Background: A professional financial planner. Former president of the Cincinnati NAACP. Holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from Ohio State University and a Master of Arts in counseling from Bowling Green State University. Elected as an independent. Endorsed by the Green Party.
On the issues: Smitherman said he supports John Cranley for re-election as mayor and likes chairing the Law and Safety Committee. But he said that if Cranley is re-elected, he will fill whatever role Cranley gives him, but would like to chair the Budget and Finance Committee. He said there is a great need for expanding the public transportation system, specifically buses. More routes are needed to take people to and from jobs. "People who live in the city and work at the Cheesecake Factory in Kenwood shouldn't have a 90-minute bus ride to work and a 90-minute ride back home."