In 2008 she was elected Woodbury County supervisor, serving eight years, before losing to Republican Keith Radig in 2016.

In 2018 she sought the Democratic nomination for the Iowa Senate's seventh district seat.

[3] She won her party nomination and went on to defeat incumbent Rick Bertrand in the general election.

[4] As of April 2020, Smith serves on the following committees: Local Government (Ranking Member), Education, Natural Resources and Environment, and Transportation.

She also serves on the Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee, School Finance Formula Review Committee, as well as the Economic Development Authority Board, and the Statewide Fire and Police Retirement System Board of Trustees.