Jennifer Smith
Republican | Iowa
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Jennifer Smith
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 50
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Illinois State University, Normal, IL, BS, 1995
Illinois State University, Normal, IL, MS, 1997
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, PhD, 2008
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Dubuque County GOP, Co-Chair, Chair, Volunteer, Republican Party of Iowa
State Central Committee, Shot Tower Sport, Board Member
Izaak Walton League of America, Board Member, Group leader, Grandview United Methodist Church
Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2020)
Shannon Lundgren (2016)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2020)
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?
The only potential allowance for abortion after three months would be for the life of the mother, meaning her life is severely threatened if the pregnancy were to continue. Prior to three months, under incest and rape.
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?
Reduce government regulations and "red tape." I would also like to examine programs to eliminate redundancies.
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.
Neutral
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?
The state has no right to limit the ability of the individual to worship. It does not prohibit the individual from expressing their religious beliefs in any situation, including in public spaces.
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?
Allow health insurance to be purchased across state lines, let individuals have the tax credit for health insurance premiums rather than allowing employers to have the tax credit. Allow individuals to go to the doctor and pay for the procedure rather than require the service to be run through the insurance company. Allow individuals to know the cost of the procedures.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly 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.
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?
Those who have something to offer to the United States and will not be a burden on the country. Someone who sees the potential opportunities available in the United States and want to help preserve the foundations of this great country. These individuals are willing to go through the legal process.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
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.
Religion is critical to the foundation of our country. I believe in God and that he has a plan for everyone, yet it is up to the individual to follow that plan. He allows for free will, and is distressed when his children fail to follow their path. He is always there to love us and give us support if we are willing to ask and accept his guidance.
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 a free market economist who believes society and the economy works best when we follow the principles laid out by our Founding Fathers and act in our own interest. We as individuals are the best equipped to determine what is best for ourselves and our families. Government intervention results in outcomes that are not optimal, and actually cause more harm than good when it intervenes in activities of the individual. Government does have a place, but it is a limited role.
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I am an economist so I understand the secondary effects that occur when the government gets involved in the private market. I understand what increasing debt does to the future generations and the functioning of the economy. I understand how regulations impact the ability of firms and individuals to make decisions which are beneficial to themselves, which results in the best outcome for society.
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?
Did not answer
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.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
None. Gun rights are protected by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. As an NRA Pistol Instructor, NRA Range Safety Officer, competitive shooter, and organizer of a group of female shooters, I understand the critical role we have as citizens to defend ourselves and our families.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
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?
Decreasing taxes to increase business growth and job opportunities. Protecting the dignity of life from conception to natural death. Increasing Iowa's workforce through education and training.
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Racism is a threat to domestic security when it is allowed to progress into riots and destruction. Hatred of individuals due to religious beliefs, skin color or other characteristics is unacceptable. However, this is not an excuse to destroy and attack those who may agree with your perspective for addressing the issue.
