Candidate for
Member; California State Assembly; District 59; Democratic Party

Patrick Smith was born on Dec. 26th, 1970, and grew up in the San Gabriel Valley. During high school, Patrick was awarded a summer scholarship to study in Washington DC. This opportunity fueled a keen interest in public service, policy and government.

In 1989 Patrick joined the Navy, training as an operational intelligence specialist. Aboard the USS Blue Ridge in the Arabian Gulf, Patrick participated in contingency planning and provided operational support before, during and after the Gulf War. He subsequently served aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), where duties included training personnel and coordinating the battlegroup intelligence center's classified map and publication inventory. Shortly before the end of his military service, an article written by Patrick, on wartime management and leadership issues, was published by Proceedings, a professional journal for naval officers.

In 1994, Patrick enrolled at Hampshire College in Amherst, MA. He studied Communications and Community Studies there, was certified as a conflict mediator, and was elected to serve on the College's Community Council. When charges of corruption were advanced against members of the council's leadership, peers honored Patrick's commitment to integrity and fairness by selecting him to chair the investigation.

Returning to California in 1997, Patrick went to work in the technology industry, assisting clients, training staff, and explaining technology at events across North America. Patrick currently holds a part-time staff position at Scripps College in Claremont where he supports student and faculty use of multimedia resources and other instructional technology. He also operates a technology consulting company, offering technology facilitation to local clients.