Changes

A [[conservative populism|conservative populist]] and strong [[Trump]] supporter, Rep. Smith was elected on the second ballot in a tight race for the coveted chairmanship of the [[Ways and Means Committee]] in [[Congress]], on January 9, 2023.<ref>https://www.politico.com/minutes/congress/01-9-2023/smith-wins-ways-and-means/</ref>

A [[conservative populism|conservative populist]] and strong [[Trump]] supporter, Rep. Smith was elected on the second ballot in a tight race for the coveted chairmanship of the [[Ways and Means Committee]] in [[Congress]], on January 9, 2023.<ref>https://www.politico.com/minutes/congress/01-9-2023/smith-wins-ways-and-means/</ref>

“Smith, who advocates positioning the GOP as the party of the working class, represents a shift in Republican economic strategy away from the pro-free-trade, pro-business alignment it’s espoused for decades,” observed reporters  Laura Davison and Chris Cioffi for Bloomberg.<ref>https://www.thefiscaltimes.com/newsletter/20230109-House-Republicans-Next-Big-Fight</ref>

“Smith, who advocates positioning the GOP as the party of the working class, represents a shift in Republican economic strategy away from the pro–[[free trade]], pro-business alignment it’s espoused for decades,” observed reporters  Laura Davison and Chris Cioffi for Bloomberg.<ref>https://www.thefiscaltimes.com/newsletter/20230109-House-Republicans-Next-Big-Fight</ref>

==Early Life==

==Early Life==

==Missouri House of Representatives==

==Missouri House of Representatives==

In 2005, [[Democratic]] state legislator Frank Barnitz, representing the 150th District (in which Smith resided), announced his resignation, forcing a special election to replace him. Despite having only just that summer turned 25 and thus become eligible to serve in the Missouri House of Representatives, Smith announced his candidacy on the Republican ticket, and when the election was held on November 8, 2005, he won with 54% of the vote. When he assumed office six days later, he was the youngest member of the state legislature. He won reelection to his first full term the following year, and successfully ran again in 2008, 2010, and finally 2012, after which he was term-limited. After 2008 he was unopposed by Democrat candidates.<ref>https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/special/110805-rep150.asp</ref>

In 2005, [[Democratic]] state legislator Frank Barnitz, representing the 150th District (in which Smith resided), announced his resignation, forcing a special election to replace him. Despite having only just that summer turned 25 and thus become eligible to serve in the Missouri House of Representatives, Smith announced his candidacy on the Republican ticket, and when the election was held on November 8, 2005, he won with 54% of the vote. When he assumed office six days later, he was the youngest member of the state legislature. He won reelection to his first full term the following year, and successfully ran again in 2008, 2010, and finally 2012, after which he was term-limited. After 2008 he was unopposed by Democrat candidates.<ref>https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/special/110805-rep150.asp</ref>