Virgil Smith Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Virgil Smith Jr.
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| Member of the Michigan Senate from the 4th district |
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| In office January 1, 2011 – April 12, 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Samuel "Buzz" Thomas |
| Succeeded by | Ian Conyers |
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 7th district |
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| In office January 1, 2003 – January 1, 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Hansen Clarke |
| Succeeded by | Jimmy Womack |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 18, 1979 Detroit, Michigan, US |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Parent | Virgil C. Smith (father) |
| Alma mater | Michigan State University (B.A.) Western Michigan University (M.A.) |
Virgil K Smith (born December 18, 1979) is a Democratic former member of the Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate. Smith previously represented the 4th Senate district, which is composed of Allen Park, Lincoln Park, Southgate and the north side of Detroit. From 2003 to 2008, Smith represented State House district 7, comprising the northern tier of Detroit.
Contents
Personal life
Smith is the son of Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan of retired Chief Judge and former Michigan State Senator Virgil C. Smith.
On May 6, 2009, Smith married Anistia Thomas. Smith filed for divorce in July 2009, citing a marital breakdown beyond repair. Thomas denied that there was a breakdown in the marriage and counter-sued for an annulment. Smith later consented to his wife's request for the annulment, which Wayne County Circuit Judge Charlene Elder granted on October 6, 2009. The couple have no children.
Smith and Thomas consented to an intimate relationship after the annulment, prior to a May 2015 incident at Smith's home, where Smith accused Thomas of intruding at his property, which resulted in Smith shooting at Thomas' vehicle.
Education
Smith did his undergraduate studies at Michigan State University earning a degree in political science. He received his master's degree in public administration from Western Michigan University.
Political career
2002 House election
Smith won the Democratic primary in 2002 against former state senator Henry Stallings II.
2010 Senate election
In 2010 Smith defeated former House Appropriations Committee Chair George Cushingberry in the August Primary to fill the Michigan Senate seat formerly held by Samuel "Buzz" Thomas, who left due to term limits.
2014 Senate election
Smith was re-elected in 2014 to a second four-year term after defeating former state Rep. Rashida Tlaib in the Democratic Primary. Smith resigned from the state Senate in April 2016 after his guilty plea for shooting at his ex-wife's Mercedes-Benz in May 2015.
2017 Detroit City Council election
The Detroit City Clerk's office issued petitions for Smith to run for City Council, district 2, on April 7, 2017. Smith finished second in the August primary, where he faced Roy McCalister Jr. on the general election ballot. Smith went on to lose the general election to McCalister.
See also
- Michigan House of Representatives
- Michigan Senate
- Michigan Democratic Party
