معرفی
Bradley A. Smith is the Josiah H. Blackmore II/Shirley M. Nault Professor of Law at Capital University Law School, where he has been a faculty member since 1993. He is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading authorities on election law and campaign finance, and co-author of "Voting Rights and Election Law," a leading casebook in the field. Professor Smith previously served as Chairman of the Federal Election Commission (2004) after being appointed by President Clinton to fill a Republican-designated seat in 2000, where he served until 2005. He has held visiting positions including the Visiting Judge John T. Copenhaver Chair of Law at West Virginia University (2013-15) and a James Madison Fellowship at Princeton University (2018-19), and has also taught at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University.
Professor Smith received his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School and his B.A., cum laude, from Kalamazoo College. He also holds an honorary doctorate from Augustana College.
Professor Smith's research focuses primarily on election law, campaign finance, and the First Amendment. His influential 2001 book, "Unfree Speech: The Folly of Campaign Finance Reform," was praised by columnist George Will as "the year's most important book on governance." His scholarly work consistently argues against campaign finance restrictions on First Amendment grounds, examining how such regulations impact political speech, electoral competition, and democratic participation. He has been particularly influential in shaping legal and scholarly debates around campaign finance reform, consistently advocating for a more permissive regulatory environment that prioritizes free speech protections while addressing legitimate concerns about corruption and equality in the political process.
His scholarly output over the past two decades reveals a consistent focus on campaign finance regulation, election law, and constitutional interpretation, particularly regarding the First Amendment. Smith's work has evolved to address new legal developments like the Citizens United decision while maintaining his core arguments about the relationship between money, speech, and democracy. His publications span traditional law reviews, interdisciplinary journals, and popular media outlets, demonstrating his ability to engage both academic and public audiences on complex legal issues. The trajectory of his scholarship shows increasing engagement with judicial elections, electoral college reform, and the administrative challenges of campaign finance enforcement.
- Bradley Prize from the Bradley Foundation of Milwaukee, Wisconsin (2010) - awarded annually "to recognize individuals of extraordinary talent and dedication who have made contributions of excellence defending the institutions of free, representative government and private enterprise."
Professor Smith has been an active participant in public discourse on election law, appearing as a guest on major TV networks including The O'Reilly Factor, Hardball with Chris Matthews, and Hannity & Colmes. His scholarly work has been published in top law journals including the Yale Law Journal, University of Pennsylvania Law Review, Georgetown Law Journal, and Harvard Law Journals. He has also contributed to popular publications like the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Washington Post. While the text doesn't specify grant funding or advisees, his extensive publication record and national recognition suggest significant scholarly impact in his field, with his work frequently cited in legal arguments and judicial opinions concerning campaign finance regulation.
Though not explicitly mentioned in the provided text, Professor Smith's work with the Federal Election Commission and his numerous amicus brief submissions indicate deep engagement with practical election administration and constitutional litigation. His expertise has clearly positioned him as a leading voice in election law scholarship and policy debates, with his views often representing a libertarian perspective on the relationship between money, speech, and democracy.
