Loretta Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Loretta Smith
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| Member of Portland City Council from District 1 | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2025 Serving with Candace Avalos and Jamie Dunphy
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| Preceded by | office established |
| Multnomah County Commissioner | |
| In office January 2011 – January 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Jeff Cogen |
| Succeeded by | Susheela Jayapal |
| Constituency | 2nd district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1966 (age 58–59) Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Oregon State University (BA) |
Loretta Smith (born 1966) is an American politician and businesswoman. She is currently a member of the Portland City Council for District 1. Before this, she worked as a Multnomah County commissioner from 2011 to 2018. She also ran for other political roles in 2018, 2020, and 2022.
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Early Life and Education
Loretta Smith was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1966. Her father, Wade Smith, was a famous boxer. When she was in high school, Loretta was part of the Black Student Union. She also enjoyed sports, joining the track and cheerleading teams.
At just 17 years old, she started attending Oregon State University. She studied communications and earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1987.
Career in Public Service
After finishing college, Loretta Smith began working for U.S. Representative Ron Wyden. She stayed on his team for 21 years. During this time, she became his field representative, helping people in his local area.
Multnomah County Commissioner
Loretta Smith started her own political journey in 2010. She ran for a position called Multnomah County Commissioner. A county commissioner helps manage local government services. These services include things like libraries, parks, and health programs.
She won her election and focused on helping young people in need. She worked to create programs that supported them. Smith also served on a board that aimed to lower unemployment, especially for people of color. She was re-elected in 2014.
After serving two terms, she could not run for County Commissioner again due to term limits.
Portland City Council Campaigns
In 2018, Loretta Smith ran for a spot on the Portland City Council. The City Council makes important decisions for the city. She ran again in 2020 for a special election. Many people supported her, including U.S. Senator Ron Wyden. She won the first round of voting but lost in the final election.
Starting Her Own Business
In 2019, Loretta Smith started her own business. It's called Dream Big Communications. Her company helps groups work together and improve their communities. She specializes in building strong connections between people.
Running for Congress
In 2021, Loretta Smith announced she would run for a seat in the U.S. Congress. This was for a new district in Oregon.
Personal Life
Loretta Smith has one son named Jordan, who was born in 1990. She raised him as a single mother.
