Rick Smith

Rick Smith is an American politician, attorney, and former nonprofit executive serving as the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 11th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, he was first elected to Congress in 2018. Smith is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and sits on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Early life and education

Rick Smith was born in Detroit and raised in the nearby suburb of Royal Oak. His father worked as a UAW machinist at a Ford Motor Company plant, while his mother was a public school teacher in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Smith attended Royal Oak High School, where he was elected student body president. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Michigan in 1990, graduating with high distinction. He then attended Harvard Law School, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1993. During his time at Harvard University, he served as an editor for the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review.

Career

After law school, Smith clerked for Judge Damon Keith on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He then joined the Detroit office of the law firm Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn, specializing in civil rights and employment law. In 2001, he left private practice to become the founding executive director of the Michigan Justice Institute, a nonprofit organization focused on voting rights, criminal justice reform, and environmental justice. Under his leadership, the institute litigated several high-profile cases, including a successful challenge to gerrymandering in the Michigan Legislature. Prior to his congressional run, Smith served for eight years on the Royal Oak City Commission, including two terms as mayor pro tem.

Political positions and views

Smith is considered a progressive Democrat. He is a vocal supporter of the Green New Deal and has introduced legislation to invest in renewable energy and electric vehicle infrastructure. He is a co-sponsor of the Medicare for All Act and the College for All Act. On the House Committee on the Judiciary, he has advocated for expanding the Supreme Court of the United States and has been a critic of decisions like Citizens United v. FEC. Regarding foreign policy, Smith has called for conditioning military aid to Israel and supports the Iran nuclear deal. He voted for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

Electoral history

* 2018: Smith won the Democratic primary for Michigan's 11th congressional district with 38% of the vote, defeating candidates including Haley Stevens. In the general election, he defeated Republican nominee Kerry Bentivolio with 53% of the vote. * 2020: He was re-elected, defeating Republican Mike Kowall with 55% of the vote in the 2020 United States House of Representatives elections. * 2022: Following redistricting, he ran in the newly configured Michigan's 11th congressional district. He won the Democratic primary uncontested and defeated Republican Mark Ambrose in the general election with 58% of the vote.

Personal life

Smith married Lisa Chen, a professor of public health at Wayne State University, in 1995. They have two children and reside in Royal Oak. He is an avid runner and has completed the Detroit Free Press Marathon on multiple occasions. Smith serves on the board of directors for the Detroit Institute of Arts and is a member of the NAACP and the Sierra Club.