More Than A Name: Virgil Smith II
By Jan Johnson
With no intention of running for City Council,
residents in District 2 convinced the talented
young law maker to put his name on the ballot.
“Yes, I had reservations (about running) with all
that’s going on.” Smith said.
It is the third time that the gifted Detroiter with a
B.S. in Political Science, an M.B.A in Public
Administration and legislation under his belt has
been recruited to serve his community in public
office.
“All that’s going on” would have been enough to
end the career of almost any American politician.
In April 2016, Virgil Smith II resigned his seat as
State Senator after facing felony and
misdemeanor charges from a 2015 domestic
incident involving his ex-wife, his then-girlfriend
and a firearm at his home. After a series of events
in the home, Smith fired 10 rounds into the hood
of his ex-wife’s car.
“It was the stupidest thing I ever did,” he said
later in a statement to a law enforcement official.
He pled guilty to malicious destruction of
property and the other charges were dropped. He
served his time.
“I have learned some hard lessons and now I’m
moving forward.” said Smith when asked about
being urged to put his name on the ballot.
CONT’D