Columbus lawmaker Calvin Smyre is ‘better fit’ as ambassador to the Bahamas, White House says
Columbus lawmaker Calvin Smyre has been nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas, White House officials announced on Friday.
Smyre was originally tapped to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic in September. However, White House deputy press secretary Chris Meagher told the Ledger-Enquirer Monday that there was an opportunity and Smyre was willing to make the switch.
It’s unclear when Smyre could come before the Senate for confirmation.
“After some conversations, it was decided he’d be a better fit for the Bahamas,” Meagher told the Ledger-Enquirer.
Smyre, who turns 75 on Tuesday, served nearly half a century in the Georgia House of Representatives and was its longest-serving member. He chose not to run for re-election in 2022 after being nominated for an ambassadorship.
First elected in 1974, Smyre crafted key legislation and held some of the House’s most powerful positions throughout his career.
He became the first Black official from Georgia elected to the Democratic National Committee in 1985. In 1986, Gov. Joe Frank Harris named Smyre administrative floor leader, becoming the first Black lawmaker to hold the position.
In 2020, the Columbus lawmaker was instrumental in the passage of a new state hate crimes law. Smyre also authored bills making Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday a state holiday and co-sponsored a bill creating a new Georgia state flag, eliminating the old Confederate emblem.
Two Democrats — Zeph Baker and Teddy Reese — are vying to replace Smyre in the 2022 May primary in the renumbered and redrawn House District 140.
“I am excited to be nominated, and if confirmed, look forward to serving,” Smyre told the Ledger-Enquirer.
This story was originally published May 16, 2022 at 12:03 PM.