Fern Smith
Republican | Minnesota
Candidate Profile*
Conservative (Conditional)
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Fern Smith
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 51B
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Crown College, St. Bonafacious, MA, 2011
North Central University, Minneapolis, BS, 1994
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Assembly of God, Ordained Minister - 2012, Cedar Valley Church
Prayer Counselor, Altar Prayer Team, Cedar Valley Church, Life Group Leader, Intercessory Prayer Team
SD51, Executive Committee
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
None
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
None
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
CONSERVATIVE (1)
*Minnesota Gun Owners PAC
OTHER (2)
*Minnesotans for Affordable Health Insurance
Republican Party of Minnesota
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
None at present
OTHER INFORMATION
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?
I feel that abortion should not be allowed in almost every instance. If the life of the mother is a stake I can see that being a difficult choice but I believe every effort should be made to save the baby and the mother. There are others options to keeping a baby. Number one is adoption. There are so many people who cannot have children or would welcome another child into their family.
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?
I am not sure what I would reduce. This a question better answered when I am in office and have access to what is actually being spent. I would want to reduce any duplication of expenditures and any unnecessary spending.
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?
We should be able to practice the faith of our choice. It doesn't mean that we can't practice what we believe if we are in a state run institution such as schools, or workplace. We can run our businesses according to our faith held convictions and live out our every day lives without mandated religion from the government and live peaceably with all men.
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?
This is a question that I would need more time to assess. One thing would be to have transparency in the cost of services with no hidden or surprise bills. To have some kind of uniform cost for similar services so that your cost is not varying from hospital to hospital or health system to health system. To have full disclosure of the cost up front so the person can choose. Provision for low income persons to get health insurance at a reduced price, fees scales that help with affordability and possible subsidies.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Agree
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.
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.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I believe those who are seeking asylum and whose lives are threatened if they stay where they presently live should be allowed to immigrate. I believe if you come here in a legal manner and desire to be a U.S. citizen you should be allowed to come and go through the legal process of becoming a citizen and abide by all the same laws and regulations as other U.S. citizens.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Neutral
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 am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ who is God and Savior of the world. That He died for our sins and rose again and went to heaven and is to this day seated at the right hand of the Father. I believe the bible was inspired by God, the Holy Spirit and it is infallible and True. I believe in the Trinity God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. I believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and that healing and prophecy is for today. I am pro-life and I love people!
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?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
I am not sure what public information that would be. I attend church on a regular basis, am a single women with no children and no significant other. I am an ordained minister. I teach a bible study where I live and try to help my neighbors as much as I can. I always vote for issues that I believe are in step with my Christian beliefs and I support organizations that are Pro Life.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I am a concerned citizen. I have always been involved in politics at the grass roots level, attending caucuses, being a delegate, serving as an election judge and was formally on the Executive Committee in the District where I live. I have a degree in Intercultural leadership, been a leader in my church and am a former business owner. I feel I have always been a champion for others around me and work to make things better for them. As a legislator, I would be able to use my compassion, conviction and common sense to work for a better life for everyone. My life experiences as an African American woman, a person with physical limitations and someone who can relate to the elderly will be an asset to representing the citizens in House District 51B in Eagan.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I am dedicated to serving the people in my community and work together with everyone to come to a better solution for everyone.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
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?
No Answer
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I believe we have the right to bear arms as long as we abide by the laws that are already in place for gun ownership.
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?
At this point I would like to see some change in regard to school choice with less oversight by the government and more involvement for parents. More accessible healthcare and affordable health insurance.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
I believe there is a problem with racism but I also believe that we can come together and work to remove barriers that cause distrust and unfair treatment. Racism if it is allowed to persist will be a threat to domestic security. There is a need for change but not to the extinct of removing existing institutions such as police. Instead we need to acknowledge what is working, support the families, men and women who are serving with integrity and find what needs to change and act accordingly. Some will need more change than others so there is no "one size fits all plan." We must learn from our past, not eliminate it, thus forgetting how we got to the place where we are and run the danger of repeating past serious mistakes.
