Roby Smith
American politician and legislator
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Roby Smith (born 1977) is an American businessman and politician currently serving as Treasurer of Iowa since 2023.
Roby Smith | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2021 | |
| 26th Treasurer of Iowa | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2023 | |
| Governor | Kim Reynolds |
| Preceded by | Michael Fitzgerald |
| Member of the Iowa Senate from the 47th district | |
| In office January 10, 2011 – January 1, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Mark Chelgren |
| Succeeded by | Scott Webster |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1977 (age 48–49) Wyandotte, Michigan, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Concordia University Nebraska (BS) |
Early life
Roby Smith was born in Wyandotte, Michigan in 1977.[1] He grew up in St. Louis, Missouri.[2] His parents were both elementary teachers.[2]
Political career
In 2006, Smith ran for the Iowa House seat in District 85, losing to Jim Lykam.
He was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2010, and represented District 47[1][3] and headed the State Government Committee.
In 2022, he defeated Michael Fitzgerald, a Democrat who had held the office of the Treasurer of Iowa since 1983.[4]
In the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries, Smith endorsed businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.[5]
Personal life
He is married to Kari Smith and has four children.[2] He attends Trinity Lutheran Church in Davenport with his family, where they also live.[2] He is a small business owner of Two Stones Design,[1] and holds a Business Administration degree from Concordia University. He is an Eagle Scout recipient, and supporter of the Boy Scouts of America.[3]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roby Smith | 614,943 | 51.26% | |
| Democratic | Michael Fitzgerald (incumbent) | 584,021 | 48.68% | |
| Write-in | 667 | 0.06% | ||
| Total votes | 1,199,631 | 100.0% | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roby Smith (incumbent) | 16,125 | 52.8 | |
| Democratic | Marie Gleason | 14,418 | 47.2 | |
| Total votes | 30,543 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roby Smith | 14,988 | 56.4% | ||
| Democratic | Maria Bribriesco | 11,580 | 43.6% | ||
| Total votes | 26,568 | 100.0% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Roby Smith | 13,865 | 59.5 | |
| Democratic | Richard A. Clewell | 9,432 | 40.5 | |
| Total votes | 23,297 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jim Lykam | 5,623 | 54.3% | ||
| Republican | Roby Smith | 4,515 | 43.6% | ||
| Total votes | 10,355 | 100.0% | |||
