James A. Smith

Who is James A. Smith?

James Alexander Smith was a teacher, school principal and served as Canadian federal politician from 1955 to 1958. He was born in Bawlf, Alberta, Canada.

Smith first ran for a seat in the Canadian House of Commons in a by-election held in the Battle River—Camrose electoral district. He won the hotly contested by election defeating former Member of Parliament William Irvine and Liberal candidate Mac Smith by less than 400 votes to win his first term in office. Smith would run for re-election in the 1957 Canadian federal election. He would be re-elected with a landslide majority to his second term.

The Progressive Conservative minority government would be dissolved in 1958 forcing Smith to run for re-election just a year later in the 1958 Canadian federal election. He would be defeated by Progressive Conservative Clifford Smallwood whom Smith had defeated one year prior. Smallwood and Smith would face contest the 1962 Canadian federal election against each other with Smallwood retaining his seat.

Smith would attempt to run for a seat a year later running in the Peace River district for the 1963 Canadian federal election.