12 Facts About Ras Smith

RasTafari I "Ras" Smith was born on December 29,1987 and is an American politician from Iowa.

Ras Smith served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 2017 to 2023, as a legislator from District 62.

RasTafari Smith was named for the royal title and given name of Haile Selassie.

Ras Smith is married to Amelia, an educator, with whom he has two children.

Ras Smith was raised in northeast Waterloo, Iowa, and attended Northern University High School in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Ras Smith enrolled at Wartburg College and Iowa State University before completing a bachelor's degree in exercise science at the University of Northern Iowa.

Ras Smith then worked as the strength and conditioning coach at Waterloo East High School and volunteered as a member of the high school's American football coaching staff.

Ras Smith left East High to work at a Target Corporation distribution center, then joined Four Oaks, a special education program, as a counselor and later, shift leader.

Ras Smith contested that seat in 2016 as a Democratic Party candidate, defeating Republican Party candidate Todd Obadal and political independent John Patterson.

Ras Smith was reelected in 2018 and 2020, both times uncontested.

On June 15,2021, Ras Smith announced that he would run for governor of Iowa in 2022.

Ras Smith suspended his campaign in January 2022, citing lack of funds.