Quick Facts
Biography
Thurston "Smitty" Smith (born March 9, 1958) is an American businessman and politician who is a member of the California State Assembly from the 33rd district. He assumed office on December 7, 2020, succeeding Jay Obernolte. He left office on December 3, 2022, after losing re-election to another Republican incumbent, Tom Lackey.
Early life and education
Smith was born in Hesperia, California, and took classes at Victor Valley College.
Career
Prior to his election to the Assembly, Smith owned a concrete company. He served on the Hesperia City Council from 2006 to 2014 and on the Mohave Valley Water Agency from 2016 to 2018. After Jay Obernolte declined to seek re-election to the Assembly and instead run for California's 8th congressional district, Smith announced his candidacy to succeed him. Smith placed first in the nonpartisan blanket primary and defeated fellow Republican Rick Herrick, the Mayor of Big Bear Lake, in the November general election. In the 2022 2022 California State Assembly election for Distirct 34, Smith lost re-election to fellow Republican incumbent Tom Lackey.
Personal life
Smith lives in Apple Valley, California with his wife Margaret.
Election results
2020
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Thurston "Smitty" Smith | 32,891 | 37.9% | |
| Republican | Rick Herrick | 14,922 | 17.2% | |
| Democratic | Socorro Cisneros | 12,136 | 14.0% | |
| Democratic | Blanca A. Gomez | 8,950 | 10.3% | |
| Democratic | Anthony A. Rhoades | 7,670 | 8.8% | |
| Democratic | Roger La Plante | 5,655 | 6.5% | |
| Republican | Alex Walton | 4,564 | 5.3% | |
| Total votes | 86,788 | 100.0% | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Thurston “Smitty” Smith | 86,948 | 54.9% | |
| Republican | Rick Herrick | 71,567 | 45.1% | |
| Total votes | 158,515 | 100.0% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
