Cameron Smyth
Encyclopedia
Cameron Smyth is a Republican
who has represented California's 38th Assembly district since December 2006. He succeeded Keith Richman
who was term-limited
. On March 18, 2010, Assembly Speaker John Pérez
officially announced that Smyth would be assuming the chairmanship of the Assembly Local Government Committee, one of only two Republican
committee chairs.
Prior to being elected to the state legislature, Smyth served on the Santa Clarita
City Council, where he was first elected in 2000 and re-elected in 2004. During his time on the council, Smyth twice served as mayor, first in 2003 and again in 2005.
and raised in Santa Clarita
, Smyth attended local public schools and earned his B.A.
in Rhetoric and Communications from the University of California, Davis
, where he was also a two-sport athlete.
. In 1994 he was hired by the late State Assemblyman William "Pete" Knight
. In 1996, Smyth served as campaign manager for Knight's successful State Senate campaign. Other than Garrett Biggs, who served as on-site manager for the late Assemblyman Nao Takasugi
's successful re-election campaign, Smyth was the youngest on-site manager for any state legislative race in California at that time.
Upon winning the election, Knight promoted Smyth to the position of Deputy Chief of Staff. In 2000, Smyth moved to the private sector to operate his own consulting business.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
who has represented California's 38th Assembly district since December 2006. He succeeded Keith Richman
Keith Richman
Keith Stuart Richman was a California Republican politician. From 2000 to 2006, he served in the California State Assembly representing the 38th Assembly District based in Northwest Los Angeles County....
who was term-limited
Term limit
A term limit is a legal restriction that limits the number of terms a person may serve in a particular elected office. When term limits are found in presidential and semi-presidential systems they act as a method to curb the potential for monopoly, where a leader effectively becomes "president for...
. On March 18, 2010, Assembly Speaker John Pérez
John Pérez
John A. Pérez is a union organizer and politician from Los Angeles, California, who has been the Speaker of the California State Assembly since March 1, 2010. A Democrat, he represents the 46th district in the California State Assembly.-Early life and career:Pérez grew up in El Sereno and Highland...
officially announced that Smyth would be assuming the chairmanship of the Assembly Local Government Committee, one of only two Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
committee chairs.
Prior to being elected to the state legislature, Smyth served on the Santa Clarita
Santa Clarita
Santa Clarita can refer to:* Santa Clarita, California* Santa Clarita Valley* Valencia, California...
City Council, where he was first elected in 2000 and re-elected in 2004. During his time on the council, Smyth twice served as mayor, first in 2003 and again in 2005.
Background
Born in PasadenaPasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
and raised in Santa Clarita
Santa Clarita, California
Santa Clarita is the fourth largest city in Los Angeles County, California, United States and the twenty-fourth largest city in the state of California. The 2010 US Census reported the city's population grew 16.7% from the year 2000 to 176,320 residents. It is located about northwest of downtown...
, Smyth attended local public schools and earned his B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Rhetoric and Communications from the University of California, Davis
University of California, Davis
The University of California, Davis is a public teaching and research university established in 1905 and located in Davis, California, USA. Spanning over , the campus is the largest within the University of California system and third largest by enrollment...
, where he was also a two-sport athlete.
Political background
Smyth began his career as a Field Representative for the California Republican PartyCalifornia Republican Party
The California Republican Party is the California affiliate of the United States Republican Party. The party chairman is Tom Del Beccaro and is based in Burbank, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. The RPC also has a headquarters in Sacramento....
. In 1994 he was hired by the late State Assemblyman William "Pete" Knight
William J. Knight
William J. "Pete" Knight was a U.S. politician, combat pilot, test pilot, and astronaut. Knight holds the world's speed record for flight in a winged, powered aircraft...
. In 1996, Smyth served as campaign manager for Knight's successful State Senate campaign. Other than Garrett Biggs, who served as on-site manager for the late Assemblyman Nao Takasugi
Nao Takasugi
Nao Takasugi was an American politician from California, a member of the Republican Party, and a survivor of the Japanese American internment camps.-Early life:...
's successful re-election campaign, Smyth was the youngest on-site manager for any state legislative race in California at that time.
Upon winning the election, Knight promoted Smyth to the position of Deputy Chief of Staff. In 2000, Smyth moved to the private sector to operate his own consulting business.