RasTafari I. "Ras" Smith (born December 29, 1987) is an American politician from Iowa. He served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 2017 to 2023, as a legislator from District 62.

RasTafari Smith was named for the royal title and given name of Haile Selassie.^[1] The name was selected by his mother, Belinda Creighton-Smith, a pastor.^[1] Smith's father L. C. is a retired factory worker for John Deere.^[2][3] His brothers include Rameses and Myron.^[1] Smith is married to Amelia, an educator, with whom he has two children.^[1]

Smith was raised in northeast Waterloo, Iowa, and attended Northern University High School in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He enrolled at Wartburg College and Iowa State University before completing a bachelor's degree in exercise science at the University of Northern Iowa. Smith then worked as the strength and conditioning coach at Waterloo East High School and volunteered as a member of the high school's American football coaching staff. He left East High to work at a Target Corporation distribution center, then joined Four Oaks, a special education program, as a counselor and later, shift leader. During his time at Four Oaks, Smith worked toward a master's degree in leisure, youth and human services from the University of Northern Iowa. After completing his master's degree, Smith began working for Communities In Schools.^[2]

Smith is a Baptist.^[3]

After Deborah Berry announced her retirement, her seat in District 62 was left open.^[3] Smith contested that seat in 2016 as a Democratic Party candidate,^[3] defeating Republican Party candidate Todd Obadal and political independent John Patterson.^[4][5] Smith was reelected in 2018 and 2020, both times uncontested.^[6]

On June 15, 2021, Smith announced that he would run for governor of Iowa in 2022.^[7][8] He suspended his campaign in January 2022, citing lack of funds.^[9] A month later, Smith stated that he would not be running for reelection to the state legislature.^[6] As a result of redistricting prior to the 2022 state legislative elections, Smith's residence was placed in House District 61, a seat held by Timi Brown-Powers.^[10] In April 2022, Smith joined Michael T. Franken's United States Senate campaign.^[11]