland State University, 2003-2009
  • MS, Urban Studies, Cleveland State University, 1998-2001
  • Graduated, Miami University, 1988

Professional Experience

  • Attended, Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development, Council of State Governments (CSG), Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, 2017
  • PhD, Economic Development, Cleveland State University, 2003-2009
  • MS, Urban Studies, Cleveland State University, 1998-2001
  • Graduated, Miami University, 1988
  • Roller Derby Announcer, The Chicago Outfit, 2010-present
  • Roller Derby Announcer, Burning River Roller Derby, 2008-present
  • Former Writer, Cleveland Free Times
  • Member, County Executive Ed FitzGerald's Transition Team
  • Adjunct Researcher, Policy Matters Ohio
  • Member, South Euclid Judge Gayle Williams Byers' Transition Team
  • Announcer, Roller Derby World Cup, 2018
  • Director of Development and Communications, East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation, 2013-2014
  • Grant Writer/Government & Public Relations Manager, Cleveland Sight Center, 2012-2013
  • Co-Author, "Please God Save Us", 2008-2013
  • Grant Writer, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor, 2004-2012
  • Project Coordinator, Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, 2005-2007
  • Community Organizer, Working America, 2004
  • Grant Writer, Recovery Resources, 2002-2003
  • Executive Director, Euclid Community Concerns, 1997-2001
  • Chief of Staff, Cuyahoga County Recorders Office, 1997

Political Experience

  • Attended, Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development, Council of State Governments (CSG), Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, 2017
  • PhD, Economic Development, Cleveland State University, 2003-2009
  • MS, Urban Studies, Cleveland State University, 1998-2001
  • Graduated, Miami University, 1988
  • Roller Derby Announcer, The Chicago Outfit, 2010-present
  • Roller Derby Announcer, Burning River Roller Derby, 2008-present
  • Former Writer, Cleveland Free Times
  • Member, County Executive Ed FitzGerald's Transition Team
  • Adjunct Researcher, Policy Matters Ohio
  • Member, South Euclid Judge Gayle Williams Byers' Transition Team
  • Announcer, Roller Derby World Cup, 2018
  • Director of Development and Communications, East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation, 2013-2014
  • Grant Writer/Government & Public Relations Manager, Cleveland Sight Center, 2012-2013
  • Co-Author, "Please God Save Us", 2008-2013
  • Grant Writer, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor, 2004-2012
  • Project Coordinator, Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, 2005-2007
  • Community Organizer, Working America, 2004
  • Grant Writer, Recovery Resources, 2002-2003
  • Executive Director, Euclid Community Concerns, 1997-2001
  • Chief of Staff, Cuyahoga County Recorders Office, 1997
  • Representative, Ohio State House of Representatives, District 8, 2015-present
  • Candidate, Ohio State House of Representatives, District 8, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020

Former Committees/Caucuses

Former Member, Education and Career Readiness Committee, Ohio State House of Representatives

Former Ranking Member, Financial Institutions, Housing and Urban Development Committee, Ohio State House of Representatives

Former Member, Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee, Ohio State House of Representatives

Former Member, Public Utilities Committee, Ohio State House of Representatives

Current Legislative Committees

Member, Commerce and Labor

Member, Education and Career Readiness

Member, Financial Institutions

Member, Legislative Ethics

Ranking Member, Public Utilities

Member, Rules and Reference

Religious, Civic, and other Memberships

  • Attended, Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development, Council of State Governments (CSG), Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, 2017
  • PhD, Economic Development, Cleveland State University, 2003-2009
  • MS, Urban Studies, Cleveland State University, 1998-2001
  • Graduated, Miami University, 1988
  • Roller Derby Announcer, The Chicago Outfit, 2010-present
  • Roller Derby Announcer, Burning River Roller Derby, 2008-present
  • Former Writer, Cleveland Free Times
  • Member, County Executive Ed FitzGerald's Transition Team
  • Adjunct Researcher, Policy Matters Ohio
  • Member, South Euclid Judge Gayle Williams Byers' Transition Team
  • Announcer, Roller Derby World Cup, 2018
  • Director of Development and Communications, East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation, 2013-2014
  • Grant Writer/Government & Public Relations Manager, Cleveland Sight Center, 2012-2013
  • Co-Author, "Please God Save Us", 2008-2013
  • Grant Writer, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor, 2004-2012
  • Project Coordinator, Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, 2005-2007
  • Community Organizer, Working America, 2004
  • Grant Writer, Recovery Resources, 2002-2003
  • Executive Director, Euclid Community Concerns, 1997-2001
  • Chief of Staff, Cuyahoga County Recorders Office, 1997
  • Representative, Ohio State House of Representatives, District 8, 2015-present
  • Candidate, Ohio State House of Representatives, District 8, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020
  • Member, Advisory Board, Rust Belt Rising, 2019-present
  • Leader, Euclid Democratic Party, 2006-present
  • Member, Labor and Economic Development Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), present
  • Member, Task Force on Cyber Security, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), present
  • Member, Cuyahoga County Democratic Party Executive Committee
  • Former Participant, Euclid Citizens Police Academy
  • Member, Euclid Democratic Club & East Cleveland Democratic Club
  • Member, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 880
  • Member, Climate Reality Project Leadership Corps, Chicago, 2013
  • Board President/Vice President/Legislative Liason, Euclid School Board, 2002-2013
  • Participant, The Federal Bureau of Investigations Citizens Academy, 2011
  • Point Person, United States Peace Marshals, Cleveland, 1999

Other Info

— Awards:

  • 4-time winner of the Ohio School Boards Association's Award of Achievement: 2004, 2008, 2011 & 2013 (given annually to 3% of School Board Members across Ohio); 2009 Best Lefty Rebel Rouser (with Derek Hess) -- "Best of Cleveland" issue of The Cleveland Scene

  • Public school teacher

  • Public school teacher

Priority Issues:

I will work to expand economic opportunities for all Ohioans while fighting to protect voters' rights, women's rights and workers' rights. I believe increased investment for all levels of education (Pre-K to College) is critical to Ohio's future. I believe we should grow clean energy/green energy projects and not hold them back.

— Publications:

  • Co-Authored Policy Matters Ohio first Predatory Lending Report in 2002; "Please God Save Us" -- co-authored with artist Derek Hess