'From marble halls of Annapolis to Afghanistan,' Md. state senator returns with new power

SILVER SPRING, Md. (WJLA) — He is a rising star in Annapolis politics as the new chairman of a powerful committee.

But Will Smith's public service extends far beyond the state capital.

When we last saw State Senator Will Smith (D-Montgomery County) nearly a year ago, the Navy reservist was preparing to deploy to Afghanistan before the end of the 2019 Maryland Legislative session.

He was gone for nearly 7 months, finally returning at the end of October with stories to tell.

Lt. Smith was assigned to the intelligence center in Kabul. He says he never felt in danger, but it was all around him.

“In Kabul we had several IEDs, suicide vests close by, about 800 yards. Just about every day we’d hear a boom of some sort, but not in immediate danger, thank god.”

Smith, who represents the Silver Spring area, says near nightly face time sessions with his wife and young daughter kept him connected to home.

But he has returned to a changed Annapolis with new leadership in both houses. And for him, a far more powerful role as chair of the Judicial Proceedings Committee.

“To go from the marble halls of Annapolis to Afghanistan was a shock, but it was really instructive. Close to 3 million Americans have served in Afghanistan and I thought it was really important to do my part and see for myself.”

Smith says his biggest lesson may have been just how precious is our own democracy.