Senator Ralph Smith (R-Roanoke)

Photo of Ralph Smith
Party
Republican
District
19: Floyd County (All), Salem City (All), Bedford County (Part), Carroll County (Part), Franklin County (Part), Montgomery County (Part), Roanoke County (Part), Wythe County (Part) [map]
Took Office
January 2008
Next Election
November 2015
Committees
Education and Health, Local Government (Chair), Privileges and Elections, Rules, Transportation
Age
70
Website
ralphsmithsenate.com
Copatroning Habits
58% of bills he copatroned were introduced by Republicans. Of all of the copatrons of his bills, 71% of them are Republicans. Of all of the copatrons of all of the bills that he also copatroned, 55% of them are Republicans.
Partisanship
?
Tag Cloud ?
abortion budget campaign campaign finance commendation crime drugs education election elections ethics finance legislature lobbyist locality marijuana murder open government politics pregnancy property real estate reproduction sbe school student sunlight transparency transportation voting
Bills Passed
27.8% in 2013
Bio

Retired from the trailer part manufacturing business. Served as the mayor of Roanoke from 2000-4. Defeated Sen. Brandon Bell in the Republican primary. Graduate of Nashville Auto-Diesel College. Has four children.

Top Recent Contributors
Donor Sector Total
Smith, Ralph K Republican candidate contributions to own campaign $130,000
Virginia Senate Republican Leadership Trust Republican Party committees $27,484
Building A Better Virginia PACs operated by Republican state politicians $25,000
Newman For Senate 2007 Republican candidate committees $12,000
Ralph Smith Mayor Cmte Uncoded $11,885
Gilmore Patriots Cmte PACs operated by Republican state politicians $5,000
Gilliam, Richard Baxter Coal mining $5,000
Virginia Dental Association Dentists $5,000
The Good Fund PACs operated by Republican state politicians $5,000
Ottaway, Geoff Uncoded $4,400

Data provided by The National Institute on Money in State Politics.

Recent Mentions on Blogs

Election-rigging scheme stumbling in Virginia? - The Maddow Blog

January 25, 2013
Virginia state Sen. Ralph Smith (R). We've been focusing quite a bit lately on Republican efforts to rig the 2016 presidential election by changing how electoral votes are allocated in several key states. Slowly but surely, this ...

Virginia Sen. Ralph Smith (R) Opposes Electoral Vote Rigging | TPM ...

January 25, 2013
Virginia State Sen. Ralph Smith (R) has come out against a proposal to apportion electoral votes in the state by Congressional district, warning it could set off a chain reaction of similar schemes around the country. Smith sits ...

MA Recognized as Pacesetter in Addressing Early Literacy |

October 17, 2012
... Smith and Senator Katherine Clark. Ralph Smith, managing director of the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, kicked off a three-day visit to the commonwealth by designating Massachusetts a State Pacesetter for its efforts to improve children's early literacy. ... At Monday's dinner, Smith presented the bill's two lead sponsors – Senator Katherine Clark and Representative Marty Walz – with copies of the State Pacesetter certificate. Yesterday morning at the Federal ...

Senator Ralph Smith attacks the media in his victory speech

November 9, 2011
Republican Senator Ralph Smith was victorious in a contentious race with Independent candidate and former Senator Brandon Bell. Smith won with over ... Congressman Bob Goodlatte introduced the victorious Sen. Smith.

NRA gives Sen. Ralph Smith A+ rating with endorsement

October 3, 2011
NRA gives Sen. Ralph Smith A+ rating with endorsement. Sen. Ralph Smith at Rep. Goodlatte Balanced Budget Press Conference. ROANOKE, VA– The National Rifle Association has awarded Senator Ralph Smith ...
Recent Mentions in the Media

Lynchburg News and Advance: Bedford board zeroes in on zoning vote

May 15, 2013
He believes down zoning would occur as proposed and several attorneys back his position, he said in his request letter that was also sent to Del. Lacey Putney, I-Bedford, and Sen. Ralph Smith, R-Roanoke County. The letter said in the past 18 months the ...

The Roanoke Star: Cuccinelli Unveils Economic Growth And Jobs Plan

May 8, 2013
Senator Ralph Smith (R-19) enthusiastically endorsed the tax relief plan saying, ?We are in tough competition with other states that are just as hungry to attract and develop new jobs, I've long supported closing tax loopholes and lowering overall ...and more »

These are all of the video clips of Ralph Smith’s remarks on the floor of the Senate since 2009. There are 31 video clips in all.

Index

Jan 27, 2009
Feb 10, 2009
Feb 10, 2009
Feb 04, 2010
Feb 04, 2010
Feb 10, 2010
Feb 11, 2010
Feb 12, 2010
Feb 15, 2010
Feb 16, 2010
Feb 25, 2010
Mar 02, 2010
Mar 08, 2010
Mar 11, 2010
Mar 14, 2010
Mar 14, 2010
Apr 21, 2010
Jan 24, 2011
Jan 25, 2011
Jan 31, 2011
Feb 01, 2011
Feb 02, 2011
Feb 03, 2011
Feb 04, 2011
Feb 09, 2011
Feb 10, 2011
Feb 10, 2011
Feb 15, 2011
Feb 16, 2011
Feb 18, 2011
Feb 21, 2011

Bills

  • SB272: General Assembly; consideration of certain documents related to budget bill.
  • SB277: Abortion, forced or coerced; prohibited, penalty.
  • SB281: Elections; persons entitled to place on ballot when in compliance with campaign finance disclosure.
  • SB936: Teaching positions; notice to principals, assistant principals, or supervisors of reassignment.
  • SB937: Local taxes; interest on refunds and delinquent taxes.
  • SB939: Charter; City of Salem.
  • SB1099: School calendar; local school boards responsible for setting opening of school year, etc.
  • SB1100: General registrar; removes requirement that office be open on second Saturday before May election.
  • SB1161: General Assembly; consideration of conference committee report on biennial budget, etc.
  • SB1166: Littering & illegal dumping; if convicted, ordered to perform minimum of 10 hrs. community service.
  • SB1168: Elections; method of nominating party candidates.
  • SB1200: Traffic regulation; conforms Title 46.2 to changes to Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
  • SB1317: Real property; DGS authorized to convey property to Mennel Milling Company in Roanoke County.
  • SB1318: Cannabinoids, research chemicals, synthetic; penalties.
  • SJ446: Celebrating the life of John Everett Reed.
  • SJ447: Celebrating the life of Patsy Thomas Smith.
  • SJ448: Commending the Vinton Host Lions Club.
  • SJ449: Celebrating the life of Robert E. Dayton.
  • SB272: General Assembly; consideration of certain documents related to budget bill.
  • SB273: Cannabinoids, synthetic; amends provisions regarding criminalization.
  • SB274: Urban development areas; makes designation optional rather than mandatory for all localities.
  • SB275: Elections; party identification on ballots in local elections.
  • SB276: Elections; method of nominating party candidates.
  • SB277: Abortion, forced or coerced; prohibited, penalty.
  • SB278: Teachers; date changes for contract renewal for those without continuing contract status.
  • SB279: Abortion; informed consent, shall undergo ultrasound imaging.
  • SB280: Motor vehicle insurance; places time limits on appeals to DMV for suspension of driver's license.
  • SB281: Elections; persons entitled to place on ballot when in compliance with campaign finance disclosure.
  • SB282: Voter registration; cancellation of registrations from persons reported to be deceased.
  • SB283: Illegal voting and registrations; prohibition against voting more than once.
  • SB662: Waterworks & Wastewater Works Operators & Onsite Sewage System Professionals, Board for; licensure.
  • SB663: Voter identification requirements; concealed handgun permits as acceptable form of identification.
  • SB664: Legal notices; allows localities to meet notice requirements by utilizing their websites, etc.
  • SJ229: Celebrating the life of Henry Thomas Grindstaff.
  • SB505: Political parties; to determine method of nominating candidates.
  • SB507: Lobbyist's disclosure statement; Secretary of Commonwealth to redesign form.
  • SB749: Marijuana, synthetic; penalties for possession, intent to sell, distribute, etc.
  • SB867: Budget bill; Conference Committee Report shall not be considered until on website for 72 hours.
  • SB1211: Mennel Milling Company; DGS to convey certain real property located in Roanoke County.
  • SB1212: Certificate of public need; Commissioner of Health to approve request to amend certain conditions.
  • SB1213: Voter registration applications; Board of Elections to make available where fishing license is sold.
  • SB1214: Attorney General; investigation of complaints of abuse of person in care of others.
  • SB1215: Medicaid fraud; restitution.
  • SB1216: Delinquent sewer & water fees; authority to provide 30 days notice prior to recording lien.
  • SB1217: Abortion; person who forces or coerces pregnant female against her will is guilty of misdemeanor.
  • SB1218: Nominating candidates; political parties to determine method.
  • SB1266: Size and weight compliance agents; citations for overweight vehicles.
