Michelle Smith (Maryland)
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Michelle Smith (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Maryland. She lost in the Democratic primary on July 19, 2022.
Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Michelle Smith was born in Washington, D.C. Smith earned a bachelor's degree and graduate degree from Howard University in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Her career experience includes working as a senior FOIA policy analyst. Smith has been affiliated with the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the American Society of Access Professionals, and Happy Helpers.[1]
Elections
2022
See also: United States Senate election in Maryland, 2022
General election
General election for U.S. Senate Maryland
Incumbent Chris Van Hollen defeated Chris Chaffee, Scottie Griffin, and Andrew Wildman in the general election for U.S. Senate Maryland on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Chris Van Hollen (D) | 65.8 | 1,316,897 |
Chris Chaffee (R) | 34.1 | 682,293 | ||
![]() | Scottie Griffin (D) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 334 | |
![]() | Andrew Wildman (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 89 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 2,723 |
Total votes: 2,002,336 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Maryland
Incumbent Chris Van Hollen defeated Michelle Smith in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Maryland on July 19, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Chris Van Hollen | 80.8 | 535,014 |
Michelle Smith ![]() | 19.2 | 127,089 |
Total votes: 662,103 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. Senate Maryland
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Maryland on July 19, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Chris Chaffee | 20.8 | 50,514 | |
Lorie Friend ![]() | 14.7 | 35,714 | ||
![]() | John Thormann | 13.7 | 33,290 | |
Joseph Perez ![]() | 10.8 | 26,359 | ||
![]() | George Davis | 8.7 | 21,095 | |
![]() | James Tarantin | 8.4 | 20,514 | |
Reba Hawkins | 7.4 | 18,057 | ||
![]() | Jon McGreevey | 5.8 | 14,128 | |
![]() | Todd Puglisi | 5.6 | 13,550 | |
Nnabu Eze | 4.1 | 9,917 |
Total votes: 243,138 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Michelle Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Smith's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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|Currently, I am employed as a top notch Senior FOIA Policy Analyst/Technical Writer with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). I have several years of federal government work experience with an extensive background in National Security, Law Enforcement, Foreign Relations and Advisory Opinions. In addition, my subject matter expertise involves the application of FOIA Exemption (b)(5) with an emphasis on forseeable harm. I focus strongly on protecting our country first, while protecting the federal agency by which I am employed. Although transparency in government is very important, everything is not for everyone to see. I have worked for the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Veteran's Administration and U.S. Department of Justice. I am a graduate of Howard University with a BA in Communications and MA in History, specializing in the United States.
In addition, I work part time as an audio engineer where I produce, mix and master recordings that are aired on the radio.
- I will lead the effort to permanently dismantle systemic and structural racism at the highest level of government.
- I will push the U.S. Congress to restore the United States’ reputation as a solid world leader by strengthening bilateral relationships with its top ten allies. A seriously difficult time will come upon our country and we will need the support of our allies.
- I will push Congress to pass the Next Step Act of 2019, which was introduced by Senator Cory Booker, to reform sentencing, the prison system, recidivism and law enforcement practices and it is long overdue.
The areas of public policy that I am personally passionate about are healthcare as well as issues pertaining to our military veterans, housing and the care of women. For more information, please visit MichelleSmithforSenate.org.
I look up to my favorite first cousin, Debra C. Escort. She is the most fascinating, classy, intelligent and vibrant woman that I have ever known. She is literally a walking textbook. She was born two decades prior to my birth in 1972. She has lived and experienced several facets of our American culture and is a major part of historical civil rights events that have occurred. Debra worked in the field of gerontology for over 40 years and has helped thousands of New York City's homeless and aging populations. Known as a social butterfly, Debra has worked with some of the most influential politicians, entertainers and philanthropists during her fundraising efforts which was a major highlight of her professional career. Debra has always and still is a leader in everything she puts her hands on. Although she is retired from public service, professionals from around the country still consult with her on various issues involving senior citizens, homelessness, respite care and affordable housing. Since I was a teenager, I have aspired to be just like her - a woman of integrity, passion, consideration and concern for others in need. I want to be of good service to others because I know that when I put that positive energy out there, it will come right back to me. Nothing gives me more joy than to see another individual happy because of something that I was able to accomplish for him/her.
The qualities that I possess that would make me a successful officeholder are:
- Adaptability - On any new job, I have the ability to adapt well to the environment and learn the processes/procedures for the job.
- Analysis - I have the ability to think critically and analytically. My written and verbal communications skills are impeccable.
- Integrity - My actions are aligned with the words that I speak. I am concerned with doing what is right. I have no interest in lying to the American people. I prefer to be transparent.
