Kathy Smith (American politician)

Kathy Smith is an American politician, a Democrat, and a former teacher. She currently serves as district supervisor of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, a position she was elected to on November 5, 2019. Smith has served on the Board since January 2016, where she is also chairwoman of the Board's Development Process Committee and as a member of several more committees.[1]

Before she was elected to the Board of Supervisors, Smith served as the Sully District Representative to the Fairfax County School Board for 14 years. From the beginning of her time in office, Smith has represented 100,000 residents.

Early life and career

Smith is originally from New Jersey, and she began her career as a teacher. After graduating from Muhlenberg College with a dual Bachelor of Arts in sociology and elementary education, Smith taught first grade in New Jersey and then second grade at an international school in Saudi Arabia, for a total of seven years. She stopped working to raise her children full time until she began running for office.

Smith moved to the Sully district of Fairfax, Virginia in 1984 with her husband, Steve. The couple have four grown children, who all attended Fairfax County Public Schools while growing up. Smith's public career began when she served as PTA president at the three schools her children attended: Poplar Tree Elementary School, Rocky Run Middle School, and Chantilly High School.

Political beliefs

Smith is a member of the Democratic Party. Throughout her political career, she has advocated for improved education, transportation, and environmental protections.

Election Run, 2015-2016

Smith first ran for office in 2015-16 as a candidate to replace retiring supervisor Michael R. Frey, who had held the position for 24 years.[2][3]

In a 2015 interview, Smith distinguished herself from her opponent, Republican John Guevara, by noting "We see the job of supervisor and the role of local government very differently."[4] She went on to say that she would work full-time in the position, prioritize education, and approach issues "in a non-partisan manner to find common sense solutions to the challenges we face as our population ages and changes."[4] Guevara later tried, unsuccessfully, to attack Smith on the basis of her husband's salary, saying that she could afford to be supervisor full-time because he still needed to work another job to support his family.[5]

Smith was elected by a 52% to 48% margin over Guevara.[6][7] Her commitment to community well-being and meeting residents' needs during her term included increasing public works budgets and appearing at casual events, such as a Pokémon Go event sponsored at a local park.[8]

Election Run, 2019–2020

Smith ran for re-election and a second term in 2019.[9] Her platform emphasized funding education, protecting the local environment, improving transportation and reducing commute times, and meeting the needs of a diverse Fairfax population.[10]

In a 2019 interview, Smith pointed out that "Our county government employees, county first responders, caregivers in the healthcare and education industries cannot live in the communities that they serve, protect, help, and educate. Our workers should have the opportunity to live in the area that they spend the most time in."[11]

Her run for re-election was endorsed by several local organizations and unions.[12]

Ultimately, Smith won 62.85% of the vote, while her opponent, Republican Srilekha Palle, gained 36.88%.[13][14] This victory was part of a larger Democratic win that secured several legislative majorities across Virginia.[15][16]

References
  1. "About Supervisor Smith | Board of Supervisors - Sully". www.fairfaxcounty.gov. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  2. Olivo, Antonio (2015-01-22). "Fairfax school board's Kathy Smith to run for Sully District supervisor seat". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  3. Olivo, Antonio (2015-04-22). "Republicans vie to replace retiring supervisor in Fairfax's Sully District". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  4. "Fairfax County Board of Supervisors-Sully: Kathy Smith (D)". www.connectionnewspapers.com. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  5. Sullivan, Patricia (2015-09-02). "Fairfax candidate slammed for focusing on salary of opponent's spouse". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  6. lowkell. "Another Possible Democratic Challenger to Rep. Barbara Comstock: Fairfax County Supervisor Kathy Smith". Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  7. "Fairfax County Public Schools elections (2015)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  8. "Fairfax County Police Host 'Pokemon Go' Event". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  9. Times, Angela Woolsey/Fairfax County. "Kathy Smith seeks second term on board of supervisors". Fairfax County Times. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  10. "Issues". Kathy Smith. 2019-10-30. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  11. Alpert, David (2019-09-17). "Fairfax Supervisor candidates in Sully and Braddock talk housing and transportation". ggwash.org. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  12. "Endorsements". Kathy Smith. 2015-10-22. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  13. "vpap.org". The Virginia Public Access Project. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  14. "Fairfax County election results 2019". WTOP. 2019-11-06. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  15. Newspapers, BRIAN TROMPTER, Sun Gazette. "Democrats walk away with Fairfax election, gain legislative majorities". INSIDENOVA.COM. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  16. "Fairfax County Election Results 2019: Board Of Supervisors Chosen". Greater Alexandria, VA Patch. 2019-11-06. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
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