Edward "Smitty" Smith facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Edward "Smitty" Smith
Personal details
Born	1980 Washington, D.C. United States
Political party	Democratic
Education	Brown University (BA) Harvard University (LLB)
Occupation	Attorney
Website	Smitty for AG

Edward H. "Smitty" Smith II, born in 1980, is an American lawyer. He ran for the position of Attorney General for District of Columbia in the 2014 election. He also worked as an advisor for the FCC, which is the Federal Communications Commission.

Early Life and School

Edward Smith was born in Washington, D.C. He grew up in neighborhoods like Congress Heights and LeDroit Park. His family moved to D.C. in 1943. He is the third generation of his family to live there. His father taught physics at Ballou High School. His mother worked for the U.S. government.

Education and College

Smith earned scholarships to attend Beauvoir School and the Potomac School. He then went to Brown University. He earned a Bachelor's degree with honors there. He was also the captain of the track team. Later, he earned a law degree from Harvard Law School.

Smitty Smith's Career

Smith started his law career at a firm called Hogan & Hartson in Washington, D.C. After working there for several years, he joined Barack Obama's presidential campaign in 2008. After Obama was elected, Smith became the Deputy General Counsel for the Presidential Inaugural Committee. This committee helps organize the events when a new president takes office.

Working for the Government

Smith then worked for the Department of Commerce. There, he focused on helping low-income communities grow economically. He also worked at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. He led a program that helped expand internet services. This program used money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. It helped bring broadband internet to rural areas. It also improved internet access for public safety groups. The program even helped families switch from old analog TV to digital TV.

Role at the FCC

Later, Smith joined the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). He became Chief of Staff for a special group. This group worked on a big project to manage radio airwaves. They looked at whether to limit how much big companies like Verizon and AT&T could bid. This was to make sure smaller companies could also get airwaves. In May 2014, Smith spoke to the FCC. He supported these bidding limits. The Commissioners then voted to approve the limits.

After the Election

After his campaign for Attorney General, Smith worked for the D.C. government. He ran the Justice Grants Administration. He then returned to the FCC as an advisor. After that, he joined a law firm called DLA Piper. He won an award for his work representing T-Mobile.

Community Involvement

Smith is involved with DC Vote. This group works to get full voting rights for D.C. residents. He is also on the board of the We the People Project. This project uses legal action to support "full and equal citizenship" for people living in D.C. and U.S. territories.

Campaign for Attorney General

On July 12, 2014, Smith announced he would run for D.C. Attorney General. He made the announcement at his grandmother's former home in the Shaw neighborhood.

Campaign Ideas

Smith believed the D.C. juvenile justice system needed changes. He thought the Attorney General should work closely with the Council of the District of Columbia. He disagreed with the sitting Attorney General, Irvin B. Nathan. Nathan thought a 2012 budget law broke the District of Columbia Home Rule Act.

Campaign Progress

On August 6, Smith's campaign submitted 6,500 signatures. This was more than double the 3,000 needed to get his name on the ballot. His campaign raised over $185,000 in the first fundraising period. This included more money from outside donors than other candidates. For example, Karl Racine raised more, but he loaned most of it to his own campaign.

D.C. Statehood

Smith spoke about D.C. statehood. He told an interviewer that denying D.C. citizens their rights because it might be politically difficult is not fair.

Election Results

A poll in mid-October showed Smith tied for second place. He was behind Karl Racine. Smith's campaign tried to get other candidates to drop out. This was to gather more votes against Racine, but they declined.

Endorsements

• Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO
• Jews United for Justice
• D.C. Police Union
• D.C. Working Families
• Gertrude Stein Democratic Club (an LGBT Democratic group)
• Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ

Final Election Outcome

Smith finished second in the election for Attorney General. He received 21.12% of the votes. The winner, Karl Racine, received 40.65% of the votes.