Elections In 1998, she challenged Republican state senator
Chip Bailey of Alabama's 29th senate district. She defeated him in the primary 47%-44%. In November, she defeated Democratic nominee Mac Palmer 61%-39%. In 2002, she won re-election to a second term unopposed. In 2006, she won re-election to a third term, defeating Democratic nominee Ronnie Helms 75%-25%. Smith ran in the Republican primary for in 2008, losing to
State Representative Jay Love. Afterwards, she endorsed the Democratic nominee,
Bobby Bright—a decision that nearly got her expelled from the
Geneva County Republican Executive Committee. The
Republican Party of Alabama barred her from running for reelection to her state senate seat as a Republican in 2010; her endorsement of Bright violated a state party bylaw that bars an elected Republican from endorsing a candidate from another party when a Republican is running. However, in June, she garnered enough signatures in her district to run as an independent. She won re-election to a fourth term, defeating Republican challenger George Flowers 55%-45%. A month before the election, she had been indicted on federal charges of bribery and corruption. Smith was found not guilty and was acquitted of all charges in March 2012. Notwithstanding her disagreements with (and expulsion from) the Republican Party, Smith
caucuses with them on issues.
Committee assignments • Commerce, Transportation, and Utilities • Confirmations (vice chair) • Health • Local Legislation Number 1 • Tourism and Marketing • Veterans and Military Affairs ==Personal life==