Thomas MacMillan File Photo
Smith.
Matt Smith stepped down from his aldermanic seat on Friday to start a new job on Monday — as a mayoral staffer.
Smith is taking over the position of legislative aide and policy analyst for the mayor, acting as the administration’s liaison with the Board of Aldermen. It’s the post recently vacated by Elizabeth Benton, who moved on to be the mayor’s spokesperson after Adam Joseph took a job at the Capitol working for the state Senate Democrats.
Smith, who’s 37, has been self-employed as a freelance graphic designer. His new position will carry a salary of $53,000.
“I’m excited to continue to have the opportunity to serve the city I love, in a different capacity,” Smith said Saturday evening.
Smith, who recently lost a bid for re-election to Jessica Holmes, was less than a month away from closing out his freshman term.
“The political side of it didn’t work out for me,” he said. His new position will be an “opportunity to continue to use everything I’ve learned over the last two years,” Smith said.
He said he approached the administration when he learned of Benton’s job change, and let the chief of staff know he would be interested in the job.
Smith said he expects the mayor will appoint Holmes to serve out the rest of his term.