Bob Smith

Republican | California

Candidate Profile

Moderate

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Bob Smith


Party

Republican


Election Year

2026


Election

Primary


Race

U.S. Rep., Dist. 24


Incumbent

No


Links

Bob Smith websites FacebookXYouTubeInstagramLinkedIn

EDUCATION

Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, B.S. General Engineering Technology, 2004-2006

Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA, M.S. Systems Engineering, 2014-2015

WORK & MILITARY

U.S. Navy, Commander, 1998-2024

Defense Industry, Senior Engineering Fellow, 2024-2026

AFFILIATIONS

Candidate did not provide

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Candidate did not provide

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

U.S. Congressional District California 24, 2025-2026

ENDORSEMENTS

CONSERVATIVE (7)

Santa Barbara County Republican Party

California Republican Party

California Rifle and Pistol Association CRPA PAC

Ventura County Republican Party

Tom McClintock

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (7)

Santa Barbara County GOP

Ventura County GOP

San Luis Obispo County GOP

California State GOP

Brooks Firestone

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)

Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2026)

State Republican Party Organizations (2025)

WinRed (2025)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)

WinRed (2025)


OTHER INFORMATION

Bob Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. 

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.

Disagree

California voters have decided this issue, and reproductive rights are protected in our state constitution. I respect that and do not support a federal abortion ban. This should be decided closer to the people, not subject to swings in Washington. I trust women and their doctors to make these decisions.

The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.

Disagree

I support IVF and fertility treatments that help families have children. These are deeply personal decisions best made by patients and their doctors. I support responsible ethical standards, but I do not support broad restrictions that would limit access or make it harder for families to have kids.

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

I support access to abortion and believe these decisions should be made by women and their doctors, not the federal government. In general, I believe access early in pregnancy should be protected, with later decisions involving serious medical considerations. California voters have already established protections, and I respect that. I do not support a federal abortion ban.

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Disagree

I strongly support access to women’s preventive and non-abortion reproductive care and believe it should be included in all health plans. At the same time, I do not believe taxpayers should be required to fund elective abortion. We can protect access to care while respecting differing views and maintaining a balanced approach.

The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.

Disagree

I do not support using federal law to impose nationwide restrictions on abortion access. This issue should be decided by states and voters, not dictated by Washington. I believe in consistent, stable policy, not swings driven by federal enforcement. I do not support expanding federal authority in this area.


ECONOMY

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

Free enterprise and private property are fundamental to economic growth, innovation, and opportunity. They empower individuals to build, invest, and create value. At the same time, we need fair rules that prevent abuse and ensure markets work for everyone, especially in housing, where supply constraints have driven up costs.

People who can afford to pay more taxes should do so in order to provide relief for working families.

Agree

Our tax system should be fair and straightforward. Those who do well should contribute appropriately, but the bigger issue is ensuring everyone plays by the same rules. Wealthy individuals shouldn’t be able to use complex loopholes to pay less than working families. We should simplify the system, close loopholes, and focus on lowering the cost of living so families can get ahead.

The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.

Strongly Agree

We must get federal spending under control to address our growing national debt. That means prioritizing essential programs, eliminating waste, and improving efficiency, not across-the-board cuts. At the same time, we should grow the economy and expand the tax base. Fiscal responsibility is about making smart decisions, not cutting blindly.

List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.

1. Reform DoD procurement to reduce cost, improve accountability, and leverage buying power—ensuring efficiency without compromising readiness. 2. Fix budget instability from delays and continuing resolutions that drive waste across all agencies. 3. Eliminate redundant and outdated federal programs through regular audits. 4. Reduce administrative bloat by streamlining regulations and bureaucracy government-wide. 5. Strengthen oversight to crack down on fraud and improper payments


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

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

Disagree

I believe religious liberty and freedom of conscience should be respected. At the same time, businesses that serve the public should follow basic non-discrimination laws. We should seek reasonable accommodations where possible, protecting both individual rights and equal access, rather than forcing conflicts where common-sense solutions exist.

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

Separation of church and state means the government cannot establish or favor a religion, nor restrict the free exercise of faith. It protects both religious freedom and individual liberty. People of faith have every right to participate in public life, but government should not impose religious beliefs on others.


HEALTHCARE

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.

