MEET MICHAEL

Family Roots

Michael Smith was raised by working-class parents who instilled in him the value of hard work and the importance of a good education. These values started with my great-grandfather, who served as mayor of Olyphant, PA over a century ago. Like many 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.

Earning His Way

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 bachelor's degrees in economics and in finance, and a Master's degree in public policy economics. 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.

Early Career

During parts of his college career and after graduation, Michael lived in the so-called “DMV”, where he joined economic research teams studying energy and technological markets, with a focus on their economic and environmental impacts. During his time at the Progressive Policy Institute and Secretariat Economists, Michael worked with some of the field’s leading thinkers and experts. Two years into his career, Michael sought out the same sense of community he had grown up with, leaving the DMV and putting down roots in Pike Creek.

Nonprofit Leadership

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

Work in Dover

While managing the nonprofit, Michael also worked in the Delaware House Democratic Caucus in Dover, 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, addressing issues from clearing fallen branches after a storm to aiding folks in collecting Social Security survivor benefits. He also created online tools to model changes in revenue and finance policy.

Step Back, Step Forward

After working in the Delaware House of Representatives, Michael ran to be a representative himself, campaigning on a platform of bringing down the cost of living, reducing environmental pollution, and reimagining our state’s infrastructure. During the campaign, Michael substitute taught one of his favorite subjects: math. Michael narrowly lost his race by 30 votes. Undeterred, he moved back into economic and financial research, serving as an experienced analyst at Cornerstone Research, which recently ranked #2 in the world for economic consulting.

Community Service

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

  • New Castle County Resident Representative: Delaware Pedestrian Council

  • Vice President: Delaware Young Democrats

  • Vice Chair: 21st RD Democratic Committee

  • Assistant Treasurer: Newark Branch NAACP

  • Vice Chair: BikeNewark