Sally Smith (politician)
Encyclopedia
Sarah J. "Sally" Smith is an American politician. She was a member of the Alaska Legislature
in the 1970s and 1980s, and the mayor of Juneau, Alaska
, from 2000 to 2003. She later worked as a field representative for United States Senator Mark Begich
.
in 1945. She later moved to Fairbanks, Alaska
and worked as an expeditor before entering politics.
from 1977 to 1983 as a Democrat
representing the 20th District, a six-member district (which was without designated seats and elected at-large) covering the Fairbanks North Star Borough and several outlying areas, including Fort Greely
.
Following her service in the legislature, in which she traveled to Juneau (the state's capital) for legislative sessions, Smith moved to Juneau permanently in 1984, and worked for the state's Department of Administration (under the Division of Retirement and Benefits) and Department of Revenue.
; the bid was unsuccessful, losing to the one from Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska
. Smith was a co-chairwoman of the organizing committee for the portion of the 2002 Winter Olympics torch relay
that would run through Juneau on January 24, 2002, an event which was overshadowed by the unfurling of a banner by students at Juneau-Douglas High School
reading "Bong Hits 4 Jesus", which ultimately resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court case Morse v. Frederick.
, who would be elected mayor.
, in a small neighborhood between Douglas
and West Juneau
, during her time as mayor.
Alaska Legislature
The Alaska Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is a bicameral institution, consisting of the lower Alaska House of Representatives, with 40 members, and the upper house Alaska Senate, with 20 members...
in the 1970s and 1980s, and the mayor of Juneau, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
, from 2000 to 2003. She later worked as a field representative for United States Senator Mark Begich
Mark Begich
Mark Peter Begich is the junior United States Senator from Alaska and a member of the Democratic Party. A former mayor of Anchorage, he served on the Anchorage Assembly for almost ten years prior to being elected mayor in 2003...
.
Early life
Sarah J. Smith was born in Pekin, IllinoisPekin, Illinois
Pekin is a the county seat of Tazewell County in the U.S. state of Illinois. Located on the Illinois River, Pekin is also the largest city of Tazewell County, and a key part of the Peoria metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, its population is 34,094. A small portion of the city limits extends...
in 1945. She later moved to Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks is a home rule city in and the borough seat of the Fairbanks North Star Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska.Fairbanks is the largest city in the Interior region of Alaska, and second largest in the state behind Anchorage...
and worked as an expeditor before entering politics.
Politics
Smith served three terms in the Alaska House of RepresentativesAlaska House of Representatives
The Alaska House of Representatives is the lower house in the Alaska Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alaska. The House is composed of 40 members, each of whom represents a district of about 15,673 people . Members serve two-year terms without term limits...
from 1977 to 1983 as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
representing the 20th District, a six-member district (which was without designated seats and elected at-large) covering the Fairbanks North Star Borough and several outlying areas, including Fort Greely
Fort Greely
Fort Greely is a United States Army launch site for anti-ballistic missiles located approximately 100 miles southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. It is also the home of the Cold Regions Test Center , as Fort Greely is one of the coldest areas in Alaska, and can accommodate cold, extreme cold, or...
.
Following her service in the legislature, in which she traveled to Juneau (the state's capital) for legislative sessions, Smith moved to Juneau permanently in 1984, and worked for the state's Department of Administration (under the Division of Retirement and Benefits) and Department of Revenue.
2000 regular election
She ran for the office of mayor of Juneau in the general election held on October 3, 2000. She raised $15,434 for her campaign. Her narrow win over Jamie Parsons was partly attributed to fellow candidate Mark Farmer's withdrawal from the race.| Candidate | Votes |
|---|---|
| Mark Farmer | 435 |
| Jamie Parsons | 5,129 |
| Sally Smith | 5,349 |
| Patty Zimmerman | 523 |
| Write-in | 80 |
Mayor of Juneau
As mayor, Smith opposed moving the seat of the state government out of Juneau. In 2002, she appointed a task force to submit a bid to host the 2006 Arctic Winter Games2006 Arctic Winter Games
Approximately 2,000 athletes, coaches, team staff and officials participated in the 2006 Arctic Winter Games on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska in the United States. The 2006 games took place from March 5 through March 11...
; the bid was unsuccessful, losing to the one from Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska
Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska
-National protected areas:* Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge ** Chiswell Islands** Tuxedni Wilderness* Chugach National Forest * Katmai National Park and Preserve ** Katmai Wilderness...
. Smith was a co-chairwoman of the organizing committee for the portion of the 2002 Winter Olympics torch relay
2002 Winter Olympics torch relay
The 2002 Winter Olympics torch relay was a 65 day run, from December 4, 2001 to February 8, 2002, prior to the 2002 Winter Olympics. The runners carried the Olympic Flame throughout the United States - following its lighting in Olympia, Greece to the opening ceremony of the 2002 games at...
that would run through Juneau on January 24, 2002, an event which was overshadowed by the unfurling of a banner by students at Juneau-Douglas High School
Juneau-Douglas High School
Juneau-Douglas High School is one of two high schools in Juneau, Alaska. It is the primary high school for the Juneau School District. The other high school, Thunder Mountain High School, is smaller, and most of its students are from the Mendenhall Valley...
reading "Bong Hits 4 Jesus", which ultimately resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court case Morse v. Frederick.
2003 regular election
Smith initially intended to seek reelection in 2003, but later opted out of the race, instead endorsing Bruce BotelhoBruce Botelho
Bruce M. Botelho is an American attorney and politician in the state of Alaska. Born in Juneau, Alaska, he has served as the mayor of Juneau on two occasions and was the Alaska Attorney General for eight years. He is currently mayor of Juneau....
, who would be elected mayor.
Non-political/governmental career
Smith worked for the Fairbanks-based nonprofit Northern Alaska Environmental Center.Personal
Smith lived near Lawson Creek on Douglas IslandDouglas Island
Douglas Island is a tidal island in the U.S. state of Alaska, just west of downtown Juneau and east of Admiralty Island. It is separated from mainland Juneau by the Gastineau Channel. The Juneau-Douglas Bridge, connecting the island with Juneau, provides a two lane road to and from the island and...
, in a small neighborhood between Douglas
Douglas, Alaska
Douglas, Alaska is an area on Douglas Island in southeastern Alaska. Itoriginated in 1881 as a place providing services to miners of the nearby Treadwell gold mine, and was incorporated as a city in 1902. Douglas was once a larger town than neighboring Juneau, but dwindled in the early 1900s as...
and West Juneau
West Juneau, Alaska
West Juneau is a populated place in Juneau, Alaska, United States. It is located on Douglas Island northwest of Douglas. The name was first published by the United States Geological Survey in 1948 and entered into the Geographic Names Information System on March 31, 1981...
, during her time as mayor.