Mike Smith (Louisiana politician)
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Michael Smith, Sr., known as Mike Smith (born June 1, 1948), is a businessman in Winnfield
, Louisiana
, who served as a Democratic
member of the Louisiana State Senate
from 1996 to 2008.
Smith was term-limited in District 31, which encompasses all or parts of De Soto, Grant
, Natchitoches
, Red River
, Sabine
, and Winn
parishes. In the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 20, 2007, Smith was succeeded by his Republican
cousin
, Gerald Long
, a Winnfield native residing in Natchitoches
. Long defeated outgoing State Representative
Taylor Townsend
, an attorney
also from Natchitoches. Oddly, Townsend in 1999, had defeated Long’s brother, Jimmy D. Long
of Natchitoches, for the state House seat.
Smith was born in Winnfield to P.K. Smith
(September 21, 1917–March 1983) and the former Marjorie McLamore (March 27, 1923–April 30, 1997). He graduated in 1966 from Winnfield Senior High School, where he was active in the Future Farmers of America. One of his classmates was James R. "Jim" Fannin
, a state representative since 2003 from Jonesboro
in Jackson Parish
, whose District 13 also includes the northern portion of Winn Parish. Another was Danny Keys, director of the Louisiana Technical College
- Huey P. Long Campus in Long's native Winnfield. In 1970, Smith obtained a degree in agribusiness
from Northwestern State University
in Natchitoches. For two years, he taught in public schools. In February 1974, Smith, his father, and brother, Perry Joe Smith, Sr. (1943–2009), launched a combined General Motors
and Chrysler
car dealership, which still operates at the intersection of U.S. Highway 84 and 167 in Winnfield. In 2009, Chrysler pulled out of the Winnfield market; Smith now handles Chevrolet
, Buick
, Pontiac
, and Cadillac
vehicles. Smith co-owned the business with his brother. The Smith family formerly operated other businesses, including a motel
, restaurant
, drive-in theater
, dress shop, beauty shop, and a franchise of the former Gibson Discount Company.
P.K. Smith served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
for a single term from 1960 to 1964. Perry Joe Smith was a former member of the Winn Parish Police Jury and operated other businesses, including P&K Farms, the former Perry Joe Smith Ford in Montgomery
in Grant Parish, Popeyes Chicken in Winnfield, and Brushy Creek Oil Company. He was also active in the local, state, and national Cattlemen's associations.
Smith won his Senate seat in the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 21, 1995, by defeating an intraparty rival, Mike Henry, 22,980 (61.7 percent) to 14,244 (38.3 percent). In 1999, Smith again dispatched a Democratic rival, James Haley, 23,283 (68.1 percent) to 10,899 (31.9 percent). He was unopposed in the 2003 primary for his third and last Senate term. Senator Smith served on the Agriculture Committee and was its chairman from 2000 to 2008. He also served on the Commerce Committee as vice chairman from 1996 to 2000 and on Revenue and Finance, starting in 1997.
Smith considers the establishment of the new Huey Long technical college facility the "gold star" of his career in the state Senate. The institution outgrew its previous downtown Winnfield location, and the new structure is under construction in north Winnfield off Highway 167 near the senior high school.
He is a member of the Masonic lodge
, Rotary International
, and, like most members of the extended Long family, the Baptist Church. Smith is a first cousin of Senator Gerald Long because Long's mother, Ruby Smith Long (1906–1984) of Natchitoches, was a sister of P.K. Smith.
Smith is a critic of the syndicated radio
talk show
host Moon Griffon
, based in Monroe
. In October 2010, he called the program, using his first name "Kenneth," alleging that two unnamed Republicans control the content of Griffon's remarks. Griffon replies that he alone owns his program and speaks his own views without dictation from anyone else.
Winnfield, Louisiana
Winnfield is a city in and the parish seat of Winn Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 5,749 at the 2000 census. It has long been associated with the Long faction of the Louisiana Democratic Party and was home to three governors of Louisiana.-Geography:Winnfield is located at ...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, who served as a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Louisiana State Senate
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
from 1996 to 2008.
Smith was term-limited in District 31, which encompasses all or parts of De Soto, Grant
Grant Parish, Louisiana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 18,698 people, 7,073 households, and 5,276 families residing in the parish. The population density was 29 people per square mile . There were 8,531 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
, Natchitoches
Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
Natchitoches Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Natchitoches. As of 2000, the population was 39,080. This is the heart of the Cane River Louisiana Creole community...
