Former Arkansas state legislator Linda Collins-Smith has died. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that police believe that it was a homicide.
Collins-Smith's tenure in the legislature was relatively brief. However, she still managed to make a name for herself in Arkansas politics.
It's unclear as to when exactly she died
Collins-Smith's body was found outside of her house on Tuesday, located roughly two hours northeast of Little Rock. The following day, police announced that they were investigating her death as a homicide. She had apparently been deceased for a number of days.
Neighbors had reportedly heard noises coming from her house days before the discovery of her body.
She was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives in 2010 as a Democrat. Shortly into her term, she flipped parties to become a Republican. Instead of running for re-election to the House, she chose to run for the Arkansas Senate. She would be unsuccessful against Democratic candidate David Wyatt. Wyatt had already been elected to the Senate from the 12th District. After redistricting, he and Collins-Smith were running in the 19th District. Collins-Smith was succeeded in her House seat by fellow Republican Charlene Fite.
In 2014, Collins-Smith made another run at the 19th District of the Senate.
David Wyatt had opted to retire. Instead, the Democratic nominee would be James McLean. This time, she would emerge victorious.
She would become known as one of the most conservative members of the Arkansas Senate. Collins-Smith was also a prominent foil for Governor Asa Hutchinson. Though Hutchinson is also a Republican, he is relatively more moderate than her.
Collins-Smith was supported by the conservative fiscal group Conduit for Action. She was also known for her opposition to expanding transgender access to restrooms in government facilities. Among her concerns were organizers pushing anti-privacy agendas. In 2017, she made headlines when she introduced a bill reflecting such views.
In 2018, she was defeated in the Republican primary by State Representative James Sturch. Sturch went on to win the general election. As the New York Daily New reports, Sturch quickly offered his sorrow and prayers upon news of her death. Others expressing grief include Arkansas Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin and both the state Republican and Democratic parties.
Collins-Smith was a native of the region
The former representative and senator was born in Pocahontas, Arkansas. There, she owned and ran a Days Inn hotel. It's also where her home, and the site of her death, was located.
She had been married to circuit court judge Philip Smith. They had two children.
