Mr. Smith was elected to the Senate in November 2001. He previously served in the Assembly from 1986-2002, where he was Deputy Minority Leader from 1994-1995 and Parliamentarian from 1988-1989.

Senator Smith has served on the State House Commission since 2008. He was previously involved in the government of Piscataway, serving as its mayor from 1981-1986, a councilman from 1977-1980, and an Environmental Commission and Planning Board member from 1975-1986. He was its chair in 1976.

The senator is an attorney and owns Bob Smith and Associates, a Piscataway law firm.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of Scranton, a master’s degree in environmental science from Rutgers University, and a juris doctor from Seton Hall Law School.

Senator Smith’s wife is the former Ellen Foster. They have two children and seven grandchildren.