Steve Smith

Who are you? I live in Maricopa with my wife and our 2 daughters (our second daughter is just 2 months old so it is a very exciting time for us).  I graduated with honors from Michigan State University, was the co-owner of a marketing company, and now run one of the largest talent agencies in the southwestern United States.  As a business owner, I understand how to lead people, how make a business profitable, and how to manage and live within a budget.
 
What is one thing people don’t know about you? As a public candidate, it seems that everyone knows everything about me, so there are no secrets to hide or skeletons in my closet.

Why are you the best candidate for the position? I will actually represent the people of our district which is something, unfortunately, our current State Senator Rebeca Rios has not been doing.  For example, Ms. Rios voted ‘NO’ on SB 1070, a bill that over 80% of Arizonans agree with.  If 80% of us agree with it, is she representing the people or playing political games? 
Additionally, Ms. Rios missed over 30% of her votes last year in the Senate.  As far as I’m concerned, the most important function of a State Senator is to represent the people by voting on the issues affecting them.  When she misses over 30% of the votes, how exactly is she ‘representing’ us?
 
What are the three most pressing issues facing your constituents and how will you address those issues? First is illegal immigration.  This issue (which placed Arizona front and center in world news) has a major economic and social impact on this state.  Economically speaking, last year Arizona spent $2.7 billion on healthcare, education, and imprisonment costs for illegal aliens and in the same year our average budget deficit was, would you believe, $2.7 billion!  One needs to look no further as to why our state is broke.  The social impact is staggering as well in that Arizona is now the kidnapping capitol of the USA (and second in the world to Mexico City) and is victim to the treacherous drug and human smuggling cartels which are destroying our great state.  I am proud to be endorsed and supported by our great Sheriff Paul Babeu, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and Senator Russell Pearce (author of SB 1070) as they agree with me that the illegal immigration issue must be truly addressed.

The second big issue is jobs.  Arizona must provide a friendly environment for companies to do business here.  We must lower taxes and regulations so that small and large businesses can survive and thrive in this economy, which will lead them to hire more out-of-work Arizonans.

Third is education.  I come from a family of teachers and the main problem Arizona has with its education system is that too much money goes to administrative bureaucrats and not enough money goes to the teachers.  When teachers are not being properly paid, many have (and will continue) either give up teaching altogether or simply move out of state.  This directly impacts our children because without the best teachers, Arizona’s education system will continue to rank near the bottom.

Who is the first person you call if victorious? My brother or sisters in Michigan — whoever would still be awake by then!

Why are you running for office? I am sick of weak-kneed and career politicians who care more about being elected than they do about defending our great country and its people.

Why are you the best person for the position? Because I actually have a plan to help Arizona recover, and I pledge to carry out the will of the people.

What are you qualifications for the position? As a former business owner, I understand how to lead, manage budgets and be successful.