Jefferson R. Smith, born in Lawrence, graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and holds a master’s in public administration as well as a master’s in political science from Suffolk University.

He worked in Gov. Deval Patrick’s administration for nearly five years on reforming the state Department of Transportation, writing reforms that included the first-in-the-nation Healthy Transportation Compact focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing bicycle and pedestrian travel and improving public health. He was the agency’s designated commissioner on the Jobs Creation Committee, a Cambridge-led innovation to create and maintain quality jobs in the state.

A Cambridge resident for more than a decade, Smith has been chairman of the Democratic City Committee and helped organize to help elect Patrick, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Senator-Elect Ed Markey. He lives in Inman Square with his girlfriend Anna.

He is a member of the board of directors of MassRecycle, a statewide nonprofit coalition, and an adjunct faculty member at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, where he teaches public policy.

Compiled from the candidate’s words in publicly available sources

Smith on the issues

From Cambridge Community Television

Inclusionary housing:

City governance: