Smith began his political career in 1962 when he won the Crook County seat in the Wyoming House of Representatives.
[1] During his time in the legislature, Smith, a Republican, sponsored several notable bills including the first strip mine reclamation law in the West.
[6] In 1977, during his eighth and final term in office, Smith was given the position of Speaker of the Wyoming House of Representatives.
[1] After leaving the state legislature, Smith continued to run his ranches and stayed heavily involved in Wyoming politics.
As president of the Wyoming Taxpayers Association, he worked for the formation of a state Budget Adjustment Account.