B. I support a system where healthcare is accessible to everyone, with a public option available for those who need it, alongside private plans that promote choice and innovation. We should focus on lowering costs, increasing transparency, and expanding access, while maintaining competition and improving patient outcomes.

The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.

Disagree

I support using data to improve healthcare outcomes and manage costs, but not government databases that track individuals’ medical conditions. Patient privacy must be protected. We can use anonymized, aggregated data to assess trends and costs without creating systems that risk misuse or undermine trust.


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.

B. The U.S. should lead with strength but act with discipline. We should support allies and confront real threats when it serves American interests, not engage in endless wars or nation-building. Our foreign policy must be focused on protecting our security, maintaining stability, and avoiding unnecessary conflicts.

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

Strongly Agree

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber, economic, and intellectual property threats to the United States. We must respond with strength by protecting critical industries, securing supply chains, and deterring aggression while maintaining stability and avoiding unnecessary escalation.

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

Yes. Israel is a critical ally in a volatile region and shares democratic values with the United States. Our partnership enhances security, intelligence cooperation, and regional stability. A strong alliance also means supporting long-term peace and security for the region.

Islamic terrorism is a threat to the United States' national security.

Strongly Agree

Violent Islamist extremism remains a serious threat to U.S. and global security, including groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda. We also face threats from state actors like Iran that support and enable terrorism through proxy networks. We must stay vigilant, strengthen intelligence and partnerships, and confront these threats directly while making clear our fight is against extremism, not a religion.


IMMIGRATION

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

The United States should welcome immigrants who follow the law, contribute to our economy, and respect our Constitution. Our system should prioritize merit, skills, and family unity, while maintaining strong border security and enforcement. We also need a functional legal process so people can immigrate in an orderly and timely way, rather than being incentivized to enter illegally.

I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.

Disagree

I don’t support sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal law enforcement, especially in cases involving violent offenders. Public safety requires coordination across agencies. We should focus enforcement on those who pose real threats while fixing our legal immigration system, so it is fair, orderly, and works for everyone.


EDUCATION

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

Neutral

States already account for the vast majority of education funding and outcomes, and they are better positioned to manage them because they are closer to students, parents, and teachers. Accountability should exist at the state and local level, not in Washington. The federal role should be limited and focused, not a large layer of bureaucracy.

Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.

Agree

Foreign governments should not be able to exert influence over American education through funding. We need clear transparency and safeguards to protect academic independence and national security.


VALUES

Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.

Agree

Protecting children from harm must come first. I do not support medical transition interventions for minors. We should prioritize counseling, mental health support, and parental involvement, with strong safeguards and independent oversight.

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

Disagree

Marriage is a legal institution governed by civil law, not a religious requirement. People are free to define marriage through their faith, but the government should not impose a religious definition. In a diverse country, civil law must ensure equal treatment while protecting religious freedom for everyone.

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I was raised Catholic, and my values are grounded in personal responsibility, family, service, and respect and dignity for others. I believe in accountability, hard work, and contributing to something larger than yourself. A strong moral foundation is essential to building strong communities.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

Requiring identification to vote is a reasonable step to protect election integrity and maintain public trust. We should make IDs free and easy to obtain so no eligible voter is excluded. Secure elections and accessible voting are not in conflict; we can and should have both.


EQUALITY

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 need to protect fairness in women’s sports and ensure privacy and safety in sensitive spaces. Policies should be based on biological differences in athletics and provide appropriate accommodations that respect everyone’s dignity. The goal is to balance fairness, safety, and inclusion with clear, consistent standards.


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

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

We need an all-of-the-above energy strategy. Reliable baseload power from nuclear, alongside natural gas and renewables, is essential. Small modular reactors are the future of clean, high-efficiency baseload energy and long-term reliability.


ABOUT YOU

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

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?

Moderate

I’m a pragmatic problem solver focused on issues over ideology. I look at what works, prioritize results, and aim to find balanced, common-sense solutions that serve the community


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.

Strongly Agree

The government has a clear responsibility to protect children online. We should enforce strong safeguards against exploitation, hold bad actors accountable, and work with platforms to ensure safety, while respecting privacy and free speech.


2ND AMENDMENT

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

Restrictions should focus on keeping firearms out of the hands of violent felons, domestic abusers, and individuals found by a court to be a clear danger, with due process protections. We should also hold adults accountable when negligent storage allows minors to access firearms. I do not support broad new restrictions on law-abiding citizens.

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