Senator Brandon Smith ** represents **Kentucky Senate District 30, which includes Breathitt, Estill, Lee, Leslie, Magoffin, Morgan, Perry, Powell, and Wolfe counties. Born June 14, 1967, in Hazard, Kentucky, he is a businessman and owner of Mohawk Energy, a small mining company. A Presbyterian, Freemason , and active community member, he has served as past president of the Hazard Lion's Club, session member of First Presbyterian Church, and past Den Leader and District Commissioner for Boy Scouts of America Pack 90. He and his wife Laurel have five children. Notable achievements include the Crystal Eagle Award and Commonwealth Award for Philanthropy Initiative. He chairs the Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources & Energy, serves on committees for Transportation, Banking & Insurance, and Veterans, Military Affairs & Public Protection, and is a member of caucuses such as Pro-Life, Veterans, Mountain, and Kentucky Sportsmen's. In 2025, he celebrated the Senate's passage of HB 544, doubling flood relief funding.

Education and Political Experience

• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Kentucky

Political Experience

• Served on Hazard City Commission
• Elected to Kentucky House of Representatives, District 84
• Elected to Kentucky Senate, District 30 in special election , replacing Daniel Mongiardo
• Republican Whip
• Chair, Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee
• Member, Senate Committees on Transportation, Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection, and Banking and Insurance
• Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Tourism, Natural Resources, and Environmental Protection
• Member of multiple caucuses including Tennessee Valley Authority, Kentucky History, Aerospace/Aviation, and Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperatives