Robert Smith

No Party Preference | California

Candidate Profile

Leans Conservative

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Robert Smith


Party

No Party Preference


Election Year

2024


Election

Primary


Race

U.S. Rep., Dist. 3


Incumbent

No


Links

Robert Smith websites
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EDUCATION

Chapman University, Orange, BA Organizational Leadership, 2013

University of Potomac, Washington D.C., Advanced Certificate Government Contract Management, 2016

Project Management Institute, Sacramento, Project Management Professional (PMP), 2017

WORK & MILITARY

United States Army (Active Duty), E7 - Sergeant First Class, 11

U.S. Department of State, (Third Party Contractor within DSS WPS Programs), Director Operational Programs, 14

AFFILIATIONS

Veterans of Foreign Wars, Member, Project Management Institute

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Candidate did not provide

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

Candidate did not provide

Race

OTHER INFORMATION

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Agree

I support government funding for the use of alternative medical procedures, like birth control, STD screenings and elective abortions based on risk to health, life and safety of a woman. .

Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.

Strongly Agree

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

Elective abortions should be considered if the woman's health is at risk, there are issues with criminal circumstances such as rape and incest, or there are other exigent circumstances that are detrimental to the health, life and safety of the woman.

Does the federal government have a role to play in limiting abortion, and if so what federal steps and/or federal legislation would you support?

I believe in a limited federal government role. Abortion is a state issue, not a federal issue.


ECONOMY

What actions would you take that would allow Americans to retain more of their income and wealth?

Scrutinize and support less government spending, reduction & cuts in taxes, support free market economy policies while dismantling corporatism and elitist influence, increasing U.S. energy to include oil outputs, supporting supply chain improvement.

Student loan forgiveness unfairly shifts the financial burden to those not responsible for student debt.

Strongly Agree

Government student loans should not be given to support any particular major. Government loans should be provided only to STEM focused degree plans and majors.

Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?

No

ESG allocates based on political agendas and biases, rather then actual performance. Ratings vary widely amongst the different ESG providers. ESG should not be used to decide where to invest public monies.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

That the federal government and religious institutions should be kept separate. The Establishment Clause of the 1st Amendment keeps the government from establishing or supporting a specific religion.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Neutral

I support an individuals right to their religious beliefs, I might not agree with those beliefs, but if those beliefs rightly place undue hardship or violation of established religious tenets then I do not think the person should be forced to provide services.


HEALTHCARE

Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?

Vaccines should be required, but all vaccines should go through a series of trials, developmental testing & studies prior to implementation. I do support people who have adverse legit medical reactions that prohibit their use.

What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.

I believe that Healthcare is vital and important to all Americans. The cost of healthcare is astronomical in many cases, premiums are significant. My views align more with (B) - Healthcare Insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. The United States can do better regarding healthcare.


NATIONAL SECURITY

With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.

My view on national security aligns with (C) - The United States has become too involved in others policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. I do not support Neo-Con unilateralism, countless proxy wars, endless sacrificing of our sons, daughters and tax payer monies to support conflicts with no clear mission or benefit to the American citizen.

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Strongly Agree

The Chinese government has been positioning themselves globally through the years. Their efforts at government and economic espionage directed toward the United States has been significant, as they attempt to surpass the United States economically, militarily, and through expanded foreign policy efforts.

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

Yes, to an extent. As it is the only legitimate democracy in West Asia / Middle East.

What are the causes of decline in U.S. military recruitment and retention?

As a medically retired U.S. Army Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, I see the decline in recruitment due to the decisions leading up to the withdrawal of Afghanistan and politicization of our military force. The United States military should not be used for societal social experiments, but maintain a strict culture of a disciplined, capable, and lethal military force that can quickly dominate the battlefield.


IMMIGRATION

The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.

Strongly Agree

Illegal immigration needs to cease, and the strengthening of our boarder needs to be an immediate priority. We must stem the drugs, human trafficking, child sex trafficking, and the numerous other threats an open border policy involves. We have to categorize the cartels operating with impunity at our border as what they are, terrorist organizations.

Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?

I support legal immigration fully and believe that there needs to be a better less lengthy bureaucratic process to support legal immigration, especially for U.S. Citizen's sponsoring their family members. The United States is still the "City on the Hill" for many, and immigration is central to who we are as a nation. E pluribus unum, out of many one.


EDUCATION

I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.

Strongly Agree

I support education and believe that parents should have the ability of school choice for their children. School districts should be held to account if their administrators and teachers are failing their students.

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Agree


VALUES

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Neutral

Just as I support small businesses refusing services based on legit religious practices. I support adult individuals to happily live their personal private lives as they choose.

Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.

Strongly Agree

Children should always be protected, especially regarding aspects that could have detrimental consequences to their future they as children do not understand yet.

Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.

Strongly Disagree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I do have faith, and that faith is grounded in common principles of moral goodness. This is my foundation, but much of my values also stem from service to our country. In the U.S. Army I was taught and lived the values of loyalty, courage, respect, duty, honor, and selflessness. I love the United States, our Republic and our people.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

Voting is a truly one of the most important things a citizen can do, and their vote can have impacts on outcomes from local to national levels. ID is required for many aspects of Americans lives, and it should be required for one of the most important actions an American can do, which us vote.

The Electoral College should be abolished.

Strongly Disagree

We are a Constitutional Republic and a country made up of people from different regions, cultures, and backgrounds. So, the principles of federalism are vital to our republic.


EQUALITY

I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.

Strongly Disagree

I do not believe that there is institutional racism in the United States. Although the United States has had periods of failure to live up to its values, we do have a history of success in making things right and moving together to form a more perfect union.

Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.

Strongly Agree

We are doing a grave disservice to women in allowing biological males into their spaces. Adults are free to be who they want to be, and live their lives as they choose. But, not at the expense of others.


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.

Disagree

I do not believe that climate change is as urgent an issue as has been laid out for decades. I support taking care of our environment, and the responsibilities involved to ensure our posterity benefit from the beauty & resources of our country. But, not to the extent where we create needless short term bureaucracy limiting our progress and impacting everyday Americans lives economically.

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

All energy resources should be used, from drilling and fracking for oil, to natural gas, solar and wind, and supporting initiatives to ensure energy sustainability that is affordable.


ABOUT YOU

When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?

Lean Conservative

I am a center right moderate, my beliefs and views are established in supporting and defending our Constitutional Republic.

What do you think is the general purpose of government?

I believe in the purpose of government as written in our Constitution, "to establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity."

Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.

No.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.

No.


JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY

The Supreme Court should be reformed to include more seats.

Strongly Disagree

I do not agree with Supreme Court reformations or increasing seats. This could lead to political interference within an impendent branch of government.


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.

Disagree

I fully support Law Enforcement, and they should be provided with the tools and resources that focus on positive outcomes within their communities. I do not believe in the militarization of our police officers patrolling our communities, except for specific high-risk sections like, SWAT and SRT for very limited and focused high-risk roles. Law Enforcement should be provided more resources for training given their roles in supporting the communities they serve, including community initiatives.


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

I am a supporter of the 2nd Amendment and the citizenry's right to bear arms shall not be infringed. As a gun-owner myself, I do believe that gun owners should be properly trained, responsible and safe citizens. I do support criminal background checks.

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