Michael "Mike" Smith
Republican | Nevada
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Michael "Mike" Smith
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Primary
Race
U.S. Rep, Dist. 2
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
US Naval Academy, Annapolis, BS Physical Oceanography, 1978-1982
WORK & MILITARY
US Navy, Captain (O-6), 1982-2012
AFFILIATIONS
Local Church, member, 1998-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
None
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
NV Assembly Dist 30, 2022-2022
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
None
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidate profile. KUNR Public Radio. 3 Apr 2026.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
"Human life", especially an innocent one, say it all.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Strongly Agree
"Human life", especially an innocent one, say it all.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
When it is not consensual in the case of the barbaric act of rape. Ideally, it is commendable for any woman who would want to deliver a baby conceived in such a horrendous act, but I cannot imagine the anguish of having to make that decision.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
Under no circumstances should any tax dollars be used to fund this or any organization involved in abortion.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Agree
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
People who can afford to pay more taxes should do so in order to provide relief for working families.
Disagree
Given the adjusted tax rate structure, the higher earners already pay more by percentage. Our working families are better served with a government that restrains spending. The need to pay more concept is the outcome of a failure to control spending, by both political parties. Our national debt is approaching $39T and every second means another $50-60K added. More taxes is not the solution to any of our problems.
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
See answer to question 2
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
A balanced budget to stop over spending. Conduct a comprehensive review of all NGOs. The recent revelation of NGO spending leading to funding of corrupt or criminal enterprises begs for a comprehensive review of those organizations. Revive the DOGE concept and institute some of the previous recommendations across all federal agencies Eliminate duplication of services that may span more than one government agency or department Seek ways to downsize/elminate government agencies via automation.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
It is a statement exploited by intentional misrepresentation of the Constitution for political gains.
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.
C, but only because it is massively challenging to undo the government program. However, for broader general healthcare, some of the recent hearing and or alternatives from legislators never made the debate due to special interests and other influences to deny good ideas from being debated.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
HIPAA should be respected. We don't need government database of any personal data, especially medical data.
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.
The challenge with this question is how to define "intervene", "help", "involve". President Trump, in many cases, applied unique diplomatic pressures and alternative approaches to foreign policy that offers alternatives to achieving foreign policy goals. His promise of "no forever wars" and alternative approaches is promising.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes, Israel is a county under constant siege in a region that has been plagued by unending armed conflicts in large part due to the rouge Iranian regime and its terrorist goals. The recent conflict with Iran has opened the prospects for a major reduction of instability in the Middle East and subsequent assaults on Israel. The potential to allow Israel to exist without the constant looming threat of attacks internally and externally is a significant shift in a more prosperous Middle East.
Islamic terrorism is a threat to the United States' national security.
Strongly Agree
Islamic terrorism is a global destabilizing threat and thus a threat to the United States.
IMMIGRATION
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
When it serves our national interests with immigrants that can contribute to and assimilate into our society and culture.
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly Agree
Influences to transition or introduce the concepts of transitions is a problem within the liberal controlled education system and with greater threat by school administrators or teachers seeking to intervene and not alert parents. Under no circumstances should a teacher or school administrator ever be allowed to not inform parents of psychological behavioral concerns or worse still, never be allowed to introduce such topics of transition to the academic environment.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My relationship with God is mine and personal. I pray and seek guidance and give thanks to so many blessings I have received. The non denominational church I attend is so welcoming and influential it strengthens my relationship with God. My values include compassion and when I consider a role in public service it is motivated to find solutions that are pragmatic and reasonable. The objective is never lost in the intent to offer solutions that are effective and fulfilling and not politically self serving as is often the case with liberalism. Respect for humanity, guarding our freedoms and liberties, honoring our Constitution and the bible as our life fulfilling doctrine and serving God are just some of the values I seek to achieve.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Common sense, show ID to vote.
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
On the sports issue, it is so absurd to allow biological males to compete in women's sports. It has cheated so many young girls seeking to elevate their athletic achievements in fair competition only to be crushed by a biological male being allowed to compete.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear energy offers solutions to increased energy demands and the prospects of yet more technological advances in alternative energy remain promising. The market technologies should be allowed to determine solutions, not government subsidized ones
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?
Very Conservative
I am very conservative by nature but also pragmatic. I insist on defining problems and applying sound reasonable solutions not political theater or outcomes. Too often, liberal solutions are part of the problematic solutions to the very problems liberalism creates.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Law abiding gun owners are not the problem for public safety.
