Joseph F. Smith (Pennsylvania politician)
| Joseph F. Smith | |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 3rd district |
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In office July 21, 1981 – January 3, 1983 |
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| Preceded by | Raymond Lederer |
| Succeeded by | Robert Borski |
| Chairman of the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee |
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In office April 14, 1983 – June 16, 1986 |
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| Preceded by | David Glancey |
| Succeeded by | Bob Brady |
| Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 4th district |
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In office January 5, 1971 – July 21, 1981 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph Scanlon |
| Succeeded by | Joe Rocks |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 24, 1920 |
| Died | May 14, 1999 (aged 79) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| a.^ Smith defeated Edgar Campbell, who had been serving as the city party's Acting Chairman since Glancy's resignation became effective March 10, 1983, for the post. | |
Joseph Francis Smith (January 24, 1920 – May 14, 1999), was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania during the Ninety-seventh United States Congress (1981–1983).
Smith was born in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - a community composed of blue collar families, mostly of Irish, Polish and Russian heritage. He was married to Regina Bukowski-Smith, also of the Port Richmond section in Philadelphia. They had one daughter, Regina. Smith was a Sergeant and Purple Heart recipient in the United States Army during World War II.
After leaving the military, Smith became active in local politics, serving first as Ward Chair for James A. Byrne between 1965 and 1970. He became Byrne's Administrative Assistant during that time. He then served in the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1971 until 1981, and eventually became Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations.
He won election in 1981 as a Democrat to the 97th Congress through a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of United States Representative Raymond Lederer due to the ABSCAM sting. Smith lost the Democratic primary in the special election to David B. Glancey, but then ran as a Republican, with the blessing of the GOP, in the general election and won. He promised during his campaign that he would caucus with the Democrats if elected.
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