Doug Smith is the Republican Candidate for Iowa House District 95, which covers Clarke, Decatur and part of Union County, including Osceola and Creston.

 

Doug and his wife of 12 years, Amber, live in Osceloa and have seven beautiful children with their eighth due in October.  Even though Doug is a dedicated husband first and father second he maintains that if it were not for his fervent faith in Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, keeping these priorities in line would be a nearly insurmountable task.

Doug was born in St. Louis,  Missouri and raised by his mother, a hard working registered nurse.  After graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a BS in Agriculture in 1989, he enrolled in The New England Culinary Institute.  He graduated with an AOS degree in Culinary Arts and worked in Washington D.C. and Phoenix, AZ, before settling in  Des Moines in 1993, where he became the Executive Chef and eventually Co-Owner of Cosi Cucina Restaurant in Clive for 11 years. 

 

Doug focused on fostering new talent in the restaurant industry and under his leadership at Cosi, over ten of his former employees went on to either own their own business or become leaders in another business.  Doug was also very successful at collaborating with local producers.  "Everyone said we could not pull the producers together or get the community  involved," said Smith, "Yet we were able to accomplish just that and the changes in the Des Moines food scene have continued to evolve to this very day."

 

Doug Smith hopes to bring his leadership and collaboration skills to work for you in the Iowa House.