Smyre was born in Columbus, Georgia as one of three children to Carter Smyre Jr. and Mildred Rudine Smyre (née Bass).[3] His father, Carter Smyre Jr. (1926-2024), was a native of Griffin, Georgia and career officer of the U.S. Army who owned a realty company and was appointed by Governor Joe Frank Harris to the Georgia Residential Financial Authority.[4] Calvin Smyre earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Fort Valley State University with a focus in business administration.
Governor Joe Frank Harris appointed Smyre assistant floor leader in the 1983 legislative session and, in 1986, appointed him floor leader for the 1987 session, making him the first African American leader of the House since Reconstruction.[6][7] In 1998, he was elected the first African American Chairman of the Democratic Party's state legislative caucus;[8] and, in 2001, Smyre was appointed Chairman of the state Democratic Party.[5] In 2006, he was elected President of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators.[9] Smyre is known for helping Democrats and Republicans negotiate, acting as a liaison.[1]
Smyre also worked as executive vice president of corporate external affairs at Synovus and president of the Synovus Foundation.
Biden administration
On September 22, 2021, President Joe Biden announced that he would nominate Smyre to serve as the United States ambassador to the Dominican Republic.[10] On October 4, 2021, his nomination was sent to the Senate.[11] On May 17, 2022, his nomination was withdrawn, and he was nominated to serve as the ambassador to the Bahamas.[12]
On May 13, 2022, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Smyre to serve as the next United States ambassador to the Bahamas.[13] On May 17, 2022, his nomination was sent to the Senate.[12] His nomination was not acted on for the remainder of the Congress and was sent back to Biden on January 3, 2023.[14]