  • SB1434: Certificate of public need; addition of nursing facility beds in Planning District 11, etc.
  • SB1435: Abortion; person shall undergo ultrasound imaging and view image of her fetus.
  • SB1436: Eminent domain; condemnor is required to provide an appraisal to owner of condemned property.
  • SJ456: Commending Joe C. Tate.
  • SJ513: Celebrating the life of John P. Fishwick.
  • SR36: Celebrating the life of Connie Amos Thurston.
  • SB3: Concealed handgun permits; renewal by mail.
  • SB4: General Assembly Conflicts of Interests Act; disclosure of government employment.
  • SB5: Budget; consideration of certain documents related to.
  • SB502: Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority; delays reversion of title to real property to State.
  • SB503: Charter; Town of Fincastle.
  • SB504: Abortion; any person who forces or coerces pregnant female to have is guilty of Class 1 misdemeanor.
  • SB505: Political parties; to determine method of nominating candidates.
  • SB506: Political contributions; prohibition during procurement process.
  • SB507: Lobbyist's disclosure statement; Secretary of Commonwealth to redesign form.
  • SB508: House and Senate Ethics Advisory Panels; completion of inquiry once initiated.
  • SB509: Charter; Town of Vinton.
  • SB510: New River Valley Emergency Communications Regional Authority Act; created.
  • SB603: General Assembly Conflicts of Interests Act; penalties.
  • SB637: Jail superintendent and officers; service of civil and criminal process of jailed inmates.
  • SJ161: Commending Radford University on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.
  • SJ235: Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
  • SJ236: Commending Titan America.
  • SJ250: Commending Community Housing Partners.
  • SR20: Commending the Cave Spring High School boys' basketball team.
  • SB736: State song; designates 'Cradle of Liberty'.
  • SB779: Real estate taxes; assessments, bills, and deferral by localities.
  • SB827: Family life education; adds benefits, etc., of marriage for men, etc., to list of topics covered.
  • SB828: License plates, special; issuance to members & supporters of Friends of Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc.
  • SB829: Registered voters; registration residence requirements for person attending accredited institution.
  • SB875: Jury costs; plaintiff who requests trial in civil case shall be assessed.
  • SB934: General Assembly; consideration of certain documents related to the Budget.
  • SB935: Remote access to land records; Prince William County may establish a pilot program, assessing fee.
  • SB1224: Littering; person to perform community service if matter illegally dumped or ejected from vehicle.
  • SB1225: Charter; Town of Fincastle.
  • SB1513: Firearms; award of court costs, etc., to entity that prevails in action challenging locality.
  • SB1514: Real estate tax; notice of change in assessment.
  • SJ302: Celebrating the life of Leigh Buckner Hanes, Jr.
  • SJ356: Teenage driving; joint subcommittee to study.
  • SJ465: Commending Bruce M. Farrell.
  • SJ499: Celebrating the life of Henry D. Gregory III.
  • SJ500: Celebrating the life of James Arnold Jones.
  • SJ5009: Celebrating the life of Charlton Heston.
  • SJ5020: Commending Elmer C. Hodge, Jr.
  • SJ5021: Commending Malvin Wells.
  • SB730: Concealed handgun permits; access to permittee information.
  • SB731: Central Criminal Records Exchange; clarifies orders for mental health treatment forwarded by court.
  • SB732: Class 1 misdemeanors; local law-enforcement shall report to school superintendent, etc.
  • SB733: Illegal aliens; presumption against admission to bail for those charged with criminal offense.
  • SB734: Administrative Process Act; public participation guidelines for executive branch agencies.
  • SB735: Decedents' estates; priority of debts.
  • SB736: State song; designates 'Cradle of Liberty'.
  • SB762: Abortion; forced or coerced prohibited, penalty.
  • SB779: Real estate taxes; assessments, bills, and deferral by localities.
  • SJ207: Commending Roanoke Valley Amateur Radio Club, Inc., on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.
  • SJ233: Commending Forest G. Jones.
  • SJ5009: Celebrating the life of Charlton Heston.
  • SJ5020: Commending Elmer C. Hodge, Jr.
  • SJ5021: Commending Malvin Wells.
  • SJ6013: Celebrating the life of Therl Edward Leonard.