The Honorable Ismail “Izzy” Smith-Wade-El, PA State Representative, District 49
Born and raised in Lancaster, Ismail Smith-Wade-El graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with degrees in Anthropology & Theatre. Prior to his election to the PA House of Representatives, Rep. Smith-Wade-El served on Lancaster City Council for five years, serving as President of Council for the last two.
Passionate about issues of housing access and affordability, Izzy has worked in the nonprofit anti-poverty sector for almost a decade, most recently as a specialist for the Lancaster County Homelessness Coalition.
In his short time in the House, Rep. Smith-Wade-El has organized with other legislators to turn his community’s shared values into reality, such as passing the Fairness Act out of the PA House, and continues to fight for racial justice, workers’ rights, and a fully-funded education for every student in the Commonwealth.
In their personal life, Izzy loves cycling, and considers themselves an amateur student of the Civil Rights Movement, American poetry, and Catholic theology.