Steve Smith
Republican | Arizona
Candidate Profile
Verified Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Steve Smith
Party
Republican
Election Year
2018
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep., Dist. 1
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, BA
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Church of Celebration, Youth Mentor/Volunteer, The Streets Don't Love You Back
Fundraiser/Organizer
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Senator, 5 1/2
State Representative, 2
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (4)
Family Research Council Action
Joe Arpaio
Tea Party Express
Senator Ted Cruz
OTHER (1)
National Border Patrol Council
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)
Senator Ted Cruz
Trump COO Jeff DeWit
Congressman Jim Jordan
Congressman Andy Biggs
National Border Patrol Council
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Club for Growth
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Karen Fann
QUESTIONNAIRE
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Strongly Agree
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Strongly Agree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
Additional regulations are needed to prevent climate change.
Strongly Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
The United States should help defend Israel from attack by its enemies.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.
Strongly Disagree
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Strongly Agree
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Strongly Disagree
I support sanctuary cities.
Strongly Disagree
It is OK for Congress to exempt itself from compliance with laws applicable to all citizens.
Strongly Disagree
I support the death penalty.
Strongly Agree
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
The United States should protect its sovereignty from the United Nations.
Strongly Agree
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2010 General Election, 2010 Republican Primary, 2012 General Election, 2012 Republican Primary, 2014 General Election, 2014 Republican Primary, 2016 General Election, 2016 Republican Primary
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I pro-life now and pro-life forever. I strongly oppose abortion.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of radical Islamic terrorism?
With the ISIS ‘caliphate’ in shambles and very nearly destroyed, we must resolve to finish our mission in Syria. Although the President and his Administration have worked steadfastly to destroy the transnational threat of ISIS, we must continue to partner with our allies and utilize the full resources of our coalition in the effort to eradicate the globe of radical Islamic terrorism. Iran remains the biggest state sponsor of terrorism in the world and supports terrorist groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Ayatollah is unapologetically anti-American and intent on wiping the national of Israel off of the face of the map. The biggest threat to Israel is Iran’s continued uranium enrichment programs and ability to develop a nuclear weapon. We simply cannot allow this to happen. I applaud President Trump for pulling out of the irresponsible and dangerous Iran nuclear deal. We must continue to closely monitor Iran’s activity in the region.
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
The Founders created a system whereby power would be not centralized into one entity, but shared among three coequal branches of government that would ultimately check and balance each other. In essence, the Founders believed that overly strong governments generally turned oppressive over time. Without Constitutional safeguards, America's Founders fundamentally believed that the land was at risk of being subject to a homegrown future tyrant embracing a model of out-of-control big government.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I'm a Christian first, Conservative second, and a Republican third.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
*Ranked #1 in the Arizona Legislature by the Goldwater Institute and was awarded their "Certificate of Recognition" for my leadership in expanding freedom in Arizona. *Ranked the highest in Arizona by the American Conservative Union. *Named 'Champion of the Taxpayer' by Americans for Prosperity for my legislative record on fiscal responsibility and government transparency. *A+ rated by the NRA for my 100% voting record on 2nd Amendment rights. *Named 'Guardian of Small Business' by the National Federation of Independent Businesses. *Named 'Friend of the Family' by the Center for Arizona Policy for my 100% record in favor of protecting life, family values, and religious liberty. *Awarded the Copper Shield Award for my advocacy on behalf of veterans and their families. *Endorsed by the National Border Patrol Council and FreedomWorks.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Obamacare has resulted in skyrocketing health insurance premiums and has given way to people losing their jobs or being relegated to part-time work. It has taken the “personal” component from the patient-doctor relationship and severely limited the overall supply of health care options available to consumers. I applaud this Congress for working to remove the crippling effects of the individual mandate; however, more work remains to be done. We need a full repeal of Obamacare. Congress must pass meaningful health care reform to expand Health Savings accounts, allow people to purchase insurance across state lines, and therefore, create a system that is more affordable and accessible.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
While government does not create jobs, government can help create an environment for job creation and economic growth. Arizona is now one of America’s most successful states when it comes to job creation in large part to the tax-cutting and deregulatory policies that I’ve championed in the Legislature.
What changes should be made to the tax code?
The tax relief bill signed into law by President Trump was a huge step in the right direction in bringing back manufacturing jobs to our country and putting more money into the pockets of working men and women, and I’d prefer to have seen it go a step further in a) making the individual tax cuts permanent and b) a full elimination of the death tax. I support abolishing the massive bureaucracy of the IRS. In addition, I believe that making our tax code flatter and fairer would be a winning recipe for job growth, higher wages, and long-term stability. For my efforts, I’ve been named ‘Champion of the Taxpayer’ by Americans for Prosperity, which is their highest designation.
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
The best way to create more jobs is by getting the federal government out of the way of innovation, entrepreneurship, and small business development and growth. How do we do that? We need to focus our efforts on eliminating job-killing taxes and over-burdensome federal regulations. I fundamentally believe in the Jeffersonian principle that government governs best which governs least. In addition, I strongly support drug-testing for unemployment recipients and believe that a person should be removed from unemployment if they decline an offer of employment. We need to ensure that skill sets and human capital are up to par in an ever-changing market, and furthermore, need to reemphasize the importance of encouraging our bright, young minds to consider enrolling in trade schools as a viable alternative to the traditional, 4-year model. We have an abundance of untapped potential in this country, and its time that we advance polices that have proven to put people back to work.
How would you guarantee Social Security benefits for future generations?
As it stands now, Social Security is on an unsustainable path with rising health care costs and an increasingly aging society. A strong majority of the current federal budget belongs to age-eligible federal programs. We must face the hard truth that adjustments will have to be made in the years to come. This includes possible means testing for future generations and raising the age of eligibility while still honoring the commitments we made to those who are rapidly approaching retirement in the near future. It also includes changing the rate of increase in benefits so that it matches inflation. We should also allow young people to keep a portion of their taxes in a self-controlled personal account to be passed along to their children in the future if they so choose.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I've served 7 1/2 years in the State Legislature (5 1/2 in the State Senate and 2 in the House). My candidacy is endorsed by Senator Ted Cruz, Congressman Andy Biggs, Jeff DeWit (former Trump campaign COO), the National Border Patrol Council, FreedomWorks for America, and Congresswoman Debbie Lesko. I'm ranked the #1 conservative legislator in the state of Arizona on every voting scorecard you can imagine. I'm a battle-tested Constitutional conservative who has proven over and over again to get things done for the people of my district. I helped turn Arizona's 1 billion dollar deficit into a budget surplus. I authored the bill to build our border fence before it was popular to build border fences. I've championed rural water/property rights for several years while serving in the Arizona Legislature. It's not what I've said... it's what I've done. The time is now to elect a PROVEN conservative.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
steve@stevesmithaz.com
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I'm married to my incredible wife, Jamie, and we have five beautiful children aged 2-10. Truth be told, it would be my privilege to represent you in Congress. I've got a strong work ethic, I'm a man of character of integrity, and I fundamentally believe that I have the direct experience and skill set necessary to make a meaningful difference for the people of Arizona's 1st Congressional District. My #1 ranked record in the State Legislature shows that I'm someone of principled conviction and backbone. If given the opportunity, I'd make you tremendously proud as your Congressman.
