Linda Smith (politician) - Definition and Overview

Linda Smith, born July 26, 1950 in La Junta, Colorado, is a member of the Republican Party who represented Washington's 3rd Congressional District from 1995-1999.

Smith began her political career in 1983 when she defeated a Democratic Party incumbent to win a seat in the Washington state house. In 1987 she moved up to the state senate and remained there until her supporters began a September 1994 write-in campaign to elect her to Washington's 3rd Congressional district. In spite of being dubbed the "Hazel Dell housewife", Smith began a 19-day long grassroots campaign which resulted in her winning the Congressional seat. She narrowly won reelection in 1996. Smith was known for her staunch anti-abortion stance and her maverick tendencies, such as opposing the Balanced Budget Amendment, supporting campaign finance reform, and most notably of all, being one of 9 House Republicans to vote against confirming House-Speaker Newt Gingrich in early 1997. In 1998 Smith defeated a well-financed primary opponent to face sitting US Senator Patty Murray, only the third Senate race between two women. Many observers expected the election to be close, but instead Murray won by a lopsided 58-42% margin.

Since Smith's retirement from Congress she has devoted all her energies to ending the practice of human trafficking. She lives in Vancouver, Washington with her husband, and has 6 children and 2 grandchildren.

External links

• Trafficking organization (http://www.sharedhope.org)
• Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington, profile of '98 Senate race (http://www.ariannaonline.com/columns/column.php?id=479)