By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Thursday, November 20 Congressman-elect Gary Palmer (R) announced that he has named William David Smith Jr. as his Chief of Staff.
The Ozark Native is presently U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions’ (R) Chief Counsel.
Congressman-elect Palmer said in a statement, “William is a man of utmost integrity and high intellect. I am honored to have him serve alongside me. He is an Alabama native and his vast experience will be an asset as we work hard to accomplish great things for our state and nation.”
According to information supplied by Palmer’s office Smith currently serves as Chief Counsel, Committee on the Budget, for Senator Jeff Sessions. In this capacity, he chairs an oversight working group with House and Senate staffers and conducts oversight investigations of government programs for waste, fraud, abuse and ineffectiveness. Smith also served under Sessions as Chief Counsel, Committee on the Judiciary. In this role, he worked on the confirmation process of the four most recent Supreme Court justices and shepherded Alabama’s federal judicial nominees through the confirmation process.
Sen. Jeff Sessions said, “William is a patriot, a man of action, a man of principle, and a man of faith. He will be a terrific leader for the fine team Gary is assembling.”
Smith said, “Working for Congressman-elect Palmer is a true honor and privilege. I know he is dedicated to the principles upon which our great nation was founded and will work to protect and restore them. I look forward to the challenges ahead, as we serve the nation and specifically the people in Alabama’s 6th District.”
Smith has spent more than 10 years working with Senator Sessions. Smith also served as the Executive Director of Congressional Relations for Americans for Limited Government, where he advised members of Congress and their staff on fiscally conservative policies and instructed more than 20 grassroots organizations on how to impact Congress’ legislative agenda. Smith is a past associate with Starnes & Atchison LLP and worked as a clerk and staff attorney for former Alabama Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Harold F. See.
Smith has a Masters Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Information and Library Science, a law degree from the University of Alabama: School of Law, and a bachelors degree in Telecommunications and Film from the University of Alabama.
Smith is an elder at Arlington Baptist Church, in Arlington Virginia and is a member of the Foundation Board of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also a member of the Conservative Action Project coordinating committee.
Smith is originally from Ozark, Alabama and owns a home in Helena. He and his wife, Diamond, presently live in Burke, Virginia with their three children.
On November 4, Gary Palmer was elected to represent Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District. Popular incumbent Representative Spencer Bachus (R from Vestavia) is retiring at the end of the year and chose not to seek a 12th term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Gary Palmer co-founded the Alabama Policy Institute which he headed as President until stepping down late last year to run for Congress.
