Sam Smith

Samuel J. Smith (July 23, 1922 – November 16, 1995) was a member of the Washington House of Representatives from 1959–1968 and served on the Seattle City Council for 24 years, including eight as president of the council. He was the first African-American to serve on the Seattle City Council.

Early life and education Smith was born on July 21, 1922, in Gibsland, Louisiana to Steve and Bernice Smith. His father was a Baptist minister and farmer, and his mother was a teacher.

At the end of the War, Smith returned to Seattle, and moved to the Central District where he married his wife Marion. He went on to receive degrees from Seattle University (Social science, 1951) and the University of Washington (Economics, 1952). Smith was the first Black student to enroll at Seattle University, followed by Millie Bown Russell, who graduated before him.

After college, Smith went to work for the Boeing Company for 17 years.

Washington House of Representatives Smith's political career started in 1956 when he unsuccessfully ran for the Washington House of Representatives for the Washington's 37th legislative district against Republican Charles Stokes. In 1958, he challenged Stokes again and won.

Open Housing Act In the legislature, Smith was a vocal proponent of civil rights legislation. :111

In order to pass, the final bill made concessions, dropping parts of Smith's proposal and measures supported by groups like the Washington State Board Against Discrimination. In one case, Yakima city leaders cited financial losses for protesting the inclusion of property tax incentives for apartment owners who signed non-discrimination agreements, and this measure was excluded. The main power of the final bill was that it enabled the state to revoke a real estate agent's license if they discriminated against clients more than twice in one year.

Leaving the House Smith served five consecutive terms in the Washington House of Representatives until 1967, when he left to seek a seat on the Seattle City Council. Smith defeated Bob Dunn in the general election 53% to 47%, becoming the first African-American Seattle City Councilmember. Additionally, Smith and Art Fletcher, elected in Pasco that year, became the first African-American city councilmembers in Washington State. Smith would win in large margins in his next four reelection bids. Luke died in 1965, so when Smith entered the council, he became the architect of the city's open housing law. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination sparked violence throughout the country, including in Seattle's Central District, and helped pressure legislators into supporting civil rights action.

Other actions Smith served as president of the city council for eight years and ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of Seattle four times during his council tenure. Smith blamed his vote on this law for rallying Seattle's LGBTQ community against him. He believed that they caused the Municipal League to downgrade his rating, and resented Cal Anderson for accusing him of homophobia.

In 1991, Smith ran for reelection for a seventh term, facing Boeing engineer and activist Sherry Harris. In the general election, Harris defeated Smith 65% to 35%.

Death and legacy Smith suffered from ill health in his later years and lost a leg to diabetes in 1985 and his right leg in 1991.