Steven Earl Smith; Lawyer Ran Democrats’ Campaigns

Steven Earl Smith, who served as Southern California manager in the presidential campaigns of Lyndon Johnson in 1964 and Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, has died at 61.

Smith, a native of Torrance and a graduate of Cal State L.A. and Whittier Law School, died Sunday at his home in Sherman Oaks after a lengthy illness.

Beginning his political career as Southern California chairman of the California Federation of Young Democrats in 1958, Smith was named the first administrative officer of the state Assembly in 1961 by its then-speaker, Jesse M. Unruh.

Smith ran unsuccessfully for the Los Angeles City Council in 1970.

Serving as executive director of the California Commission for Economic Development from 1973 to 1978, he took time out in 1974 to manage Mervyn Dymally’s successful campaign for lieutenant governor.

Smith passed the California bar in 1977 and practiced law in Los Angeles for 20 years, serving for more than a decade as a federal bankruptcy trustee.

Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Helena Robinson Smith; two daughters, Catherine and Jennifer; and two sons, Steven Jr. and James.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at noon at the Wee Kirk of the Heather, Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale. The family requests that any memorial donations be made to the Los Angeles County Bar Assn.’s Public Counsel/Pro Bono Project.