Calvin Smyre

Calvin Smyre (born May 17, 1947) is an American politician serving as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives for the 135th district. Elected in 1974, he is the longest-serving member of the Georgia Legislature.[1]

Calvin Smyre
United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic
Nominee
Assuming office
TBA
PresidentJoe Biden
SucceedingRobin Bernstein
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
Assumed office
January 13, 1975
Preceded byHines L. Brantley
Constituency92nd district (1975–1993)
136th district (1993–2003)
111th district (2003–2005)
132nd district (2005–2013)
135th district (2013–present)
Personal details
Born (1947-05-17) May 17, 1947
Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Residence(s)Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
EducationFort Valley State University (BS)
OccupationRetired banker

Early life and education

Smyre was born in Columbus, Georgia.[2] He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Fort Valley State University with a focus in business administration.

Career

Smyre has served as a delegate for Georgia to every Democratic National Convention since 1980, and became the first African American member elected from Georgia to the Democratic National Committee in 1984. He advised the presidential campaigns of Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Al Gore, and served as an elector for Georgia to the Electoral College in 1980, 1992, and 2020.

Smyre became the youngest member of the Georgia House of Representatives when he was elected to the chamber at the age of 26 in 1974.[3][4]

Governor Joe Frank Harris appointed Smyre assistant floor leader in the 1983 legislative session and, in 1986, appointed him floor leader for the 1987 session, making him the first African American leader of the House since Reconstruction.[4][5] In 1998, he was elected the first African American Chairman of the Democratic Party's state legislative caucus;[6] and, in 2001, Smyre was appointed Chairman of the state Democratic Party.[3] In 2006, he was elected President of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.[7] Smyre is known for helping Democrats and Republicans negotiate, acting as a liaison.[1]

Smyre also worked as executive vice president of corporate external affairs at Synovus and president of the Synovus Foundation.

Biden administration

On September 22, 2021, President Joe Biden announced that he would nominate Smyre to serve as United States ambassador to the Dominican Republic.[8]

References
  1. Bluestein, Greg (9 November 2020). "Meet Georgia's 16 Democratic electors". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  2. "Rep. Calvin Smyre" (PDF). Georgia House of Representatives. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  3. "Columbus' Smyre to Lead State Democratic Party". Ledger-Enquirer. October 4, 2001. p. C1.
  4. Donald L. Grant (2001). The Way It Was in the South: The Black Experience in Georgia. University of Georgia Press. p. 457. ISBN 0-8203-2329-2.
  5. "Harris picks Smyre for top House post". The Atlanta Journal. November 17, 1986. p. C1.
  6. "State Party Elects Calvin Smyre As First African American Chairman". Columbus Times. November 24, 1998.
  7. "Smyre to Head Black Legislators' Group". Ledger-Enquirer. December 6, 2006. p. C1.
  8. "President Biden Announces Key Nominations". The White House. 2021-09-22. Retrieved 2021-09-22.
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