- Problem solving - I strive to resolve problems and get issues settled so that I can move forward. There is no going backwards in life.
- Resilience - I am neither easily intimidated nor can I be knocked down. I am not a scared/fearful person. I stand tall.
- Leadership - I have never been a follower. I lead with tact and poise. I have a mind of my own and I am not afraid to speak up for others.
The first major historical event that I experienced in my lifetime was attending the 1st inauguration of President Barack Obama in January 2009. My three children were with me. Because I knew my way around Capitol Hill and how to maneuver getting around the various office buildings, I found a good spot for us to watch the event and my children and I had a great view. Although it was freezing outside, it felt very good to be a part of this most historical event.
My first job was in 1984. I was employed by the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program in Washington, D.C. The job lasted for the entire summer where I worked in the library at American University. This was my first job where I learned essential skills in research, nomenclature, archival science, classification criteria, collection management and preservation. It was this job that enabled me to start thinking critically and analytically and, develop new/revised systems, procedures and workflows. In addition, I learned the importance of providing excellent customer service. Also, back in the 1980s, the computer operating systems we used were DOS. Furthermore, it involved the use of saving files on floppy discs and entering commands into the computer to get work completed. From this point on, I knew that I wanted to enter into a career that would allow me to continuously grow while having the opportunity to serve others.
What I perceive as the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade are:
- permanently eliminating terrorist activities at home and abroad
- dealing with Ukraine and their hodgepodge of problems
- reducing war
- overseas traveling and COVID
- building new partnerships with other countries; regain trust
In my opinion, the most unique quality that the United States Senate possesses is to protect the rights of individual states and safeguard minority opinion in a system of government that was designed to give greater power to the national government. If used correctly and for the betterment of the people, every state has the power to ensure that its citizens have access to services that they need while at the same time treating people fairly.
Yes! It is definitely beneficial for senators to have previous experience in government. Anyone who has federal government experience will know and have an understanding of these important legislative standards:
- how the agency operates and its mission,
- an understanding of the CFR and the importance of publishing information in the FR,
- who makes the important decisions for the federal agency and how they are drafted, finalized and approved, and
- how the work that you do impacts the American people.
While having federal government experience is not a requirement to become an elected senator, it is common sense that any elected official should have some understanding of how the government operates whether it is at the federal, state or local levels. Government does not operate like the private sector (to turn a profit). Therefore, the government should not be operated like it is a business.
A filibuster is a stalling tactic and can be a waste of time in situations that are detrimental. When a senator or group of senators in Congress use this tactic to delay, procrastinate or stonewall an important bill from being heard or voted on, they are basically telling the American people that they don't give a damn about their lives. For instance, southern democrats held up much needed civil rights legislation until 1964. Between 1955 and 1964, all hell kept breaking loose and black Americans were continuing to be harassed, tortured and lynched. Police brutality during this time was part of the norm. The U.S. Congress knew what was occurring in the country and should have acted aggressively to resolve it. That is the main reason why we elect politicians to office - to resolve problems and to keep the country operating to maximize its output.
The criteria that I would apply when deciding whether to confirm a presidential appointee is as follows:
Traditional - the individual should be qualified with previous federal government or alternative experience, high level college education and should probably have a background in Constitutional Law and/or bilateral/foreign relations (this depends on certain appointments). Everything that the United States does is predicated upon the amendments that were written into the U.S. Constitution. It is not feasible to have an individual lead a federal agency or be an advisor to the White House and he/she does not have an understanding of that agency because that individual may be inclined to make incompetent decisions based on ignorance. Presidential appointees must present themselves with tact, poise and professionalism at all times and not have someone in office running amuck and embarrassing it. For example, when appointing someone as the Secretary of HUD, that individual should have qualified experience in housing, management of block grants, section 8 vouchers, dealing with homelessness, building renovations, apportionment of lands, eminent domain, etc.
Political - although having political experience is not a requirement, it can be useful in determining the appointee's experience with interacting with the public.
Professional - the appointee's professional career experiences are definitely a plus when evaluating how the appointee can best lead a federal agency or other office. In my professional experiences with working with appointees, I have found that many of them had no knowledge of the work that was being performed within the agency. Furthermore, the appointees were extremely young and often made decisions on a whim. Also, I have witnessed on many occasions the embarrassment that was caused by appointees based on asinine and idiotic statements that were either spoken or written by them. Appointees should be well versed in subject areas.
I would love to participate and be part of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. I would definitely be the individual to travel and represent the United States diplomatically and secure our interests. I have the gift of "talking" to people and making them feel at ease in highly charged and emotional situations. I can calm things down and get to the bottom of an issue. But, please know that I do not play games and I will stand my ground and protect this country. I will be a firecracker if I have to.
