Re-election was even sweeter for Largo’s Michael Smith

Largo – Considering everything, it wasn’t even close.

With nearly 65 percent of the vote, incumbent Michael Smith smartly turned away “family-values” candidate Bronson Oudshoff from Largo’s council chambers in November and continued serving his constituents in a thoughtful manner that bodes well for local government.

“They went after me,” Smith says of the anti-gay forces that helped fund his opponent’s campaign.

But Smith says we are entering a period of local politics where being an LGBT candidate can actually be an advantage. That is, if you do what Smith did and stay above the fray, keeping his campaign positive and focusing on his accomplishments during the past four years.

“People get turned off by the attacks,” he says. “There are other issues besides your life in the bedroom.”

And for the time being, Christian Right candidates seem unable to not take the bait.

“My opponent’s campaign was run by shallow people,” Smith says. “They ran on ‘family values,’ but I have a family too and my values aren’t your values.’”

Voters seemed to side favorably with Smith’s “hands off” approach to morality and defining families as those beyond the white Christian model. Now that he’s back in the council chambers, Smith is focusing on getting the Pinellas countywide registry on track.

While Smith introduced a Largo-based effort, the efforts of the council are now focusing on all of Pinellas county.

Smith says he’s confident he’s up to the task of making sure all of his constituents are represented. He’s also encouraging LGBT people he knows to pick up the mantle and run for local government.

“We can do the same job as a straight person,” Smith says. “A lot of what being an elected politician is about is working relationships. If you have a set viewpoint you need to realize you were elected to work with others you may not always agree with.

“I’m not just the gay commissioner; I am the Largo commissioner, and I will help my constituents as best I can.”

Informing that will to serve is his background in library work and politics.

“I’m a nerd who likes to read history,” he says. Smith also served on two political campaigns.

“Kevin Beckner and Steve Kornell; they were my motivation to run as an out candidate. Just be yourself and hopefully that will appeal to the voter and they will respect that.

“I think a big part of the difference is people realizing they have brothers and sisters that are LGBT. It becomes a lot more difficult to discriminate when there’s a face you know on it.”

As for elected officials walking in the St. Pete Pride parade, there’s going to be even more this year, thanks to pioneering candidates like Smith, who in 2011 was the only gay commissioner from the Largo area.

“That year I walked with my mayor,” he says.

Smith hopes to convince more LGBT people to run for local government offices in the near future.

“We are all impacted by it,” he said. “And there are still ways we need to be recognized, like an employee of the city who doesn’t get domestic partnership benefits.”

Even though Largo Commissioner is his first elected post. Smith has been active in politics since he was 14, saying, “I know what that process is all about.”

Helping to keep him grounded is Smith’s partner, Eric Hutton.

“ He lets me know when I coming off as stupid or cocky,” Smith laughs.
Smith has garnered a reputation as a politician who listens and builds bridges. Working with state politicians is an area that can be improved, he says.

Smith is also closely following the news that Jan. 6 could very likely be the first day same-sex couples can legally marry in the Sunshine State. But marriage equality is just one of many things he’s focused on. There’s work to be done with Florida’s gay youth.

“We need to address why a young person commits suicide,” he says.

While voters didn’t agree with Smith on every issue—his support for the “Greelight Pinellas” rail system proved to be out of step with the ballot measure’s defeat—he’s proving himself a city commissioner who’s getting recognized by constituents, gay or straight.

Just by being himself.

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