George Thornewell Smith

George Thornewell Smith (born October 15, 1916) is an American Democratic Party politician and jurist from the state of Georgia. A former Lieutenant Governor, state legislator, Speaker of the State House of Representatives, and longtime judge, he holds the distinction of being the only person in Georgia history to win contested elections in all three branches of State government - legislative, executive, and judicial.

Early years

Born in Mitchell County, Georgia, Smith attended Middle Georgia College and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. On August 26, 1940 he joined the United States Navy, attaining the rank of lieutenant commander and receiving the Naval Merit Unit citation. Following military service, Smith graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1948.

Upon graduation he practiced law in Cairo, Georgia (Grady County). In addition to his private law practice, he served as County Attorney, Solicitor of the State Court of Grady County, Cairo City Attorney, and attorney for the Grady County Board of Education.

Political career

Smith's political career began when he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives from Grady County in 1958. He served as a state representative until 1966, eventually rising to the position of its Speaker (1963-1966).

Smith defeated incumbent Peter Zack Geer to win the Democratic Party nomination for Lieutenant Governor in the 1966 election. Because the Georgia Democratic Party dominated state politics at the time, winning the primary virtually assured victory in the general election. Smith served as the state's second-ranking executive officer under Governor Lester Maddox from January 11, 1967 to January 12, 1971.

In an unusual move, Smith was succeeded as Lt. Governor by Maddox, the Governor under whom he had served. Because of term limits, Smith was barred from seeking re-election. He also did not seek the governorship.

After leaving office, Smith returned to the legal world, initially in private practice in Marietta, Georgia. He ran for Governor unsuccessfully in 1974. In 1976, he was elected to the Georgia Court of Appeals for a six-year term. In 1980, however, he was elected as a justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. He served on the high court from 1981 until 1991. [ [http://www.gasupreme.us/scbroch.php Georgia Supreme Court history] ] Despite his advanced age, he presently serves on the Executive Committee of the Appellate Judges Conference.

Smith's portrait was unveiled in the rotunda of the State Capitol on May 12, 1980, in accordance with a Joint Resolution passed by the Georgia House and Senate.

Smith was also District Governor of the Georgia Kiwanis in 1960 and has served on the Board of Trustees of the National Arthritis Foundation and as chairman of its National Government Affairs Committee.

References

* [http://www.gaappeals.us/history/judges.php?id=48 Biography with photo]
* [http://www.library.gsu.edu/spcoll/pages/pages.asp?ldID=105&guideID=551&ID=4138 Georgia State University Library]
* [http://www.law.uga.edu/news/advocate/spring2003/smith.pdf "George T. Smith has grown accustomed to standing out in a crowd," The Advocate] , University of Georgia School of Law