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Tori Smith
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Tori Smith currently serves as a judge in Hamilton County General Sessions Court, Division II 25. She was appointed to the bench by the Hamilton County Commission in August 2024, filling the vacancy created when Judge Alex McVeagh moved to Circuit Court 24. Smith was sworn into office on September 9, 2024 35.
Smith announced her candidacy for a full term in the August 2026 special election for General Sessions judge 4. In her campaign announcement, she pledged to continue serving the community with fairness, humility, and respect 4. Her campaign states that since her appointment, she has presided with a commitment to ensuring that all who enter her courtroom are treated with dignity 4.
Background and education
Tori Smith’s interest in the legal profession began in childhood after watching an episode of Saved by the Bell featuring a character named Jessie Spano who was a judge 1. She recalls telling her third-grade teacher about this professional aspiration at the time 1.
Specific details regarding her birthplace, year of birth, upbringing, religion, or formal education are not provided in the available sources.
Career
Tori Smith’s interest in the legal profession began in childhood after watching an episode of Saved by the Bell featuring a judge character, which inspired her to share her professional aspirations with a third-grade teacher 1. She later served as a team leader for the Hamilton County Public Defender's Office in General Sessions Court prior to her appointment to the bench 23.
Smith co-founded the non-profit organization Honoring the Sacrifice with her husband, Andrew Smith, after he was injured while serving in Iraq 3.
Office history
Tori Smith served as a team leader for the Hamilton County Public Defender's Office in General Sessions Court prior to her judicial appointment 2. She also co-founded the non-profit Honoring the Sacrifice with her husband, Andrew Smith, after he was injured in Iraq 3.
In 2024, the Hamilton County Commission appointed Smith to fill the vacancy on the General Sessions Court for Division II, which had been created when Judge Alex McVeagh moved to Circuit Court 24. The commission selected her with six votes during the second round of balloting 2. She was sworn in by Judge Gary Starnes and began serving on September 10, 2024 35.
Smith announced her candidacy for a special election to retain the Division II seat in August 2026 4.
Family
Judge Smith is married to Andrew Smith 3. The couple established the non-profit Honoring the Sacrifice after Mr. Smith was injured in Iraq 3.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
Tennessee — Hamilton County campaign finance (Sessions Court Judge, Div. 2)
- 1st Qtr 2026 — filed 04/10/26
- 2025 Year-End Supplemental — filed 02/02/26
- Appt of Treasurer 2026 — filed 08/29/25
Tennessee — campaign finance (search)
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State offices (Governor, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee, statewide judiciary) —
Tennessee Registry of Election Finance.
Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Smith”, and submit.
US House, US Senate, and Presidential candidates file with the FEC — see the federal section below.
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Smith”and, if needed, select the applicable position.