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James E. Smith Jr.

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James E. Smith Jr.
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
from the 72nd district
In office
June 20, 1996 – January 9, 2019
Preceded byTimothy Folk Rogers
Succeeded bySeth Rose
Personal details
Born
James Emerson Smith Jr.

(1967-09-09) September 9, 1967 (age 57)
Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Mary Kirkland
​
(m. 1991)​
Children4
RelativesJulian Adams II (first cousin)
Elizabeth Nelson Adams (aunt)
Patrick Henry Nelson III (grandfather)
Patrick Henry Nelson II (great-great grandfather)
EducationUniversity of South Carolina,
Columbia (BA, JD)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1996–1998 (reserve)
1998–present (national guard)
Rank Major
UnitUnited States Army Reserve
South Carolina Army National Guard
Battles/warsWar in Afghanistan
Awards Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart

James Emerson Smith Jr. (born September 9, 1967) is an American politician who served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1996 to 2019. Smith is a combat veteran and a serving officer in the South Carolina Army National Guard, a small business owner, and a practicing attorney in Columbia, South Carolina.

Smith was the Democratic nominee for Governor of South Carolina in 2018, which he lost to incumbent governor Henry McMaster.

Early life and education

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Smith was born on September 9, 1967, in Columbia, South Carolina, the son of James E. Smith Sr and Nina Nelson Smith. Smith can trace military service in his family in every generation back to the American Revolutionary War.[1] He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina in 1990, and with a Juris Doctor degree from their School of Law in 1995.[2] Smith was then admitted to the South Carolina and North Carolina bars.[3]

Political career

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Smith was first elected to represent the 72nd district (part of Richland County) in the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1996.[2] Smith is considered an ally of President Joe Biden. He endorsed Biden in the 2008 United States presidential election.[4] Smith was a favorite to run for Governor of South Carolina in 2010, before Vincent Sheheen entered. Sheheen subsequently lost to Republican nominee Nikki Haley in the general election.[4]

2018 gubernatorial campaign

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Main article: 2018 South Carolina gubernatorial election

In August 2017, Smith announced that he was taking steps towards a possible run for Governor of South Carolina in 2018. Political scientist Danielle Vinson said of the potential candidacy, "He’s a viable alternative. He is someone who disaffected Republicans who have had problems with issues of the last few weeks could turn to. He could tap a protest vote for Trump or Republicans in general."[5] Smith was reportedly urged to run for governor by Joe Biden in April and then again in September.[6] He appeared at the Chapin Labor Day Parade in early September, further stoking speculation that he would run for governor.[7]

Smith announced his candidacy on October 5, 2017, becoming the first Democrat in a race that already had four Republican candidates. In an interview shortly after Smith announced his candidacy, Biden spoke of Smith, saying "...this is a guy, I swear to God, that I would trust with anything. This is a guy who I watched, he never puts himself before anybody else." He described Smith and his late son Beau Biden as "kindred spirits".[6] He was joined on the ticket by nominee for lieutenant governor Mandy Powers Norrell. Before the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary, Rep. Jim Clyburn endorsed his candidacy.[8]

On November 6, 2018, Smith was defeated by incumbent governor Henry McMaster. Smith held 46% of the popular vote to McMaster's 54%.

Military service

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Smith joined the United States Army Reserve in January 1996 as a Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG) officer, transferring to the South Carolina Army National Guard in the same role in August 1998. In 2001, following the September 11 attacks, Smith resigned his commission and enlisted as an infantryman, beginning basic training.[2] In February 2007, Smith deployed to Afghanistan as an infantry officer, part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He served as a combat advisor to Afghan National Security Forces in remote areas of southern Afghanistan. During his 12-month tour, he received the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Purple Heart. He remains a member of the South Carolina Army National Guard, at the rank of major.[1]

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Smith founded his law firm, James E. Smith, Jr., P.A. in 1995. It provides representation to people in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. The firm provides legal help to injured people, including members of the military, as well as class action lawsuits and business law and litigation services.[9]

In 2022, Smith joined the law firm of Nelson Mullins as a partner.[10]

In 2024, Smith became a candidate for a South Carolina Circuit Court judgeship.[11] The State legislature voted to re-start the nominations for the seat.[12]

Electoral history

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South Carolina Gubernatorial Election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Henry McMaster 921,342 54
Democratic James E. Smith Jr. 784,182 46

Personal life

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Smith married Mary Kirkland Thomas on February 9, 1991. They have four children: Evie Emerson Smith, Thomas Bridges, Paul Bradford Jr, and Shannon Elizabeth. Smith is also a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and Church of the Apostles.[2] From 2019 to 2022, Smith worked as the executive director of military strategies and programs for Palmetto College, University of South Carolina's online school program, while continuing as a private legal practitioner.[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Meet James". James Smith. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d "Representative James E. Smith, Jr". South Carolina State House. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  3. ^ "James Smith". James E. Smith, Jr., P.A. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Shain, Andy (October 5, 2017). "Rep. James Smith becomes first Democrat to enter 2018 South Carolina governor's race". The Post and Courier. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  5. ^ "Rep. James Smith taking steps to give the 2018 South Carolina governor's race its first Democrat". The Post and Courier. August 20, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  6. ^ a b Shain, Andy (October 8, 2017). "Joe Biden on why he's involved in S.C.'s governor's race, Trump's global problems, Thurmond's take on D.C. today". The Post and Courier. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  7. ^ Wilks, Avery G. (September 4, 2017). "Smith running for SC governor? Chapin parade appearance stokes speculation". The State. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  8. ^ Lovegrove, Jamie (April 21, 2018). "U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn endorses James Smith for South Carolina governor in Democratic primary". The Post and Courier. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  9. ^ "Firm Overview". James E. Smith, Jr., P.A. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
  10. ^ "Nelson Mullins in Columbia Welcomes James E. Smith, Jr". Nelson Mullins. November 16, 2022. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  11. ^ Monk, John (January 24, 2024). "Facing defeat, James Smith's rival quits race for Richland state judge's post". Yahoo News. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  12. ^ "South Carolina Republicans reject 2018 Democratic governor nominee's bid to be judge". The Associated Press. April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  13. ^ Shain, Andy (Jan 17, 2019). "Former governor candidate James Smith lands new job at SC college". The Post and Courier. Archived from the original on 2021-04-26. Retrieved 2021-04-26.
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Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of South Carolina
2018 		Succeeded by
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