J. Todd Smith
Republican | Ohio
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
J. Todd Smith
Party
Republican
Election Year
2018
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 43
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Cincinnati Christian University, Cincinnati, BS, 2006
WORK & MILITARY
US Post Office, PTF, 1986
Construction, Laborer, 2005-2012
Multiple churches, Youth/Associate Miniter, 1989-1995
Church at Famersville, Senior Pastor, 1997-2018
AFFILIATIONS
Farmersville Area Business Association, Member, National Rifle Association
Life Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Conservative Republican Leadership Committee
Family First PAC
OTHER INFORMATION
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
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
Any teaching to children on sex education in public schools must include all contraceptive methods, and should not show preference to abstinence.
Strongly Disagree
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
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
The state constitution should limit the growth of spending to the rate of population growth plus the rate of inflation.
Neutral
Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.
Neutral
People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Strongly Disagree
I support sanctuary cities.
Strongly Disagree
I support the death penalty.
Strongly Agree
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
Parents should be the primary authority in decisions affecting their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
2012 General Election, 2012 Republican Primary, 2014 General Election, 2016 General Election
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Only when there is a threat to the life of the mother, which is by all statistics, very rare. If I proposed a pro-life bill to abolish abortion, I would have no exceptions. If I were not able to pass the bill without including exceptions for rape/incest/life of mother, I would vote for that bill in order to save all the lives I could at that time and then continue to abolish the remaining exceptions.
What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?
Human history has proven that mankind is a fallen creature who is prone to greed, abuse of power and retaliation. Most of the Founding Fathers were also instructed on these concepts by the tenants of religion. Knowing that power and the rule of men can produce tyranny, they wisely created the separate branches of government so that no one could consolidate power to themselves.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Bible-believing, Conservative Christian and therefore believe in a God who is all-powerful, just yet merciful. All mankind are created in His image and is therefore to be treated with respect. I also believe there is right and wrong in the world. This belief system makes me value life and justice. In all things my faith guides my values.
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.
My voting record proves where I stand but I have also in 35 years of ministry been a vocal supporter of all things pro-life, limited government, fiscal stewardship, etc. My Facebook page and soon to be published web-page (www.jtoddsmith.org) will also contain policy statements that will further enumerate my positions and validate my conservative stand.
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
Being raised in a small business family, I understood the difficulty placed upon businesses by an expanding government. More and better jobs bring down unemployment. Jobs are destroyed by high taxes and burdensome regulation. The government must get out of the way of businesses so they can provide more jobs and a higher quality of job so that it incentivizes people to work and for some, to get off the public systems of welfare.
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
As in all things, the free market system works. I have been to 12 countries with every kind of government. No where are the poor better taken care of than in a free market society based on capitalistic principles. There needs to be an increase in competition by allowing the free market for health insurance purchases across state lines. I also favor Private Saving Accounts for individuals and a tax incentive to encourage people to participate and invest in taking charge of their own health concerns.
What role should government play in boosting the economy?
The only thing the government can do to boost the economy is to get out of the way of entrepreneurs and the free market and capitalism. They do this by reducing taxes, reducing regulation and demanding fair trade deals.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
Albert Einstein said, "Experience is knowledge, everything else is just information." I have worked with people in every stage of life for the past 30 years. I have traveled to 12 different countries and 40 states and seen every race of people in every social strata. Those are experiences that provide experience. In 35 years of preaching, I have fulfilled every role of leadership in the church. The past 21 years I have been senior pastor of The Church at Farmersville which is now a multi-campus church with another location near West Chester. Leading a growing church through transition, creating programs, heading committees, creating and sustaining budgets, etc. are all experiences that establish leadership skill. What Columbus needs is leadership not more politicians. I have completed a BS degree from Cincinnati Christian University and will graduate in May with my Master's degree.
E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:
JToddSmith@outlook.com, 937-681-2979
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I have been married for 24 years to my wife Jennifer and we have four kids whom we have raised in this district and community. We have lived a life of serving others and hope to bring that heart and desire to Columbus to represent the great people of this district. Just a few comments to clarify some of the above answers.... On questions 15 and 16...I think it could be problematic when dealing with fiscal concerns by amending the constitution. No one can foresee all future economic concerns and the things that must be done to confront and overcome certain obstacles. Amending the constitution may be an more unnecessarily drastic measure than just passing legislation that is needed at the moment and informed by the current realities of the economy. On question 23...I do believe our judicial system has become too lax but also am cautioned when putting too many mandates on the decision of judges who are present with all the facts On question 24...I can only access records back to 2012
