Tom Smith (Pennsylvania politician)
Tom Smith | |
|---|---|
 Smith in 2012 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Thomas Joel Smith October 20, 1947 Kittanning, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | October 17, 2015 (aged 67) Shelocta, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Democratic Party (Before 2011) Republican Party (2011–2015) |
| Spouse | Saundy Smith |
| Children | 7 |
| Committees | Plumcreek Township Board, Indiana Armstrong Patriots |
| Website | Archived 2012-11-01 at the Wayback Machine |
Thomas Joel "Tom" Smith (October 20, 1947 – October 17, 2015) was a Pennsylvania politician, farmer and businessman. A Democrat for four decades before seeking elective office, Smith switched his registration in 2011 and ran for the United States Senate in the 2012 election as a Republican,[1][2] losing to the incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey, Jr.
Life, education, and early career
Smith was born on October 20, 1947.[3] He grew up in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania and graduated from Elderton High School in 1965.[4] At 19, he decided to postpone college to run the family farm when his father was ill.[5] He also took over the family's school bus company.[6] The Smiths had three biological children, and later adopted four more children from Texas.[7]
Coal mining business career
Smith started work in a coal mine shortly after leaving school.[4] In 1989, he purchased and ran a coal mine, after raising the money by mortgaging his existing property. He ran the business for 20 years before selling it in 2010.[4] Smith said that his company was "mining more than a million tons of a coal" per year and employed over 100 people.[8]
Political career
Plumcreek local politics
Smith was involved in local politics as a Democrat, serving on the Plumcreek Township Board of Supervisors and became President of the Board. In 1975, the Plumcreek board voted to increase the real estate tax rate from 6 to 8 mills. In 1977, the board created an income tax, and he voted for the “Local Tax enabling Act.” In 1978, he voted for the creation of a 1% real estate transfer tax.[9]
He was a Democratic committeeman as late as 2010 and was a member of the party for four decades. "It's true I was a Democrat but I was conservative, so I really wasn't a Democrat," Smith says, noting that he then chaired a local chapter in the Tea Party movement.[2][10][11]
2012 U.S. Senate election
Smith entered the Republican race for United States Senate, and in April 2012 won the five-way primary race with 43% of the vote.[12] He faced incumbent Democrat U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Jr. in the general election in November. Casey was first elected in 2006, defeating then-incumbent U.S. Senator Rick Santorum by 18 points, 59%–41%.
Following controversial comments about rape by Republican Representative Todd Akin, Smith was asked August 27, 2012 by the Pennsylvania Press Club, with regard to his no-exceptions anti-abortion stance, how he would tell a daughter or granddaughter who had been raped that she had to keep the pregnancy. Smith stated that he had been in a similar situation because his relative had become pregnant out of wedlock. Smith then stated that he was not equating the two situations, but that "a father's position" was similar.[13][14]
Smith lost in the general election to Casey.[15]
Political positions
On September 7, 2012, Smith released the full text of his five-point economic plan entitled, Restoring the American Dream.[16][17] The major points of his plan focused upon reducing federal spending and easing domestic energy production. Smith has continued to run television ads promoting his policy plan.[18]
Smith believed that life begins at conception, stating, "My stance is on record and its very simplistic: I'm pro-life, period", and he believed abortion should be banned with no exceptions, including in circumstances of rape and incest.[13][19][20][21][22]
Personal life
After graduation, he married his high school sweetheart. They lived in Armstrong County for several years with seven children.[4] His net worth is estimated between $60 to $70 million.[23] Smith died at his home in Shelocta in 2015.[24]
References
- ^ http://www.politicspa.com/tom-smith-democratic-committeeman/29916/
- ^ a b Senate candidates spar over conservative credentials; The Philadelphia Enquirer; April 4, 2012
- ^ "Thomas 'Tom' Joel Smith". Pennsylvania 2012 Election Center. The Washington Times. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Meet Tom". Tom Smith for Senate. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
- ^ http://articles.mcall.com/2012-04-24/news/mc-pa-bob-casey-senate-20120424_1_tea-party-gop-primary-race-democratic-party
- ^ http://www.paleadershipconference.com/speaker-bios/27-bio-tom-smith
- ^ Channels: Everyone would benefit if Sen. Casey would debate Tom Smith
- ^ http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/election-2012/candidates/146153735.html?keywords=%22Tom+%20Smith%22&author=y&sort=date
- ^ http://www.politicspa.com/smith-tax-votes-play-in-senate-campaign/33188/
- ^ Infield, Tom (April 25, 2012). "Smith wins GOP Senate nod". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ^ Gibson, Keegan (April 16, 2012). "Where's Tom Smith?". PoliticsPA. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
- ^ Brennan, Kevin (April 24, 2012). "Smith Wins Pennsylvania Senate GOP Primary". National Journal. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
- ^ a b Senate candidate Tom Smith tangled up over rape and abortion
- ^ Smith Makes Abortion Gaffe; Politics PA; August 28, 2012
- ^ Green, Joshua (November 6, 2012). "Obama Wins, Big Time". Business Week.
- ^ Smith, Tom (September 25, 2012). "Restoring the American Dream." Smartvoter.org. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
- ^ Wereschagin, Mike (September 19, 2012). "‘Simplicity is big key’ to Senate Candidate Smith’s Tax Plan." TribLive.com. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
- ^ New Smith Ad Aims at Policy (Also Casey). Watch Video
- ^ http://www.ontheissues.org/social/Tom_Smith_Abortion.htm
- ^ http://wesa.fm/2012/08/27/pa-gop-sen-candidate-says-no-exception-abortion
- ^ http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/phillynow/2012/08/28/tom-smith%E2%80%99s-rape-gaffe-offers-insight-into-conservative-domination/
- ^ Tom Smith on Abortion; On the Issues; October 22, 2012
- ^ http://www.politicspa.com/casey-to-donors-polls-have-warning-signals/37116/
- ^ Associated Press (18 October 2015). "Tom Smith, conservative who ran for US Senate, dies at 67". Washington Times.
External links
- Archived 2012-11-01 at the Wayback Machine
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org