Linda Collins-Smith

Since at least 2001, Collins-Smith owned and operated the Days Inn in Pocahontas, which was sold in 2016. Before owning Days Inn she was a real estate agent.[3][4] In 2012, Collins-Smith and her husband purchased a non-franchise motel, renovated and opened in 2013. The motel being the only business still owned by Collins-Smith at the time of her death.

Prior to her Senate service, Collins-Smith was a one-term member from 2011 to 2013 of the Arkansas House of Representatives from District 80.[3] Though elected as a Democrat, she switched parties in August 2011, eight months after taking office.[2][5]

In redistricting, Collins-Smith was moved to the same 19th senatorial district as Republican incumbent Lori Benedict. Therefore, Collins-Smith chose to run for the Arkansas Senate in the 19th district, rather than challenge Benedict.[6] Incumbent Democratic Senator David Wyatt defeated her in the 2012 general election, but on November 4, 2014, she beat Democrat James McLean for the seat. Wyatt died shortly thereafter.

In 2017, Collins-Smith introduced Senate Bill 774, the Arkansas Physical Privacy and Safety Act, which would prohibit people, including transgender people, from entering government restrooms or changing facilities designated for the opposite sex, as it pertains to "a person’s immutable biological sex as objectively determined by anatomy and genetics existing at the time of birth.”[7][8] She said the bill would set a baseline for privacy across the state and shield public schools from lawsuits by organizations "seeking to impose their anti-privacy agenda on our children."[9] It did not pass.[8]

Linda grew up in rural Williford, Arkansas. Her family was very poor living some 10 miles down a gravel road and didn't have running water in her home until her teen years. She knew what it was like to carry water from the spring and cut firewood. "Her background taught her the value of hard work, and the blessing of living in a land where everyone, from the poor country girl to the inner city street kid, had the opportunity to achieve their dreams through industry and determination."[10]

According to her obituary, "Linda accomplished much good during her lifetime. She was a former Arkansas State Representative and former Arkansas State Senator. In addition, she was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. She was a member of the following organizations: Gun Owners of America, Arkansas Hospitality Association, National Federation of Independent Business, Arkansas Chamber of Commerce, Randolph County Arkansas Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Arkansas Lodging Association, Lower Mississippi Delta Development Council, and the Arkansas Federation of Republican Women. Linda was also proud to be the founder of the Randolph County Tourism Association and a supporter of the Patriots of Act 746, in Arkansas."[11]

Collins-Smith was married to Philip Smith, a circuit court judge who was disgraced after a 2017 scandal.[4] She filed for divorce that November.[12] They had two children and three grandchildren.[1]

On June 4, 2019, Collins-Smith's body was found outside her home in Pocahontas; she had died of stab wounds (initially reported as gunshot wounds).[4] Her neighbors reported hearing gunfire "a day or two" before.[13] The arrest affidavit released, partially redacted, on July 30 reveal that cause of death was stab wounds and she was found outside her home by her son and father.[14][15]

On June 17, 2019, Rebecca Lynn O’Donnell of Pocahontas, a former campaign worker and personal friend of Collins-Smith, was charged with capital murder, tampering with physical evidence and abuse of a corpse. O'Donnell is being held without bond.[16][17][18] O'Donnell pleaded not guilty to all three charges.[14][15]

• List of American politicians who switched parties in office

• Profile at Vote Smart