David Smith (Florida)
David Smith (Republican Party) is a member of theFlorida House of Representatives, representingDistrict 38. He assumed office on November 8, 2022. His current term ends on November 3, 2026.
Smith (Republican Party) ran for re-election to theFlorida House of Representatives to representDistrict 38. He won in the general election onNovember 5, 2024.
Biography
David Smith was born in Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, and lives in Winter Springs, Florida. Smith served in the U.S. Marine Corps and reached the rank of colonel. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Texas A&M University in 1982 and a master's degree from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2000. Smith's career experience includes working as the president of D.A. Smith, LLC, the general manager of Fidelity Technologies Corporation, and the director of training and simulation with Serco - North America. He has been affiliated with the Central Florida Marine Corps Foundation, Rotary Club International, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.[1][2][3]
Committee assignments
2025-2026
Smith was assigned to the following committees:
- Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight,Alternating Chair
2023-2024
Smith was assigned to the following committees:
- Infrastructure Strategies Committee (decommissioned)
- House Rules & Ethics Committee
- Ways and Means Committee
- Collective Bargaining Committee,Alternating Chair
2021-2022
Smith was assigned to the following committees:
2019-2020
Smith was assigned to the following committees:
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according toBillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
See also: Florida House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Florida House of Representatives District 38
IncumbentDavid Smith defeatedSarah Henry in the general election for Florida House of Representatives District 38 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | David Smith (R) | 50.4 | 44,972 |
 | Sarah Henry (D)  | 49.6 | 44,302 | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 89,274 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled.Sarah Henry advanced from the Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 38.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. IncumbentDavid Smith advanced from the Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 38.
Campaign finance
Endorsements
Smith received the following endorsements.
Pledges
Smith signed the following pledges.
2022
See also: Florida House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Florida House of Representatives District 38
IncumbentDavid Smith defeatedSarah Henry in the general election for Florida House of Representatives District 38 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | David Smith (R) | 52.3 | 34,309 |
| Sarah Henry (D) | 47.7 | 31,290 | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 65,599 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 38
Sarah Henry defeatedDominique Douglas andEd Measom in the Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 38 on August 23, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sarah Henry | 54.8 | 6,239 |
| Dominique Douglas | 26.1 | 2,977 | ||
| Ed Measom | 19.1 | 2,170 | ||
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 11,386 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Mark Caruso (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 38
IncumbentDavid Smith defeatedDrake Wuertz andPatrick Weingart in the Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 38 on August 23, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | David Smith | 71.2 | 9,707 |
| Drake Wuertz | 19.6 | 2,669 | ||
 | Patrick Weingart | 9.2 | 1,257 | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 13,633 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign finance
2020
See also: Florida House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Florida House of Representatives District 28
IncumbentDavid Smith defeatedPasha Baker andMichael Riccio in the general election for Florida House of Representatives District 28 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | David Smith (R) | 52.0 | 51,350 |
 | Pasha Baker (D) | 45.9 | 45,288 | |
 | Michael Riccio (No Party Affiliation) | 2.1 | 2,049 | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 98,687 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 28
Pasha Baker defeatedLee Mangold in the Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 28 on August 18, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Pasha Baker | 50.4 | 6,533 |
 | Lee Mangold | 49.6 | 6,425 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 12,958 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. IncumbentDavid Smith advanced from the Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 28.
2018
General election
General election for Florida House of Representatives District 28
David Smith defeatedLee Mangold in the general election for Florida House of Representatives District 28 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | David Smith (R) | 51.3 | 38,673 |
| Lee Mangold (D) | 48.7 | 36,758 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 75,431 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 28
Lee Mangold advanced from the Democratic primary for Florida House of Representatives District 28 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Lee Mangold |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 28
David Smith advanced from the Republican primary for Florida House of Representatives District 28 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | David Smith |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | |||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
2014
Smith ran in the2014 election for theU.S. House to representFlorida's7th District.[4] Smith was defeated in the primary election on August 26, 2014.[5]
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 John MicaIncumbent | 72.1% | 32,084 | ||
| David Smith | 18.7% | 8,316 | ||
| Don Oehlrich | 5.1% | 2,285 | ||
| Kelly Shirley | 4% | 1,786 | ||
| Total Votes | 44,471 | |||
| Source:Florida Division of Elections | ||||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also:Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
David Smith did not completeBallotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
David Smith did not completeBallotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
David Smith did not completeBallotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also:Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
David Smith completedBallotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Smith's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Strengthen our EconomyImprove EducationPreserve & protect our Environment
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Vocational Training in High School and State Colleges: We have a skill shortage in the Trades.Veterans: Combating Veteran homelessness, unemployment and under employment.Eldercare: Citizens over 65 are often abused or victims of financial fraud. It's shameful.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
General James Mattis: Secretary of Defense
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
Profiles in Courage
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Honesty, integrity and humility.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
Honesty, integrity, humility and loyalty.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Maintain the public trust and represent the people you serve to the best of your ability.