, Red River
Red River Parish, Louisiana
Red River Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Its seat is Coushatta. It was one of the newer parishes created in 1871 by the state legislature under Reconstruction...
, Sabine
Sabine Parish, Louisiana
Sabine Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The seat of the parish is Many. In 2010, the parish's population was 24,233....
, and Winn
Winn Parish, Louisiana
Winn Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Its seat is Winnfield. In 2000, its population was 16,894.The parish has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water....
parishes. In the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 20, 2007, Smith was succeeded by his 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...
cousin
Cousin
In kinship terminology, a cousin is a relative with whom one shares one or more common ancestors. The term is rarely used when referring to a relative in one's immediate family where there is a more specific term . The term "blood relative" can be used synonymously and establishes the existence of...
, Gerald Long
Gerald Long
Gerald Long , is a rare Republican member of the traditionally Democratic Long political dynasty in the U.S. state of Louisiana. Specifically, he is a third cousin of the late Governors Huey Pierce Long, Jr., and Earl Kemp Long...
, a Winnfield native residing in Natchitoches
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Natchitoches is a city in and the parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. Established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis as part of French Louisiana, the community was named after the Natchitoches Indian tribe. The City of Natchitoches was first incorporated on February...
. Long defeated outgoing State Representative
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
Taylor Townsend
Taylor Townsend (Louisiana politician)
Thomas Taylor Townsend, known as Taylor Townsend , is an attorney from Natchitoches, Louisiana, who served as a Democrat in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2000-2008. Townsend is a nephew and law partner of former Louisiana State Senator Donald G. Kelly, in the firm Kelly, Townsend &...
, an attorney
Attorney at law
An attorney at law in the United States is a practitioner in a court of law who is legally qualified to prosecute and defend actions in such court on the retainer of clients. Alternative terms include counselor and lawyer...
also from Natchitoches. Oddly, Townsend in 1999, had defeated Long’s brother, Jimmy D. Long
Jimmy D. Long
Jimmy Dale Long, Sr. , is a former Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. He represented District 23 from 1968 until 2000, being the "dean" of the Louisiana House when he returned to private life. He is a recognized authority on educational policy. For sixteen years, he...
of Natchitoches, for the state House seat.
Smith was born in Winnfield to P.K. Smith
P.K. Smith
Perry K. Smith, known as P.K. Smith , was a businessman from Winnfield, Louisiana, who served a single term in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1960-1964 during the administration of Governor Jimmie Davis. In 1974, Smith and his sons, Kenneth Michael "Mike" Smith and Perry Joe Smith,...
(September 21, 1917–March 1983) and the former Marjorie McLamore (March 27, 1923–April 30, 1997). He graduated in 1966 from Winnfield Senior High School, where he was active in the Future Farmers of America. One of his classmates was James R. "Jim" Fannin
James R. Fannin
James Roy Fannin , known as Jim Fannin, is the Democratic chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the Louisiana House of Representatives. He is a former educator and active businessman in Jonesboro, the seat of Jackson Parish in north Louisiana, In 2003, Fannin was elected to represent House...
, a state representative since 2003 from Jonesboro
Jonesboro, Louisiana
Jonesboro is a town in and the parish seat of Jackson Parish in the northern portion of the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population was 3,914 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Ruston Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
in Jackson Parish
Jackson Parish, Louisiana
Jackson Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish was formed in 1845 from parts of Claiborne, Ouachita, and Union Parishes. In 2010, its population was 16,274. The parish seat is Jonesboro...
, whose District 13 also includes the northern portion of Winn Parish. Another was Danny Keys, director of the Louisiana Technical College
Louisiana Technical College
Louisiana Technical College is an institute for professional technical education in the state of Louisiana, with campuses across the state. Louisiana Technical College has no affiliation to Louisiana Tech University.-History:...
