Ras Smith

RasTafari I. "Ras" Smith (born 29 December 1987) is an American politician from Iowa. He has served in the Iowa House of Representatives since 2017, as a legislator from District 62.

Ras Smith
Member of the Iowa House of Representatives
from the 62nd district
Assumed office
January 9, 2017
Preceded byDeborah Berry
Personal details
Born
RasTafari Smith

(1987-12-29) 29 December 1987
Waterloo, Iowa
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Amelia
Children2
ResidenceWaterloo, Iowa
Alma materUniversity of Northern Iowa
WebsiteSmith's website

Personal life, education, and early career

RasTafari Smith was named for the royal title and given name of Haile Selassie.[1] The name was selected by his mother, Belinda Creighton-Smith, a pastor.[1] Smith's father L. C. is a retired factory worker for John Deere.[2][3] His brothers include Rameses and Myron.[1] Smith is married to Amelia, an educator, with whom he has two children.[1]

Smith was raised in northeast Waterloo, Iowa and attended Northern University High School in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He enrolled at Wartburg College and Iowa State University before completing a bachelor's degree in exercise science at the University of Northern Iowa. Smith then worked as the strength and conditioning coach at Waterloo East High School and volunteered as a member of the high school's American football coaching staff. He left East High to work at a Target Corporation distribution center, then joined Four Oaks, a special education program, as a counselor and later, shift leader. During his time at Four Oaks, Smith worked toward a master's degree in leisure, youth and human services from the University of Northern Iowa. After completing his master's degree, Smith began working for Communities in Schools.[2]

Smith is a Baptist.[3]

Political career

After Deborah Berry announced her retirement, her seat in District 62 was left open.[3] Smith contested that seat in 2016 as a Democratic Party candidate,[3] defeating Republican Party candidate Todd Obadal and political independent John Patterson.[4][5]

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References
  1. Schouten, Fredreka (January 2020). "'Being black isn't enough'". CNN. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  2. Wind, Andrew (2 January 2018). "Ras Smith: Striving to support students, constituents". Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  3. Crippes, Christina (17 March 2016). "UPDATED: Waterloo State Rep. Berry won't seek re-election". Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  4. Crippes, Christina (20 August 2016). "Republican Todd Obadal running in District 62". Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  5. Cripes, Christina (5 August 2016). "Patterson makes bid for House District 62 seat". Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
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