Smith, a Republican, represents the 19th District. The district includes all of Floyd County and Salem. It also includes parts of Bedford, Carroll, Franklin, Montgomery, Roanoke, and Wythe counties.
In announcing his decision, Smith endorsed Dave Suetterlein to succeed him in the Senate. Sutterlein is currently the chairman of the Roanoke County Republican Committee.
Smith said he’ll still be a civic activist in the region and did not rule out a new political campaign in the future.
“Today, I want to express my thanks to the people of Virginia, especially those in my district who have placed their trust in me by electing me to serve as their voice – and to fight for their principles and values – in the Senate of Virginia,” Smith said in a statement. “For a boy who grew up on Williamson Road and who started off working in a gas station, this has been an extraordinary honor.”
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