Samuel H. Smith (politician)

Samuel H. Smith
File:Pennsylvania state legislator Sam Smith (2005).jpg
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 66th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 6, 1987
Preceded by	Eugene Smith
139th Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office January 4, 2011 – January 6, 2015
Preceded by	Keith McCall
Succeeded by	Mike Turzai
Republican Leader of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office April 15, 2003 – November 30, 2010
Preceded by	John Perzel
Succeeded by	Mike Turzai
Republican Whip of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office January 2, 2001 – April 15, 2003
Preceded by	Donald Snyder
Succeeded by	Brett Feese
Personal details
Born	(1955-08-10) August 10, 1955 Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Donna Smith
Residence	Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
Alma mater	Penn State University
Religion	Methodist
Website	www.samsmithpahouse.com

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.

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

External links

• State Representative Sam Smith official caucus website
• Samuel H. Smith (R) official PA House website

• Profile at Project Vote Smart
• Follow the Money – Sam Smith
  • 2006 2004 2002 2000 1998 campaign contributions

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
United States 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