George Wilbert Smith

Smith ran for the nomination to be Liberal candidate in the 1906 Strathcona federal by-election. At the nomination meeting, Smith led in the first counts but in later rounds of voting, his vote tally was surpassed by that of Wilbert McIntyre who in the end received a majority of the vote, to take the nomination. (McIntyre went on to win the House of Commons seat in the April 5, 1906, by-election.)^[3]

Smith served as an alderman on Red Deer City Council for several years and as mayor from 1916 to 1918.^[2]

Smith ran for a seat to the Alberta Legislature in the 1921 Alberta general election under the United Farmers banner. He defeated incumbent John Gaetz in a two-way race in a landslide to pick up the Red Deer seat for his party.^[4]

Smith faced Gaetz again in the 1926 Alberta general election as well as Conservative candidate William Payne. The election was held using Instant-runoff voting and no candidate took a majority of the votes in the first count. On the second vote count, Gaetz was eliminated and his votes were transferred. Smith took a majority of the votes cast, to defeat Payne and hold his seat.^[5]

In the 1930 Alberta general election Smith faced Payne again in a two-way race and defeated him by 88 votes.^[6]

Smith was hospitalized in Red Deer, Alberta in July 1931 for ailing kidneys. He died on August 1, 1931, of a heart seizure shortly before he was to have surgery.^[2]

• Legislative Assembly of Alberta Members Listing