Political Editor since 2001, Adam Smith was named the best political writer in Florida by washingtonpost.com and one of the country's top 10 political reporters by Columbia Journalism Review. He focuses on state and national politics.

Smith has been with the Times since 1992 and has covered local and state government, as well as general assignment and investigative beats. He appears most Sundays on "Political Connections" on Bay News 9, is a primary contributor to The Buzz political blog. Smith grew up in New York City, graduated Kenyon College in Ohio, and when he's not chasing politicians tries to keep up with his wife, three kids and basset hound.

Phone: (727) 893-8241

E-mail: asmith@tampabay.com

Blog: The Buzz