Patricia Haynes Smith

Patricia Haynes Smith (born 1946) is an American politician who served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2008 to 2020, representing District 67. Smith is affiliated with the Democratic party. Her platform focused on promoting access to healthcare and other resources for underprivileged communities and improving education in public schools.

Early life and education Smith was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Kent State University.

In 2007, Smith defeated Lorri Burgess for district 67 representative. She raised $142,416 for her campaign, with her top donors being the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of commerce and the Louisiana Manufacturers Association. Her platform focused on access to healthcare and improving education in public schools. As a representative, Smith served on the Appropriations, Education, House Executive, and Joint Legislative committees. The same year, she took a stand with other lawmakers to argue for increased spending on healthcare to prevent hospitals from falling into the "Jindal Gap."

In 2016, Smith spoke at rallies at Baton Rouge City Hall following the killing of Alton Sterling by police.

In 2017, the Human Rights Watch released a report which criticized Louisiana state prisons for failing to provide HIV testing and treatment for prisoners. Smith announced plans to file two resolutions asking the state's Department of Health and Hospitals to increase testing and treatment within the prison system. She was vice chair of the Southern Regional Education Board's Legislative Advisory Council from 2018 to 2019. 2017 Friend of Education by Louisiana Federation of Teachers 2017 Elected Official of the Year by Governor's Office of Disability Affairs 2017 Elected Women of Excellence Award by National Foundation for Women Legislators 2014 J.K. Haynes Sr. Award of Advocacy in Action 2014 Woman of the Year by The National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women (N.O.B.E.L.-Women)