James E. Smith Jr.

James E. Smith Jr.
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
from the 72nd district
In office
June 20, 1996 – November 12, 2018
Preceded byTimothy Folk Rogers
Succeeded bySeth Rose
Personal details
BornJames Emerson Smith Jr.
(1967-09-09) September 9, 1967
PartyDemocratic
Spouse
(m. 1991)
Children4
RelativesJulian Adams II (first cousin)
Elizabeth Nelson Adams (aunt)
Patrick Henry Nelson III (grandfather)
Patrick Henry Nelson II (great-great grandfather)
EducationUniversity of South Carolina,
Columbia
(BA, JD)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1996–1998 (reserve)
1998–present (national guard)
Rank Lieutenant colonel
UnitUnited States Army Reserve
South Carolina Army National Guard
Battles/warsWar in Afghanistan
Awards Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
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James Emerson Smith Jr. (born September 9, 1967) is an American politician who served as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1996 to 2018. Smith is a combat veteran and a serving officer in the South Carolina Army National Guard, a small business owner, and a practicing attorney in Columbia, South Carolina.

Smith was the Democratic nominee for Governor of South Carolina in 2018, which he lost to incumbent governor Henry McMaster.