John Arthur Smith (July 7, 1941 – October 7, 2024)[1] was an American politician who served as a member of the New Mexico Senate, representing the 35th District from 1989 to 2021.
John Arthur Smith | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Mexico Senate from the 35th district | |
| In office 1989–2020 | |
| Succeeded by | Crystal Diamond |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 7, 1941 |
| Died | (aged 83) Deming, New Mexico, United States |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence(s) | Deming, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of New Mexico |
| Occupation | Real estate appraiser |
In 2002, he sought to represent New Mexico's second congressional district when veteran congressman Joe Skeen announced that he was retiring. He defeated Las Cruces mayor Ruben Smith in the Democratic primary, but ultimately lost to Republican Steve Pearce 56 to 44 percent.[2][3]
Career
editSmith chaired the Senate Finance Committee.[4] He had been nicknamed "Dr. No" for fiscal conservatism, breaking with his party to refuse funding for many spending programs. Critics have called Smith "the primary obstacle to more substantial investment in early childhood education" for his refusal to allow a vote on whether to withdraw 1% more each year from the state's $18 billion Land Grant Permanent Fund to fund early childhood programs.
Smith faced opposition in the 2020 Democratic primary from Neomi Martinez-Parra, a special education teacher and former New Mexico Democratic Party vice chair. In the July 2, 2020, primary, Smith lost to Martinez-Parra.[5]
Death
editSmith died at his home in Deming on October 7, 2024, at the age of 83.[6][7][8]
References
edit- ^ "Official Obituary of John Arthur Smith". Baca's Funeral Chapel. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ "New Mexico Official 2002 Election Results for CATRON County". Archived from the original on February 17, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
- ^ "Election 2002 - House of Representatives". Cnn.com. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
- ^ "Error - New Mexico Legislature".
- ^ Boyd, Dan (June 3, 2020). "NM Senate leaders ousted in 'monumental' primary - Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
- ^ "Former state Sen. John Arthur Smith passes away". KOB4. October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
- ^ Chacón, Daniel J. (October 7, 2024). "Former state Sen. John Arthur Smith, longtime finance committee chair, dies". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
- ^ "Ex-New Mexico state senator John Arthur Smith dies at 82". Associated Press. October 7, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
External links
edit- Senator John Arthur Smith at the NM Senate website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator John Arthur Smith (NM) profile
- Follow the Money - John Arthur Smith
- http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legislator_details.aspx?SPONCODE=SSMIT
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