Shirley Smith (politician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shirley A. Smith
Member of the Ohio Senate from the 21st district
In office January 2, 2007 – November 30, 2014
Preceded by	C. J. Prentiss
Succeeded by	Sandra Williams
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 10th district
In office January 6, 2003 – January 2, 2007
Preceded by	Annie L. Key
Succeeded by	Eugene Miller
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 8th district
In office January 3, 1999 – January 6, 2003
Preceded by	C. J. Prentiss
Succeeded by	Lance Mason
Personal details
Born	(1950-11-29) November 29, 1950 (age 74) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Children	2
Education	Cuyahoga Community College (AA) Cleveland State University (BA)

Shirley A. Smith was born on November 29, 1950. She is an American politician. She worked in the Ohio Senate from 2007 to 2014. Before that, she was part of the Ohio House of Representatives. Shirley Smith is a member of the Democratic Party.

Early Life and School

Shirley Smith grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. She went to Cuyahoga Community College. There, she earned an associate degree. Later, she studied at Cleveland State University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cleveland State.

Shirley Smith's Career

Shirley Smith has had many different jobs. She worked in sales and marketing. She was also a radio talk-show host in Cleveland. She even worked as a consultant for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company.

Starting in the Ohio House

In 1998, Shirley Smith decided to run for a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives. The person who held the seat, C. J. Prentiss, was running for the Ohio Senate. Shirley Smith won the first election, called the primary election. She then won the main election against a Republican candidate.

She was re-elected to the Ohio House in 2000. In 2002, the election districts changed. Shirley Smith still won her primary election. She then ran unopposed in the main election. This means no one ran against her. She was also unopposed in the 2004 election. During her time in the Ohio House, she was the secretary for the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus. This group helps represent African American lawmakers.

Serving in the Ohio Senate

In 2005, Shirley Smith decided to run for the Ohio Senate. She wanted to take the place of C. J. Prentiss, who could not run again. Shirley Smith won the primary election. She then won the main election in 2006. In the Ohio Senate, she became the president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus.

In 2008, Shirley Smith became the assistant minority leader for the Senate Democrats. This means she helped lead the Democratic Party in the Senate. She kept this role in the next session of the Senate. In 2010, she was elected for a second term in the Ohio Senate. She left her position a month before her term ended in 2014.

Running for U.S. House

In 2021, Shirley Smith decided to run for the United States House of Representatives. This was a special election for Ohio's 11th congressional district. She ran in the Democratic primary election on August 3, 2021. She placed fifth in that election.

Personal Life

Shirley Smith is divorced and has two children. She lives in Cleveland, Ohio. She also owns property in South Euclid, Ohio.