No. I am my own person with unique charm and characteristics. I would be entering the Senate with fresh new ideas, suggestions for improvements and innovations. I have no interest in mirroring someone else's legacy. I plan to establish my own.
I would build professional and meaningful relationships with other senators by getting to know them and the policies that they support. I want to know what their interests are and what they are passionate about. In addition, I would have meetings with them to determine what is expected of me and how I can be an asset to the Senate. I want to work with the other Senators in unison not against them. I have great ideas to propose but if I don't have great working relationships with them, the other Senators may not hear or listen to me. Therefore, I will strive to be a team player. I don't want to engage in silly arguments and bickering. I want the other senators to know that they will have my full cooperation and that I am flexible.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Smith's campaign website stated the following:
“ |
Healthcare There are a few things that are more basic rights than the right to good healthcare. Everyone deserves the comfort of knowing that if they get sick, they will not be financially doomed. While so many other nations provide their residents with quality healthcare and universal insurance, the United States has opted to continue with its jumbled mess of a health care system. The U.S. can no longer let Americans suffer from soaring healthcare costs and medical bankruptcies. As a member of the U.S. Senate, I pledge to:
Housing Issues Living in satisfactory housing conditions is one of the most important aspects of people's lives. Housing is essential to meet basic needs such as shelter. However, it is not just a question of having a roof over your head. Housing is definitely much more than that. It should offer a place to sleep and rest where people feel safe, have privacy and personal space. It should be a place where they can raise a family. All of these elements help to make a house a home. The problem question is whether people can afford adequate housing or not. In addition, housing costs take up a large share of the household budget and it represents the largest single expenditure for many individuals and families. By the time you add up elements such as rent, gas, electricity, water, furniture and repairs, the budget for the month is almost depleted. This is the case with many Americans that are living while earning a low income, fixed income and/or are living in poverty. This includes military veterans, senior and homeless citizens. Homelessness is a problem in the state of Maryland, especially in Baltimore. I want to change this and ensure that Maryland’s homeless population is no longer homeless. Thus, every homeless Marylander will have a home of their own to go to provided that I focus on the following as your Senator:
I’M A CRUSADER FOR THE HOMELESS!
In the state of Maryland, approximately 75% of the inmate population consists of African Americans. Also, the Maryland State Prison System is overcrowded which is not uncommon. Unfair sentencing guidelines, the inability to pay fines and fees, and many people sitting in jails simply because they either cannot afford to make bail or they have violated the conditions of their probation/parole is the result of our inefficient and repressive criminal justice system. This is usually the case throughout the country. The bottom line here is that the prison systems are inundated with too many people that do not need to be there for long periods of time especially for convictions of non-violent crimes. According the the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ 2018 Update on Prisoner Recidivism: A 9-Year Follow-up Period (2005-2014):
These statistics clearly show that there is a serious problem with inmates being released without the preparation for reentry into society. For many of the formerly incarcerated, securing employment, adequate housing and healthcare has been extremely difficult. As a result, these issues have led some of these people right back into the streets to do what they know best – to live a criminal life just to survive. As your Senator, I will push Congress to:
We are facing unprecedented challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has crippled the Maryland economy and left millions to suffer. Wages are stagnant, unemployment is high, record numbers of small businesses are closing, and millions of everyday Americans are facing economic hardship through no fault of their own. While these trying times are daunting, we Marylanders are stubborn; no challenge can compete with our hard work, resourcefulness, and tenacity. With the proper help from our representatives, we can overcome tribulations and come back stronger than ever before. Congress must act now to help hardworking Americans get back on their feet and recover from the economic devastation of the pandemic. As a member of the U.S. Senate, I pledge to:
“Mass Killing in Indianapolis is a Distinctly American Story” should not ever be the headline. The most recent incident, the FedEx Mass Shooting in Indianapolis, has really struck a nerve with Americans across the country. Unfortunately, just like in the previous mass shootings, several lives were lost, families are heart-broken and we do not understand why the gunman committed this heinous act. As a registered gun owner and member of the NRA, I support the Second Amendment wholeheartedly. In addition, I recognize and respect that the majority of gun owners take their weapons seriously such that they are not out here causing problems and shooting up public places. The amendment was established so that American citizens can retain the right to bear arms. I will work diligently to ensure that the Second Amendment will continue to be upheld. I have no interest in taking away registered guns from law-abiding American citizens. However, I will work diligently to support, draft and pass legislation for:
