Eric L. Smith
Republican | Kansas
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Eric L. Smith
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 76
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
Community College of the Air Force, Whiteman AFB, MO, 1991
Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, Hutchinson, KS, Full time certification, 1996
WORK & MILITARY
U.S. Air Force, E-4, 4
Coffey County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Sheriff, 15
Burlington Police Department, Patrol Officer, 2.5
Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Station, Armed Response Officer IV, 7
AFFILIATIONS
Burlington First Assembly of God, Board Member, Hebron and Neosho Masonic Lodges
Member, Lions Club, Member
National Rifle Association, Member, Ducks Unlimited
Member, Kansas Sheriff's Association, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
State Representative, 4
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (3)
*Family Policy Alliance of Kansas
Kansans for Life PAC
*National Rifle Association (NRA) PVF
OTHER (4)
*Kansas Chamber PAC
*Kansas Farm Bureau
*Kansas Livestock Association PAC
*Wichita Regional Chamber PAC
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
When the life of the mother is in direct and imminent danger and lifesaving measures will likely interfere with the safety of the infant (i.e. chemotherapy/radiation, traumatic injury or medical intervention might endanger the life of the unborn child.)
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
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
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
It means that the state and federal government are prohibited from 1)creating a 'state religion' or 2)prohibiting anyone from openly practicing their religious beliefs. It was never intended to restrict religious words or practices from tax payer funded institutions or schools. Our forefathers included the Holy Bible as a part of reading requirements in public schools, for instance. Benjamin Franklin chastised the constitutional convention for not turning to prayer earlier in the session just as they had done for the revolutionary war, and after days of prayer, the convention was able to come up with a solution. I say again...DAYS OF PRAYER, not 3 minutes.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
Health care costs are the issue. Instead, the Affordable Care Act had nothing to do with making healthcare 'affordable' and everything to do with destroying a free market insurance system to set up the single-payer system, causing health insurance to require subsidies to stay afloat while the system began pulling funding from taxpayers to pay insurance for those who could not afford it. One approach that could be instituted would be a focus on enabling federally qualified health care facilities to service more individuals by subsidizing essential health services and helping more individuals to enter the healthcare professions, including nursing, dentistry, and other needed professionals in healthcare to increase the availability of services. This would be far less costly than the insurance.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Earmarks, the Affordable Care Act/Medicaid Expansion.
IMMIGRATION
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
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Immigration must be controlled and the system should be reformed to reduce the bureaucracy that hinders the immigration of many individuals, costing thousands of dollars for people who have very little to begin with, at times. The truth is that our nation cannot afford to let everyone in that want in. Illegally entering the country should not give you an advantage over those who are following the rules.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Restricting the gun laws affect those who obey gun laws and do nothing to control those who break the law. Telling the public that you intend to control violence by telling a criminal that they are committing a misdemeanor while they intend to commit a heinous felony defies logic.
iVoterGuide Notes:
Candidate received an A rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund KS in 2020. https://www.nrapvf.org/grades/kansas/
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Strongly Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1.)Value Them Both Amendment to the Kansas Constitution. 2.)Call to a convention of States to amend the U.S. Constitution regarding a federal balanced budget, term limits for congress, and federal overreach. 3.)All efforts to bring business and families to Kansas, including tax incentives.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
The opportunists on both sides of this issue are making this issue much more dangerous than it would otherwise be. Immediately, some will take that to mean that I don't believe racism is a problem because that's the easy argument to make. The more complex problem is the issue of equality versus superiority. True equality will require a willingness to come together for communication and a message of unity on the issue; not demands for submission or the removal of police.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
ABOUT YOU
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?
Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I have received high ratings from the American Conservative Union for the 4 years I have served in office, with a 91% conservative rating in 2020. My voting record is available on the legislative website.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I am the only current legislator who is also a full time law enforcement officer in the Kansas Legislature. Additionally, I have served 4 years in this capacity, serving on three standing committees (one as Vice Chair) and I have served as the Chair and Vice Chair for an interim committee.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
I have not been convicted of a felony or penalized for sexual misconduct.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I believe that one can hold a strong position as a conservative and still be available for conversation and debate with those who disagree, ideologically. You don't need to 'hate' to disagree, despite what many propose. It is my belief that we are only going to accomplish what we can get buy-in for. When we make ultimatums, we build walls. And finally, I believe this nation needs more prayer warriors. Raise them up.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross, that He was resurrected, and that He is the only way to the Father. I further believe that His sacrifice gave us the opportunity for salvation and that the Bible is the Word of God, breathed by God who inspired the human authors.