What legacy would you like to leave?
A formal program that supports Florida Veteran owned businesses
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
Landing on the Moon. 9 years old.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
Handyman for child daycare facility. A year.
What happened on your most awkward date?
Went to a popular steak restaurant and learned that my date was a vegetarian.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Independence Day. We celebrate as a nation of 4th of July.
What is your favorite book? Why?
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The short stories come alive and reading them never gets old.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Sherlock Holmes.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My big screen T.V. Watching college football.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Thinking out Loud by Ed Sheeran
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
The loss of my Mother to breast cancer when I was six years old.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
The Senate is more mature and the House has much more grandstanding.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
Perhaps, but not a requirement.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Water.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
Professional and it would be helpful if they were the same party, Republican.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Absolutely. The Legislature is a team sport.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
A fair one.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Commerce, Education and Healthcare.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Senator David Simmons.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
No.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
I recently spoke with a woman who's dying husband was swindled out of almost their entire life savings. He was trying to build up their net worth to provide for her after he passed. She knew nothing about it. It was all a scam. This is an example of financial elder abuse I want to fight in Florida.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf.Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at theFEC website. Clickhere for more on federal campaign finance law andhere for more on state campaign finance law.
| Year | Office | Status | Contributions | Expenditures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Florida House of Representatives District 38 | Won general | $628,817 | $629,123 |
| 2022 | Florida House of Representatives District 38 | Won general | $674,104 | $574,256 |
| 2020 | Florida House of Representatives District 28 | Won general | $619,277 | N/A** |
| 2018 | Florida House of Representatives District 28 | Won general | $246,610 | N/A** |
| Grand total | $2,168,808 | $1,203,379 | ||
| Sources:OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). | ||||
| ** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle | ||||
| Note: Totals above reflect only available data. | ||||
Scorecards
Ascorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Florida scorecards, email suggestions toeditor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
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In 2024, theFlorida State Legislature was in session from January 9 to March 8.
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2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, theFlorida State Legislature was in session from March 7 to May 5.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, theFlorida State Legislature was in session from January 11 to March 14.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, theFlorida State Legislature was in session from March 2 to April 30.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, theFlorida State Legislature was in session from January 14 to March 19.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, theFlorida State Legislature was in session from March 5 through May 3.
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See also
2024 Elections
External links
Candidate Florida House of Representatives District 38 | Officeholder Florida House of Representatives District 38 | Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑Florida House of Representatives, "David Smith," accessed December 11, 2022
- ↑LinkedIn, "David Smith," accessed December 11, 2022
- ↑David Smith for State Representative, "David Smith’s Military Career," accessed December 11, 2022
- ↑Cite error: Invalid
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| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Randy Maggard (R) | Florida House of Representatives District 38 2022-Present | Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by Jason Brodeur (R) | Florida House of Representatives District 28 2018-2022 | Succeeded by Tom Leek (R) |
- 2014 challenger
- 2014 primary (defeated)
- 2018 challenger
- 2018 general election (winner)
- 2018 primary (winner)
- 2020 general election (winner)
- 2020 incumbent
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- 2022 general election (winner)
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- Current member, Florida House of Representatives
- Current state legislative member
- Current state representative
- Florida
- Florida House of Representatives candidate, 2018
- Florida House of Representatives candidate, 2020
- Florida House of Representatives candidate, 2022
- Florida House of Representatives candidate, 2024
- Republican Party
- State House candidate, 2018
- State House candidate, 2020
- State House candidate, 2022
- State House candidate, 2024
- State house candidates
- U.S. House candidate, 2014
- U.S. House candidates
- 2018 open seat
- 2014 Congress challenger