Issues Pertaining to Our Military Veterans Unfortunately, many Americans who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars need mental health care. However, they aren't always getting enough from the Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Health Administration, according to the results of a congressionally mandated investigation. The military is aware of what the veterans have been exposed to, especially the ones that went to combat. Many of these veterans have witnessed their friends/colleagues get killed. Also, they have had to endure the intense bombing campaigns that released chemicals and dust into the air. As a result, many of these veterans currently suffer from disorders such as sleep apnea, respiratory problems and mental illnesses such as PTSD, depression and addiction. It is important to note that these veterans, men and women, were taken overseas as healthy individuals and several of them became broken. When they returned home, these broken individuals did not get fixed. The Veterans Health Administration repeatedly denies benefits to veterans depending on one of the eight priority groups to which they belong. Most veterans are eligible for VA’s medical care but must enroll to receive treatment. Veterans are assigned to one of eight priority groups based on their service-connected disabilities, income, combat status and other factors when they apply. VA determines how many priority groups it can serve with the funding approved by the Congress. Veterans in the lowest-priority groups would be the first to be denied service. The bottom line here is that no military veteran should be denied the right to receive medical care. In addition, military veterans should receive the same high-quality care that the active duty personnel receive on the military bases. Thus, the VA hospitals and clinics should be structured such that the same high quality of care is afforded to them if they are not able to access the bases. After all, our military veterans have made the ultimate sacrifice for us which is to protect our homeland and our freedoms. As your Senator, I will fight for the following for our military veterans:
Mental illness is real and has had devastating effects on thousands of families across the U.S. Let’s cut out the bureaucratic bullshit and take care of our military veterans.
Amendments to Current Child Support Laws Often times in child support cases, the mothers have the upper hand with respect to the courts ordering fathers to pay. However, there have been several instances where the fathers have ordered paternity testing that has resulted in negative outcomes. Men should not have to continue to pay child support for children that are biologically not theirs. Furthermore, the courts should reverse the decisions and clear their records. In instances where men have signed birth certificates and the paternity tests confirm negative results afterwards, the birth certificates should be corrected/amended with the removal of the incorrect father’s name. While it is important that the states recover, as much as possible, the funds spent on welfare programs, it is totally unfair for any man to pay support for a child once the paternity testing has confirmed the negative results. It is not my intention to make changes to the current child support laws. As your Senator I will:
Additional Amendments to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) As a federal government contractor for several years, I have worked with the FOIA extensively. From issues involving civil rights to issues involving law enforcement, national security, policy and statistics, I have worked behind the scenes reviewing, redacting and releasing federal records while at the same time always thinking of the possible harm that could be caused to an agency should certain records be released by mistake. In addition, I have noticed two common major issues that have continuously plagued the agencies I have worked for during my career:
Many requesters believe and/or think that, when they submit a request to an agency, employees can easily retrieve the records, review and redact them all within the twenty business day timeframe as established by Congress. In most situations, this is NOT the case. A plethora of federal records have been retired and are stored at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) or the Federal Records Center (FRC). Someone will have to locate and retrieve these records if they exist. Other records have been destroyed according to the agency’s retention schedules. Furthermore, there are many other kinds of records that may require consultations with the custodian(s) of the records. This takes time. Also, because many employees have been retiring lately, those positions have not and probably will not be backfilled thus, causing a shortage in staffing. To help alleviate some of the problems associated with responding to FOIA requests, I will propose the following:
For simple track requests, agencies should be able to respond within the twenty business day timeframe. However, for complex requests (mainly involving policy), the agencies will need a minimum of 90 - 120 business days. This will allow for more quality reviews and allow for consultations, if needed. Most importantly, this should help decrease mistakes in releasing records that should not be released.
