Shap Smith
Shap Smith | |
|---|---|
| 92nd Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Gaye Symington |
| Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from the Lamoille-Washington 1 district | |
| Assumed office January 9, 2003 | |
| Preceded by | New District[1] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 16, 1965 Danbury, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Melissa Volansky |
| Alma mater | University of Vermont Indiana University, Bloomington |
Shapleigh "Shap" Smith, Jr. (born December 16, 1965 in Danbury, Connecticut) is an American politician who currently serves as the Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives.
In August 2015 Smith announced his candidacy for the 2016 Democratic nomination for Governor of Vermont. In November he suspended his campaign, citing the need to spend time with his wife after she was diagnosed with breast cancer
Biography
Smith graduated from the University of Vermont (B.A., 1987), and is a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He also attended the Indiana University School of Law - Bloomington (J.D., cum laude, 1991). He is an attorney and shareholder with the law firm of Dinse, Knapp & McAndrew, P.C. in Burlington.
Smith, a Democrat, was first elected to the Vermont House in 2002. He represents the Lamoille-Washington 1 District, which includes the Towns of Elmore and Morristown in Lamoille County and Woodbury and Worcester in Washington County.
Early in his House career he was a member of the Ways & Means and Joint Fiscal Committees. On December 6, 2008, House Democrats, who held a 95–48 majority, nominated Smith to be the next Speaker of the Vermont House.[2] He was elected Speaker on January 8, 2009,[3] and was re-elected on January 5, 2011, January 8, 2013, and January 7, 2015.
On August 20, 2015, Smith announced his candidacy for the 2016 Democratic nomination for Governor.[4] In November he withdrew, following his wife's breast cancer diagnosis.[5] Smith indicated in his withdrawal announcement that he was ending his campaign in order to spend more time with his wife during her treatment.[6]
Smith resides in Morristown with his wife, Melissa Volansky, and their two children.
Notes
- ^ "In re Reapportionment of Towns of Woodbury and Worcester". Vermont Supreme Court. September 13, 2004.
- ^ "Morrisville lawmaker nominated as House Speaker". WCAX.com (WCAX-TV Channel 3). December 6, 2008.
- ^ "Speaker chosen, committees named, $120M bond proposed". Barre-Montpelier (Vt.) Times-Argus. January 8, 2009.
- ^ Ledbetter, Stewart (August 20, 2015). "Shap Smith announces he's running for VT governor". WPTZ-TV. Plattsburgh, NY.
- ^ Ledbetter, Stewart (November 18, 2015). "Shap Smith ends bid for governor: Wife diagnosed with cancer; Plans to complete final term as House speaker". WPTZ-TV. Plattsburgh, NY.
- ^ Burbank, April (November 17, 2015). "Shap Smith suspends campaign for governor". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT.