James E. Smith Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James E. Smith Jr.
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| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 72nd district |
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| In office June 20, 1996 – January 9, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Timothy Folk Rogers |
| Succeeded by | Seth Rose |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Emerson Smith Jr.
September 9, 1967 Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Mary Kirkland
(m. 1991) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Julian Adams II (first cousin) Elizabeth Nelson Adams (aunt) Patrick Henry Nelson III (grandfather) Patrick Henry Nelson II (great-great grandfather) |
| Education | University of South Carolina, Columbia (BA, JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1996–1998 (reserve) 1998–present (national guard) |
| Rank |  Major |
| Unit | United States Army Reserve South Carolina Army National Guard |
| Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan |
| Awards |  Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart |
James Emerson Smith Jr. (born September 9, 1967) is an American politician. He served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1996 to 2019. Smith is also a combat veteran and an officer in the South Carolina Army National Guard. He owns a small business and works as a lawyer in Columbia, South Carolina.
In 2018, Smith was the Democratic candidate for Governor of South Carolina. He ran against the current governor, Henry McMaster, but did not win the election.
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Early Life and Education
James E. Smith Jr. was born on September 9, 1967. His hometown is Columbia, South Carolina. His parents are James E. Smith Sr. and Nina Nelson Smith. His family has a long history of military service. They have served in every war since the American Revolutionary War.
Smith went to the University of South Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1990. Later, he received a law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1995. After law school, he became a licensed lawyer in South Carolina and North Carolina.
Political Career
Smith was first elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1996. He represented the 72nd district, which is part of Richland County. He is known as a supporter of former President Joe Biden. Smith supported Biden in the 2008 presidential election.
Running for Governor in 2018
In 2017, James Smith announced he might run for Governor of South Carolina. Many people thought he would be a strong candidate. Former Vice President Joe Biden encouraged him to run. Biden said he trusted Smith completely.
Smith officially announced his campaign on October 5, 2017. He was the first Democrat to enter the race. He chose Mandy Powers Norrell as his running mate for lieutenant governor. On November 6, 2018, Smith lost the election to Governor Henry McMaster. Smith received 46% of the votes.
Military Service
Smith joined the United States Army Reserve in 1996. He worked as a lawyer in the military's legal branch. In 1998, he moved to the South Carolina Army National Guard. After the September 11 attacks in 2001, Smith decided to become an infantry soldier. He went through basic training to become a combat soldier.
In February 2007, Smith was sent to Afghanistan. He served as an infantry officer during Operation Enduring Freedom. He advised Afghan security forces in remote areas. During his 12-month tour, he earned several awards. These include the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. He is still a member of the South Carolina Army National Guard. His current rank is Major.
Legal Career
In 1995, James Smith started his own law firm. It is called James E. Smith, Jr., P.A. His firm helps people in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. They offer legal help to people who have been injured. They also handle group lawsuits and business law cases.
In 2022, Smith became a partner at the law firm Nelson Mullins. In 2024, he became a candidate for a judge position. This position was for the South Carolina Circuit Court.
Personal Life
James Smith married Mary Kirkland Thomas on February 9, 1991. They have four children. Their names are Evie Emerson Smith, Thomas Bridges, Paul Bradford Jr., and Shannon Elizabeth. Smith is a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. He is also a member of the Church of the Apostles.
From 2019 to 2022, Smith worked for Palmetto College. This is an online school program at the University of South Carolina. He was the executive director for military programs. During this time, he also continued his work as a private lawyer.
