Forrest Smith was born in 1886 in Ray County, Missouri, and attended Woodson Institute in Richmond, Missouri. He began his career in public service as a deputy assessor for Ray County and later served as county clerk for eight years. Smith spent several years on the Missouri state tax commission and was elected state auditor, a role he held for sixteen years. His tenure as governor of Missouri from 1948 to 1953 was marked by alleged connections to organized crime, which influenced both his election and political standing. Following his retirement from public life in 1953, he passed away in 1962.

Forrest Smith's political career is marked by a strategic blend of populist economic policies and controversial alliances. His emphasis on ensuring timely delivery of public pensions suggests a pragmatic yet populist approach to governance. However, his alleged ties to organized crime introduce an element of calculated risk-taking, revealing a complex interplay between personal gain and public service. Smith's rhetoric likely balances appeals to traditional values with a willingness to navigate morally ambiguous waters, raising questions about the true nature of his ideological commitments.