Jennifer J. Smith - Iowa State Representative

Jennifer J. Smith is a Republican State Representative for the 72nd district in Dubuque County, Iowa. She was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and is a member of the Methodist faith.

Smith won her seat in the 2024 election, defeating Democratic incumbent Charles Isenhart. This victory came after a narrow loss in 2022 when she lost by only 94 votes in the same district. She has also served as the Republican nominee for the 50th district in the 2020 Iowa State Senate elections.

Since 2009, Smith has been based in Dubuque, where she has worked as a college economics instructor. She is a strong advocate for the Second Amendment, holds a license to carry concealed weapons, and serves as a certified NRA Pistol Instructor and NRA Range Safety Officer.

Education

Smith earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and a Master's degree in Economics from Illinois State University. She later returned to Northern Illinois University to earn a Ph.D. in Economics. Before transitioning to academia, she worked as an Actuarial Research Analyst for an insurance company and as a tutor at a local community college.

Political Experience

Smith has been actively involved in Republican Party politics since attending her first Republican Caucus in 2010. She served as co-chair of the Dubuque Republican Party beginning in January 2013 and as chair from May 2014 to January 2019. She stepped down from the chairmanship to encourage new leadership and fresh ideas within the party.

In the fall of 2015, she was elected to the Iowa State Central Committee, serving until 2022. She previously chaired the Organization Committee of the Republican Party of Iowa, focusing on streamlining operations and increasing transparency. In the state legislature, Smith currently serves as Vice Chair of State Government and holds memberships on the Natural Resources Committee, the Administration and Regulation Appropriations Subcommittee, and the Local Government Committee.