Robin Smith (politician)
Robin Smith | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 26th district | |
| In office November 6, 2018 – March 7, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Gerald McCormick |
| Succeeded by | Greg Martin |
| Chair of the Tennessee Republican Party | |
| In office August 4, 2007 – May 30, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Davis |
| Succeeded by | Chris Devaney |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robin Smith May 16, 1963 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Scott Smith |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Stanford University Center for Professional Development University of Tennessee |
| Website | www |
Robin Smith (born May 16, 1963)
Early life, family, and education
Smith was born in
Smith graduated from
Career
Smith has served as a policy advisor to
Smith is a member of the University of Tennessee Alumni Association, Hixson High Alumni Association, Turning Point USA, Concerned Women for America, and The Heritage Foundation.[8]
Tennessee House of Representatives
Smith was a
Smith was unanimously elected State Chair of the Republican Party on August 4, 2007.[10] During her time as chairman, she created two coalition groups in Tennessee, The Republican National Hispanic Assembly of Tennessee and the Republican Jewish Coalition of Tennessee and started a sustainable fund raising program. During this time as well, she was appointed to the Tennessee Human Rights Commission.[11]
Committees
Smith was a member of these Tennessee House committees:[12]
- Health committee
- Life and Health Insurance subcommittee
- Select committee on Ethics
- Ethics subcommittee
- Facilities, Licensure, and Regulation Subcommittee
- Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Subcommittee
- Calendar and Rules committee[13]
She is also chair of the Tennessee House Insurance committee.[14]
Federal Indictment, Resignation and Guilty Plea
On March 7, 2022, Smith was indicted for federal wire fraud, and resigned.[15][16][17][18] According to a court document which was filed in U.S. District Court, Smith engaged in a fraudulent scheme with others to contract Phoenix Solutions, LLC into providing mail and consulting services for members of the Tennessee General Assembly.[3]
The court document also revealed that Smith and others falsely claimed that Phoenix Solutions was operated by an experienced political consultant named “Matthew Phoenix", when no such person existed.[3] Witnesses acknowledging this included state lawmaker and former Speaker of the House Glen Casada and his former chief of staff Cade Cothren, though they were only named by their professions in the court document acknowledging their testimony.[3] Cothren personally ran the firm, which acted as an illicit campaign vendor, and engineered the kickbacks which were given to Smith, Casada and some other members of the Tennessee General Assembly.[19][3]
On March 8, 2022, Smith pleaded guilty in federal court to a single count of honest services wire fraud.[3][19] In a statement made though Chattanooga-based Waterhouse Public Relations, Smith stated that she and Casada pressured the House Republican Caucus and lawmakers to do business with Phoenix Solutions, including work on taxpayer-funded mailers.[19]
Elections
| Date | Election | % |
|---|---|---|
| 08/05/10 | TN, District 3-R Primary | 28.11% (lost) |
| 11/06/18 | TN State House, District 26 | 64.08% (won) |
References
- ^ "Representative Robin Smith". Tennessee General Assembly. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
- ^ "Rep. Robin Smith is Considering Race for House Speaker". Chattanoogan. Chattanoogan. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f Morris, Chuck (March 8, 2022). "guilty to a single count of honest services wire fraud". WSMV. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- ^ "About Robin". Robinfortn. Archived from the original on 2019-11-13. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
- ^ Gibbs, Kelsey (23 October 2019). "Tennessee State Rep. blames youth suicide on messages coming from the political left". News Channel 5 Nashville. Scripps Media, Inc. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- ^ Walton, Judy (20 June 2018). "Robin Smith to seek District 26 seat". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
- ^ "About". Rivers Edge Alliance. 2014 Rivers Edge Alliance. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
- ^ "Tennessee Representative Robin Smith (R)". Legiscan. Legiscan. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
- ^ "Robin Smith (Tennessee)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
- ^ Trautman, Barbara. "HAMILTON COUNTY REPUBLICAN WOMEN (TN) ADDS THREE STATE REPRESENTATIVES TO MEMBERSHIP". National Federation of Republican Women. NFRW. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
- ^ "Smith, Robin". Our Campaigns. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- ^ "Robin Smith's BIography". Vote Smart. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
- ^ "Tennessee Rep. Robin Smith (R)". Track Bill. Track Bill. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
- ^ Sher, Andy (27 August 2019). "Rep. Robin Smith named as new chair of Tennessee House Insurance Committee". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
- ^ Brown, Melissa; Friedman, Adam (March 7, 2022). "Tennessee Rep. Robin Smith resigns from legislature after wire fraud charge". The Tennessean. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- ^ Stockard, Sam (2022-03-07). "Rep. Robin Smith resigns amid wire fraud charge for Phoenix Solutions "kickbacks"". Tennessee Lookout. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
- ^ "Tennessee lawmaker faces fraud charges in conspiracy involving former House Speaker". WTVF. 2022-03-07. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
- ^ "After federal wire fraud charges, Hixson state lawmaker Rep. Robin Smith resigns". WTVC. 2022-03-07. Retrieved 2022-03-07.
- ^ a b c Stockard, Sam (March 8, 2022). "Smith pleads guilty to wire fraud connected to shadowy campaign vendor". Tennessee Lookout. Retrieved March 8, 2022.