State Sen. Matt Smith resigns
State Sen. Matt Smith (D-Mt. Lebanon) is resigning his 37th District seat to become the new president of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce.
Smith, 42, said he expects to assume his new duties sometime in mid-June. He replaces DeWitt Peart who was named in January as president and CEO of Downtown Austin Alliance in Texas.
“It is a great opportunity to stay in public affairs,” Smith said of his appointment to the top chamber post.
“It was not a decision I took lightly,” he said.
Smith said his top priorities will include working on the area’s infrastructure, pursuing public and private development opportunities, economic development, growth opportunities at Pittsburgh International Airport and educational issues.
“I am going to build on what I did in public life,” he said.
Lt. Gov. Mike Stack will call for a special election to fill the vacancy left by Smith’s resignation. Smith’s district includes a large chunk of the South Hills, including Peters Township.
Until Smith’s successor is elected, Smith said his local offices in Mt. Lebanon, Moon Township, South Park and South Fayette will remain open. His eight staff members will be retained until that time as well, he said. He was not sure whether any of his staff members would be joining him at the chamber.
Smith was in his first term in the Senate, taking office in 2013. Before being elected to the Senate, he served three terms in the state House of Representatives, representing the 42nd District.
Smith is a 1991 graduate of Bethel Park High School and has an undergraduate degree from Rollins College in Winter Park. Fla. He has a law degree from Duquesne University and was a member of the Duquesne Law Review.
Prior to going into politics, Smith was an attorney with Babst Calland in Downtown Pittsburgh, where he served as the firm’s pro-bono coordinator. He lives in Mt. Lebanon with his wife, Eileen, and their children, Delaney, Emerson and Jameson.
“We’re pleased to welcome Senator Smith as our new president and look forward to his leadership as we work together to advocate on critical issues that will shape our region’s future,” said Laura E. Ellsworth, chair of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, in a statement.