When I first purchased my home, approximately once each month someone was knocking on my door offering for me to switch how my electricity was being delivered to me, from fossil-fuel to wind and/or solar power. To do my part and help the environment, I purchased solar panels for my home. This was an awesome and rewarding investment. During the summer seasons, I barely get an electric bill. The main reason for this is because my home gets full sun approximately 12 to 14 hours each day during the spring and summer seasons and 6 to 9 hours during the fall and winter seasons. For the past three years, I have had the pleasure of experiencing the benefits of having solar energy to power my home while at the same time decreasing pollution. I feel great about this positive contribution to the environment. However, this is not enough. The health of the environment is extremely important if we want to continue to inhabit this land for hundreds of years to come. As of now, we need to make some serious changes to restore the health of our planet. Pollution from fossil fuel combustion, oil spills, plastics and other trash in the oceans is drastically changing the climate, killing precious species, destroying ecosystems and causing severe lung and other health problems for humans around the world. It is imperative that we transition to clean energy sources and reduce carbon emissions in our country and globally. This will help to increase energy efficiency. In the Senate, I will work diligently to:
On January 20, 2021 and on his first day in office, President Biden signed the document to bring the United States back into the Paris Climate Agreement. More than 200 nations have signed on and have committed to limit their greenhouse gas emissions in an attempt to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius. As your Senator, if science tells us that this is not enough, I will vote to pass more legislation to drastically reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the coming years. This will include forcing the most polluting nations around the world to take aggressive action on decreasing pollution that is being emitted into the environment by switching to clean energy ASAP. Furthermore, I will propose that special clauses are included in all future agreements to prevent future sitting presidents from tampering and/or rolling back key components of them. In my opinion, it’s a terrible shame that we even have to enact laws to get some of the greedy corporations around the world and in our country to do the right thing. For instance, I get a letter in the mail maybe every other month from my electric supplier. The letters are asking me if I would like to switch to energy that comes from a clean renewable source. If I check the box that says “yes,” then the electric company will make it happen for an increased rate. I shouldn’t have to make a simple moral choice like that. The electric company should just do it and not charge me for it. No one should have to pay for doing something that will yield a great and positive environmental impact.
Since 2016, the U.S. has experienced the greatest drop in global confidence. The world's trust in our country, which is extremely divided politically and has stirred global alarm over the U.S. killing of an Iranian general during the previous presidential administration, has dropped by more than 50%. According to the 2020 Best Countries report, this is the sharpest drop of any country assessed. The U.S. cannot afford to be in a position where its global relationships and partnerships are strained due to coarse, discourteous and ethnocentric attitudes towards other nations. This, of course, is not the proper diplomatic way to communicate and conduct business. With respect to Ukraine, I understand that strategically and geographically this country lies at the crux between Russia and Europe only because they broke free from the Soviet Union in 1991. But, since Ukraine was recognized as an independent country, there has been a hodgepodge of incidents dealing with this country while at the same time causing the U.S. to be at odds with Russia. This right here sounds like there is a bit of Cold War rivalry occurring with Ukraine all up in the middle of it. Although the Cold War is over, the U.S. still sees Ukraine through the lens of Russia. So, is Ukraine going to lean East or West? Did the U.S. get played like “Pacman” when Congress authorized a $400 million military aid package for Ukraine in 2019? When presented with the offer to investigate a U.S. presidential candidate and his son in exchange for the military aid package, the president of Ukraine carefully considered doing so. The look in his eye said it all. On that note, as your Senator I will push for the U.S. Congress to:
Community Policing Now more than ever, members of the public are making their own assessments of use of force encounters by the presence of cell phone video recorded by third parties and by police dashboard camera or body-worn camera footage that is then distributed via social media and provided to the news media. As more of these encounters are captured on video, members of various communities are demanding that law enforcement agencies take additional steps to hold personnel accountable and prevent some of these deadly uses of force from occurring in the future. As your Senator:
Jobs In December 2020, the unemployment rate in my state was 6.3%. Approximately 198,384 civilian workers were unemployed. As your Senator, I will:
Some ways that we can restore faith in the election process in our country are: Get rid of same-day registration because the election officials don’t have time verify the information on the voting form. Anyone can lie. Get rid of “automatic registration.” People should not become registered voters automatically. Anyone that would like to become a registered voter should complete the application form like others have done so in the past. Some people are not interested in being registered voters. Clean up the voter rolls. There are still dead people present on many of these listings. That is ridiculous. There has to be way that, once the Social Security Administration has been made aware of the death of an American citizen, information can be shared with the state’s government agencies where the deceased resided. Computer systems should be linked and/or interoperable so that the feds may be able to communicate with state and local government agencies. This should be made mandatory by law. Plain and simple. States need to review their mail-in ballot guidelines and procedures. Too many ballots are being rejected due to technicalities with signatures, old previous addresses and the like. Mail-in ballots should be sent to those individuals under special circumstances, in which was initially intended, such as those that are away on active military duty, have a disability and cannot physically get to the voting station and/or those that may be required to work on election day such as public servants, fire, police and all hospital staff. As your Senator, I will push Congress to make the above improvements, as well as others, mandatory for all 50 states. The form of democracy that we currently live in has not been protecting the rights of many Americans. We have to fix this problem. We need to start with the people that we elect into public office.[2] |
” |
—Michelle Smith's campaign website (2022)[3] |
See also
2022 Elections
External links
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Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 7, 2021
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Michelle L. Smith For U.S. Senate, “Policy,” accessed June 29, 2022