When Jimmie Smith joined the U.S. Army at 17, he wasn’t thinking about politics. He just wanted to live out the adventures of his childhood heroes, like John Wayne and Audie Murphy. “I dropped out of high school and joined the military,” he said. “It was my dream to serve.”
That dream turned into a 20-year military career that took him from Fort Lewis, Washington, to Korea and Panama, and into elite units like the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions. Along the way, he learned a lesson that would shape the rest of his life: lead from the front.
After retiring, Smith returned home to Citrus County, Florida, and started paying attention to local politics. One day, he read a quote from his state representative that didn’t sit right with him; the politician argued the problem wasn’t government spending, but a lack of revenue. “In plain English,” Smith said, “he was saying we need to tax people more. And that went against everything I believed.”
So, with no political background, little money, and plenty of determination, Smith decided to run for office himself. “Even if I lost, I wanted to drive a narrative that was right for my community,” he said. In 2010, he won a seat in the Florida House of Representatives, earning a reputation as the “Common Man” a blue-collar lawmaker who fought to cut taxes and limit government expansion.
His proudest moments came when he stood up for working Americans and veterans. As chair of the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, Smith pushed to replace handouts with opportunity. “Veterans don’t want free stuff,” he said. “We want the chance to come home, work hard, and succeed. That’s the American dream.”
Now, Smith continues that mission with Concerned Veterans for America, helping former service members use their voices to advocate for freedom and limited government. “I don’t advocate for veterans,” he said. “I help veterans advocate for America.”
His advice to others thinking about getting involved? “Be prepared, know your stuff, and lead from the front, just like in the military. Freedom’s worth defending, and that starts with taking one small step.”
