Biography
David Adam Smith, born on June 15, 1965, in Washington, D.C., is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving Washington's 9th Congressional District since 1997. Raised in SeaTac, Washington, he attended Bow Lake Elementary, Chinook Middle School, and graduated from Tyee High School in 1983. Smith's father, Ben, worked as a ramp serviceman at SeaTac Airport and was active in the local Machinists’ Union, while his mother, Leila, was a homemaker.
After high school, Smith worked his way through college by loading trucks for United Parcel Service. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Fordham University in 1987 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Washington School of Law in 1990. Following his education, Smith worked as a prosecutor for the City of Seattle from 1993 to 1995, focusing on drunk driving and domestic violence cases.
In 1990, at the age of 25, Smith was elected to the Washington State Senate, becoming the youngest state senator in the country at that time. He served in the State Senate until 1996, when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Throughout his congressional career, Smith has been a strong advocate for military personnel and their families, serving as the Chair of the House Armed Services Committee from 2019 to 2023 and currently serving as its Ranking Member.
Smith has also been active in addressing housing issues, introducing the End Hedge Fund Control of American Homes Act of 2023, which aims to require hedge funds to sell at least 10% of the single-family homes they own yearly over ten years, eventually banning them from owning such properties.
Education
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Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Fordham University, 1987
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Juris Doctor, University of Washington School of Law, 1990
Political Experience
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Washington State Senate, 1991–1996
- Chair, Law and Justice Committee, 1993–1997
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U.S. House of Representatives, 1997–present
- Chair, House Armed Services Committee, 2019–2023
- Ranking Member, House Armed Services Committee, 2023–present
Smith's legislative efforts have focused on supporting military personnel, addressing housing affordability, and promoting economic opportunities for working families. He has secured significant federal funding for community projects in his district, including over $9 million in 2022 for initiatives related to housing, healthcare, education, and public safety.
