John R. Smith (politician, born 1945)

John R. Smith
Louisiana State Senator for District 30 (Beauregard, Calcasieu, and Vernon parishes)
In office 2008–2020
Preceded by	James David Cain
Succeeded by	Mike Reese
Louisiana State Representative for District 30 (Beauregard and Vernon parishes)[1]
In office 1988–2008
Preceded by	Claude "Buddy" Leach[2]
Succeeded by	James Armes[2]
Personal details
Born	(1945-12-29) December 29, 1945 (age 79)
Political party	Republican (2010-present)
Other political affiliations	Democratic (Before 2010)
Spouse	Pamela Arnondin Smith
Relations	Chris John (son-in-law)
Children	Bradford Smith Payton Smith John
Residence(s)	Leesville Vernon Parish Louisiana, USA
Alma mater	Loyola University New Orleans
Occupation	Businessman

John R. Smith (born December 29, 1945) is a politician from Leesville, Louisiana. He is a Republican former member of the Louisiana State Senate for District 30.^[3]

In 2010, Smith switched from Democratic to Republican party affiliation.^[4]

Background

Smith received both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees from the Roman Catholic Loyola University in New Orleans.^[5]

Smith is also a former member of the Vernon Parish Police Jury and was the jury president from 1980 to 1983. Those same years, he also served on the Louisiana Democratic State Central Committee.^[5]

Smith and his wife, the former Pamela Arnondin, have a son and a daughter, Bradford Smith and Payton Smith John,^[5] the wife of former United States Representative Chris John of Louisiana's 7th congressional district, since disbanded.

Legislative matters

Thereafter, Smith was unopposed for the House in 1995, 1999, and 2003.^[2]

Smith chairs the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs Committee. He is a member of on the Incentive Program Review Subcommittee of the Joint Budget Committee.^[6]

2011 election

In his bid for a second term in the general election held on November 19, 2011, Smith defeated his predecessor in the office, James David Cain. Smith received 8,457 votes (59.4 percent) to Cain's 5,772 (40.6 percent).^[7]

Smith carried the backing of Governor Bobby Jindal. In the primary held on October 22, 2011, he led a three-candidate field with 9,808 votes (45.6 percent). Cain trailed with 6,343 (29.5 percent). Democrat Terry Fowler held the remaining but critical 5,370 votes (25 percent).^[8]

Notes

1. In Vernon Parish, the states House and state Senate districts are both numbered "30".
2. "Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2008" (PDF). house.louisiana.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 31, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2009.
3. Smith bio on the Louisiana Senate site (accessed 2010-12-09).
4. Moller, Jan (2010-12-09). "State Sen. John Alario switches to GOP". Times-Picayune. No. Saint Tammany Edition. p. A2. Archived from the original on December 23, 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-09.
5. "Senator John R. Smith (LA)". votesmart.org. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
6. "Senator John R. Smith (LA)". votesmart.org. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
7. Louisiana Secretary of State, General election returns, November 19, 2011
8. "Louisiana primary election returns, October 22, 2011". staticresults.sos.la.gov. Retrieved October 22, 2011.

Louisiana State Senate
Preceded by James David Cain	Louisiana State Senator for District 30 (Beauregard, Calcasieu, and Vernon parishes) John R. Smith 2008–2020	Succeeded by Mike Reese
Louisiana House of Representatives
Preceded by Claude "Buddy" Leach	Louisiana State Representative for District 30 (Beauregard and Vernon parishes) John R. Smith 1988–2008	Succeeded by James Armes