CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Smith has announced his candidacy for Tennessee State Representative, District 68.

Smith, a Republican, was first elected as county commissioner in 2018. He has led several successful efforts to improve the quality of life for residents, according to a news release, supporting ongoing capital improvements, such as the Fredonia Community Center Renovation, the Weakley Park purchase, the Rotary Park Nature Center, and phase I of the Public Safety Training Complex. “All of this was achieved while maintaining a balanced budget and securing much-needed pay increases for Montgomery County EMS employees,” the release said.

He currently serves on the Budget Committee, the Economic Development Council, the Regional Planning Commission, the Legislative Liaison Committee, and the Fire Protection Committee. Recently, he was appointed mayor pro tem.

Smith grew up on a tobacco farm in Sango. After graduating from Clarksville High School in 2002, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he deployed twice to combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 2007 and decided to move back to Clarksville. Upon returning home, Smith was hired by Clarksville Fire Rescue, where he served as a firefighter, an emergency medical responder, a hazardous materials technician, and a fireboat coxswain. He found time to work in his family’s growing business. In 2021, he took charge full-time as the owner and operator of Jodi’s Cabinet Sales in Clarksville.

Joe is the son of Jeff Smith (Barbara Jo) and Jodi Vaughn (Darrell). He is married to Una Smith, who is a local Realtor and office manager for the family business. They have been married for 11 years and live in Fredonia. Together, they have five children.

“It has been an honor to serve as your county commissioner for the last five years, and I look forward to taking the next step,” Smith said. “I am committed to continuing the incredible legacy of retiring Deputy Speaker Curtis Johnson by being a state representative who serves the people of our amazing community at the state level. Together, we can keep Clarksville-Montgomery County moving in the right direction.”

For more, email the campaign at Info@JoeForMoCo.com.

Information from Joe Smith campaign.