L. Harvey Smith
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| L. Harvey Smith | |
47th Mayor of Jersey City | |
|---|---|
| In office May 2004 – November 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Glenn Cunningham |
| Succeeded by | Jerramiah T. Healy |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Jersey City, New Jersey |
| Profession | Teacher |
L. Harvey Smith is an American Democratic Party politician who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since January 8, 2008 to Janaury 10, 2010, where he represented the 31st legislative district. He is the former Acting Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey and previously served in the New Jersey Senate.[1] He did not seek re-election in 2009.
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Biography
Smith served in the Assembly on the Higher Education Committee and the Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee.[1]
A three-term Jersey City councilman who spent four years as City Council President, Smith served as Acting Mayor following the death of Mayor Glenn Cunningham in May 2004 until the certification of the results of a special election in November 2004. Smith ran in the special election to fill the remainder of Cunningham's term which expired in July 2005, but lost to Judge Jerramiah T. Healy.
In 2003, Smith ran against Cunningham for a seat in the New Jersey Senate representing parts of Jersey City and all of Bayonne. While endorsed by the Hudson County Democratic Organization, Smith lost in the primary to Cunningham. In October 2003, when State Sen. Joseph Charles resigned early to become a state judge, Smith was selected by Democratic Party leaders to fill the remainder of Charles' Senate term until January 2004.[2] He was sworn into the Senate seat in November 2003.
Smith, a former teacher, was appointed as an Undersheriff of Hudson County after he left the State Senate. He took a leave as undersheriff to serve as acting mayor and then returned to the post. He did not seek reelection to the City Council in 2005.
In March 2007, Smith announced his campaign in the Democratic Primary for the State Assembly on a ticket headed by former Jersey City First Lady Sandra Bolden Cunningham. Smith won a spot on the ballot in the June 2007 primary[3] and won an uncontested election in November 2007.[4] Smith will join the Assembly as a representative of the 31st legislative district in 2008.
In December 2008, two Smith sponsored bills moved ahead in the Assembly. Smith's bill to have New Jersey enter into an interstate compact to assist the children of military families with educational opportunities was passed by the Assembly and moves into the Senate for consideration. In addition, the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee passed a Smith sponsored bill changing state laws regarding bedbugs found in multi-family buildings. This bill now moves to the full Assembly for consideration. The bedbug bill was sponsored by Smith, Assemblywoman Joan M. Quigley of Jersey City and Assemblywoman L. Grace Spencer of Newark.
On June 8, 2009, Smith introduced a bill into the New Jersey State Assembly that would ban the use of GPS systems in cars. [[1]].
Smith received a B.S. from Long Island University in Health / Physical Education and an M.A. from New Jersey City University in Psychology / Counseling.[1]
Operation Bid Rig
Smith was one of 44 individuals arrested on July 23, 2009, as part of Operation Bid Rig, a joint operation of the FBI, IRS, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey into political corruption and money laundering. Smith was charged with accepting $15,000 in bribes in exchange for obtaining approval of building plans.[5]
Despite call for Smith's resignation from Governor Jon Corzine and others, Smith has said that he would remain in office. In a letter sent to Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts on August 6, 2009, Smith stated, "I believe that the resignation of my position as assemblyman is inconsistent with the presumption of innocence." Roberts, however, has said that he would suspend Smith's pay and benefits.[6]
District 31
Each of the forty districts in the New Jersey Legislature has one representative in the New Jersey Senate and two members in the New Jersey General Assembly. The other representatives from the 31st District for the 2008-2009 Legislative Session are:
- Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham, and
- Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone
References
- ^ a b c Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith, New Jersey Legislature. Accessed April 13, 2008.
- ^ New Jersey Legislative Digest for November 24, 2003. Accessed April 13, 2008. "Senator Joseph Charles, Jr., of the 31st Legislative District, has resigned effective August 18, 2003. L. Harvey Smith was sworn in as a member of the Senate for the 31st Legislative District."
- ^ Chen, David W. "Voters Send Mixed Signals to Democratic Organization in New Jersey Primaries", The New York Times, June 6, 2007. Accessed October 13, 2007.
- ^ "31st Dist: Democrat victories for Cunningham, Smith, Chiappone", The Star-Ledger, November 6, 2007. Accessed December 27, 2007.
- ^ Ryan, Joe. "Feds charge 44 with corruption including two N.J. assemblymen, three mayors", The Star-Ledger, July 23, 2009. Accessed July 23, 2009.
- ^ "Smith Won't Quit". Jersey Journal. 2009-08-07. http://www.nj.com/news/jjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1249626356234920.xml&coll=3. Retrieved 2009-08-07.
External links
- Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith, New Jersey Legislature
- New Jersey Legislature financial disclosure forms
- Smith & Greene criminal complaint, United States Department of Justice, July 23, 2009
| New Jersey Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Joseph Charles | New Jersey State Senator 31st Legislative District November 2003 – January 2004 | Succeeded by Glenn Cunningham |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Glenn Cunningham | Mayor of Jersey City May 2004 – November 2004 as Acting Mayor | Succeeded by Jerramiah T. Healy |
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