has led to conflicts in interest during his career in the State Senate: previously serving as a lobbyist for Florida Power & Light (FP&L), Smith protested the confirmation of two former Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) commissioners while serving as State Senator.

In 2004, Smith faced Sallie Tillman-Watson in the Democratic primary, but he turned away her challenge easily.

In the Democratic primary, Smith defeated Earlen C. Smiley, the Deputy Superintendent of the Broward County School Board; Michael E. Carn; and Terry A. Williams Edden in a landslide.

[2] Smith was endorsed for re-election by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, which praised him for becoming "the lead advocate for issues dear to Senate Democrats, from closing corporate tax loopholes to providing more state funding to make higher education more accessible and affordable.

[citation needed] Chris Smith fell short of beating incumbent Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness in the race for the District 9 seat, by 385 votes.