SMART-TD’s Chris Smith Wins City Council Seat in Tama, Iowa 

Bringing Railroader Grit and Union Values to Local Government 

TAMA, IOWA — Brother Chris Smith, SMART-TD’s Iowa Safety & Legislative Director, is taking his trademark fight for working people from the rail yards to City Hall. Smith was elected to an at-large seat on the Tama, Iowa City Council in his first-ever campaign for public office. 

Public service runs deep in Smith’s blood. His father served the City of Tama in the same role for 18 years. Watching his dad work to make Tama a better place through the 1990s left a lasting impression. “Seeing my dad serve taught me just how many people one person could help in that position,” Smith told SMART News. “He was pragmatic and saved the city a lot of tax dollars by applying common sense to the issues it faced. I want to bring that same mentality back to my community.” 

That sense of responsibility rooted in honesty, hard work, and accountability is what drives Smith both as a union leader and now as a public servant. “I look at the city’s budget just like I do our members’ dues money,” he said. “I know how hard our members work for every dollar, and as an officer of SMART-TD, I take pride in being a good steward of their contributions. Local governments owe taxpayers that same respect.” 

From the Statehouse to City Hall: The Same Relentless Advocate 

Since taking over as State Legislative Director (SLD) for SMART-TD in Iowa, Brother Smith has built a reputation as a passionate, no-nonsense advocate for rail workers. He’s known in the statehouse for being “nobody’s yes man.” Whether challenging bad legislation or demanding accountability from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, Smith’s approach is grounded in one principle: the people he represents deserve results, not lip service. 

He’s taken Iowa’s State Legislative Board from a difficult financial position to solid ground, proving his ability to manage resources and make every dollar count. It’s that same discipline and fight he now brings to the City of Tama. 

Fighting for Accountability 

Smith’s journey into local politics started when he challenged a proposed 24% property tax hike. When city officials failed to provide clear answers about how the extra money would be spent, Smith showed up at a council meeting to demand transparency. “I wanted them to be accountable for every dollar they were asking for,” he recalled. “By the end of that meeting, the proposed increase dropped from 24% to 16%. That’s when I realized that using a little accountability and common sense could make a big difference — and that I had more work to do.” 

As Smith continued attending meetings, his railroader’s instinct for practical problem-solving kicked in again. This time, he had to play defense when Union Pacific Railroad came knocking. The railroad offered Tama a one-time payout to close one of its five crossings, which city leaders initially viewed as a financial windfall. But Smith wasn’t fooled. 

Drawing on 20 years as a conductor and brakeman, he knew that nothing is as good as the railroad makes it out to be. He took it on himself to find the flaws in the deal, and it wasn’t hard! UP’s offer was eight times less than what it had paid a neighboring city for a similar closure, and the proposed shutdown would have cut off part of Tama from emergency services. Even worse, the city would have incurred a financial loss after investing in quiet zone upgrades that UP had no intention of reimbursing. 

Once Smith laid out the facts, the city reversed course and refused to get “railroaded” by a bad deal. It was a defining moment for Brother Smith and the taxpayers of Tama. “That’s when I knew I had to step up,” he said. 

A Railroader’s Approach to Public Service 

For Smith, running for City Council wasn’t about personal ambition or padding his bank account (Tama City Council pays $25 a half); it was about duty. “Instead of being the noisy guy in the back with ideas on how other people could do the job better, I decided to do the job myself,” he said. 

When he takes office in January 2026, Tama will have a new kind of local leader, one who treats taxpayer money with the same integrity he brings to managing union funds, and who won’t bow to pressure from big corporations or political elites. 

“I’m bringing the SMART-TD mentality to City Hall,” Smith said. “If one of us doesn’t count, then none of us count. I’ll fight for my community the same way I fight for our members.” 

With a proven record of financial stewardship, political courage, and a deep respect for working people, Brother Chris Smith is poised to make sure that the City of Tama, Iowa remains in the hands of those who truly care about its people. 

Brother Smith’s success shows what can happen when SMART-TD members bring their values, work ethic, and sense of accountability into public service. If you’re a member interested in running for office, whether it’s local, state, or national, SMART-TD’s Safety and Legislative Department is ready to help. We have tools to assist with targeting and messaging in all types of races, just like the ones Chris used in his campaign. Every time one of our members steps into the political arena, our union’s voice grows stronger. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us and take that first step toward making a difference in your community.