- Huey P. Long Campus in Long's native Winnfield. In 1970, Smith obtained a degree in agribusiness
Agribusiness
In agriculture, agribusiness is a generic term for the various businesses involved in food production, including farming and contract farming, seed supply, agrichemicals, farm machinery, wholesale and distribution, processing, marketing, and retail sales....
from Northwestern State University
Northwestern State University
Northwestern State University, known as NSU, is a four-year public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.NSU was founded in 1884 as...
in Natchitoches. For two years, he taught in public schools. In February 1974, Smith, his father, and brother, Perry Joe Smith, Sr. (1943–2009), launched a combined General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
and Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
car dealership, which still operates at the intersection of U.S. Highway 84 and 167 in Winnfield. In 2009, Chrysler pulled out of the Winnfield market; Smith now handles Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
, Buick
Buick
Buick is a premium brand of General Motors . Buick models are sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Taiwan, and Israel, with China being its largest market. Buick holds the distinction as the oldest active American make...
, Pontiac
Pontiac
Pontiac was an automobile brand that was established in 1926 as a companion make for General Motors' Oakland. Quickly overtaking its parent in popularity, it supplanted the Oakland brand entirely by 1933 and, for most of its life, became a companion make for Chevrolet. Pontiac was sold in the...
, and Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
vehicles. Smith co-owned the business with his brother. The Smith family formerly operated other businesses, including a motel
Motel
A motor hotel, or motel for short, is a hotel designed for motorists, and usually has a parking area for motor vehicles...
, restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
, drive-in theater
Drive-in theater
A drive-in theater is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor screen, a projection booth, a concession stand and a large parking area for automobiles. Within this enclosed area, customers can view movies from the privacy and comfort of their cars.The screen can be as simple as a...
, dress shop, beauty shop, and a franchise of the former Gibson Discount Company.
P.K. Smith served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
for a single term from 1960 to 1964. Perry Joe Smith was a former member of the Winn Parish Police Jury and operated other businesses, including P&K Farms, the former Perry Joe Smith Ford in Montgomery
Montgomery, Louisiana
left|thumb|200px|First Baptist Church in MontgomeryMontgomery is a town in Grant Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 787 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Alexandria Metropolitan Statistical Area. Founded in 1712, even before New Orleans, Montgomery is situated on U.S...
in Grant Parish, Popeyes Chicken in Winnfield, and Brushy Creek Oil Company. He was also active in the local, state, and national Cattlemen's associations.
Smith won his Senate seat in the nonpartisan blanket primary held on October 21, 1995, by defeating an intraparty rival, Mike Henry, 22,980 (61.7 percent) to 14,244 (38.3 percent). In 1999, Smith again dispatched a Democratic rival, James Haley, 23,283 (68.1 percent) to 10,899 (31.9 percent). He was unopposed in the 2003 primary for his third and last Senate term. Senator Smith served on the Agriculture Committee and was its chairman from 2000 to 2008. He also served on the Commerce Committee as vice chairman from 1996 to 2000 and on Revenue and Finance, starting in 1997.
Smith considers the establishment of the new Huey Long technical college facility the "gold star" of his career in the state Senate. The institution outgrew its previous downtown Winnfield location, and the new structure is under construction in north Winnfield off Highway 167 near the senior high school.
He is a member of the Masonic lodge
Masonic Lodge
This article is about the Masonic term for a membership group. For buildings named Masonic Lodge, see Masonic Lodge A Masonic Lodge, often termed a Private Lodge or Constituent Lodge, is the basic organisation of Freemasonry...
, Rotary International
Rotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
, and, like most members of the extended Long family, the Baptist Church. Smith is a first cousin of Senator Gerald Long because Long's mother, Ruby Smith Long (1906–1984) of Natchitoches, was a sister of P.K. Smith.
Smith is a critic of the syndicated radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
talk show
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
host Moon Griffon
Moon Griffon
Blane M. Griffon, known as Moon Griffon is a conservative radio talk show host who broadcasts statewide through station KMLB FM in Monroe, the seat of Ouachita Parish in northeastern Louisiana. He has sometimes been called the "Rush Limbaugh of Louisiana" though his program reflects his distinct...
, based in Monroe
Monroe, Louisiana
Monroe is a city in and the parish seat of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 53,107, making it the eighth largest city in Louisiana. A July 1, 2007, United States Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 51,208, but 51,636...
. In October 2010, he called the program, using his first name "Kenneth," alleging that two unnamed Republicans control the content of Griffon's remarks. Griffon replies that he alone owns his program and speaks his own views without dictation from anyone else.