About the Commissioner

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Jim Smith was sworn in as District 5 County Commissioner on March 27, 2018.

Wayne Johnson Portrait

Jim Smith recently retired from the New Mexico Legislature after eight sessions of service to House District 22. His district encompassed the unincorporated area of the East Mountains of Bernalillo County along with Edgewood, Placitas and Algodones.

In the New Mexico House of Representatives, Jim served on the Appropriations and Finance Committee and the Education Committee. For two years, he also chaired the Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee. A champion of open government and transparency, Jim passed numerous bills that allowed more public access to taxpayer initiatives. As a retired teacher, he also worked to not only improve education, but to protect our students and teachers. He passed legislation that provides insurance coverage for parents of children with autism and another that limits the use of restraint and seclusion in classrooms and schools. His ban on texting while driving was initially driven by his desire to ensure that his students were not engaging in this unsafe practice, but it also makes New Mexico roads safer for everyone.

Jim was a high school science and technology teacher for 18 years before he retired, working in APS, Moriarty High School, and finally at East Mountain High Charter School. While teaching, he was actively involved in his community, serving on the board for the Foundation at East Mountain High School, the PTO at Rt. 66 Elementary School, the board at Wildlife West Nature Park, and as the Treasurer for the Edgewood Chamber of Commerce.

Before beginning his education career, he managed a petroleum engineering laboratory for nine years and a soils engineering laboratory for five years.

Jim and his wife, Lori, live in the East Mountains with their rescue cat, Ed. Their children, Trey, Kristina, Austin, Jessica, and Brandon are grown and have chosen careers in education, the military, and Information Technology.

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