Jamie Smith | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Minority Leader of the South Dakota House of Representatives | |
In office January 10, 2019 –January 10, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Spencer Hawley |
Succeeded by | Oren Lesmeister |
Member of the South Dakota Senate from the 15th district | |
Assumed office January 14,2025 | |
Preceded by | Reynold Nesiba |
Member of the South DakotaHouseofRepresentatives from the 15th district | |
In office January 10,2017 –January 10,2023 Servingwith Linda Duba | |
Preceded by | Patrick Kirschman |
Succeeded by | Kadyn Wittman |
Personal details | |
Born | January 31,1971 |
Political party | Democratic |
Education | Augustana University |
Jamie R. Smith (born January 31,1971) [1] is an American politician and Senator in the South Dakota Senate. Smith represents District 15,which covers downtown Sioux Falls neighborhoods,including areas around Terrace Park and the Great Plains Zoo. [2] He served as House Minority Leader is the South Dakota House of Representatives from 2019 to 2023. [3] [4] [5]
Smith was the Democratic nominee in the 2022 South Dakota gubernatorial election,losing to incumbent Republican governor Kristi Noem. [6]
Smith is a real estate agent with Hegg Realtors, [7] a former science teacher and wrestling coach, [8] and a member of the Democratic Party. He lives in Sioux Falls. [9]
Smith has earned plaudits from both Republicans and Democrats. In 2025,Greg Jamison,a Republican member of the South Dakota House of Representatives characterized Smith as a "good guy,likable,[and] easy to work with." [10] The previous year,Democratic State Senator Reynold Nesiba stated that he was "thrilled" Smith was running to replace him in the South Dakota Senate. [11]
In 2024,Smith filed to run for the South Dakota State Senate from the 15th District. He faced Republican Brenda Lawrence in the general election,and was elected with 52.4% of the vote. [12]
As a State Senator,Smith supported women's health care and criminal justice reform. [13] [14] During the 2025 legislative session,he encouraged his legislative colleagues to consider drug addiction as "an illness,rather than a moral failing." [15] Smith also opposed school voucher programs. [13]
On May 28th,2025,Smith announced that he would run in the 2026 Sioux Falls mayoral race. [16]
Media related to Jamie Smith (politician) at Wikimedia Commons