MEET MICHAEL

Michael Smith was raised by working-class parents who instilled in him the value of hard work and the importance of a good education. Like so many American families, Michael's family experienced both good times and hard times. At the height of the global recession in the late 2000s, Michael's parents suffered bouts of unemployment, putting strain on the family’s finances in the face of skyrocketing tuition costs - a painful situation that too many families still face today.

Knowing he would need a scholarship to attend college, Michael worked diligently and earned his way into a full scholarship at the University of Alabama, forcing him to move over 500 miles from home to study. In his four years at Alabama, he earned both a bachelor's and master's degree in economics, with a concentration in public policy. His timing at Alabama was particularly fortunate, as he overlapped on campus with current-day Philadelphia Eagles stars Jalen Hurts, Devonta Smith, and Landon Dickerson.

During parts of his college career and after graduation, Michael lived in the so-called “DMV”, where he joined economic research teams studying various energy and e-commerce markets, with a focus on their economic and environmental impacts. His work in the nation’s capital inspired him to help end our damaging dependence on fossil fuels, which harms our environment and puts families at risk. When the pandemic hit, Michael sought out the same sense of community he had grown up with, leaving the DMV and putting down roots in Pike Creek.

After working remotely for most of the pandemic, Michael founded a nonprofit promoting clean energy infrastructure across New Castle County called Powering Our Future. Under his leadership, the nonprofit has given out over 500 electric leaf blowers, 2,000 high efficiency LED light bulbs and dozens of electrification rebates. He has also helped install several air quality monitors and electric vehicle charging stations at senior centers, parks, apartment complexes and churches across New Castle County.

While managing the nonprofit, Michael also worked in Dover as a legislative aide, collaborating with state representatives to improve life for Delaware residents and learning the ins and outs of constituent services. While working in Dover, Michael assisted countless families in navigating a bureaucratic web of agencies and departments. He helped address issues as small as filling a pothole or clearing fallen branches after a storm to more significant problems, like finding long-term housing or collecting Social Security survivor benefits.

Over the years, Michael has served in numerous volunteer roles, including:

  • Vice Chair of the 21st RD Democratic Committee

  • Assistant Treasurer of the Newark Branch NAACP

  • Secretary of BikeNewark

  • Vice President of the Delaware Young Democrats

  • Coach of the UD Speech and Debate Team

Now, Michael is running for House District 21, aiming to flip the district and bring common sense solutions for education, transportation, and economic policy to Dover. As state representative, Michael aspires to be a champion for the 21st district and for underdiscussed issues where bipartisan consensus can still be reached.