From staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — William David Smith Jr. has been named Chief of Staff for newly elected Republican Congressman Gary Palmer, representing Alabama’s 6th District.
“William is a man of utmost integrity and high intellect. I am honored to have him serve alongside me,” Palmer said. “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.”
Smith currently serves as Chief Counsel, Committee on the Budget, for Sen. 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.
“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,” Sessions said.
In addition to his more than 10 years working with Sessions, Smith served as 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.
“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,” Smith said. “I look forward to the challenges ahead, as we serve the nation and specifically the people in Alabama’s 6th District.”
Smith is a past associate with Starnes & Atchison LLP and also worked as a clerk and staff attorney for former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Harold F. See.
He holds his M.L.S. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Information and Library Science and his J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law. He also earned his B.A. in telecommunications and film from the University of Alabama.
He serves as an elder at Arlington Baptist Church in Arlington, Va., 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, originally from Ozark, owns a home in Helena. He and his wife, Diamond, currently reside in Burke, Va., with their three children.