INDIANAPOLIS — Hunter Smith, a former Indianapolis Colts punter who now operates a farm in Zionsville, has announced he is running for a seat in the Indiana Statehouse.
Smith announced his candidacy for State Representative in District 24 on Wednesday, Dec. 6.
"My conviction is to offer principled, constituent-centered public service and leadership. My allegiances are to God, my family, my friends, my country, and my constituents – specifically, those who may elect me in the district I will represent,” Smith said in a news release.
Smith, a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, has lived in Indiana since 1995. He and his wife, Jen, operate WonderTree Farm. They have four children.
Smith played in the NFL for 12 seasons, 10 of which were with the Colts.
Indiana's Democratic Party chair Mike Schmuhl responded to Smith's announcement by calling Smith's views "extremist" and said, "Hoosiers do not want to elect another Mike Pence-style extremist Republican, someone who will ban books and vote to take away Hoosiers’ freedoms. Hoosiers want someone who will vote for a better Indiana for everyone, not just the select few. Hunter Smith’s history of support for hate groups like the Indiana Family Institute make it clear that if elected, his focus would be on pushing extreme views, not on working for Hoosiers."
Attorney Josh Lowry had previously announced his candidacy for the District 24 seat.
