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Smith entered the Republican race for United States Senate, and in April 2012 won the five-way primary race with 43% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news|last=Brennan|first=Kevin|title=Smith Wins Pennsylvania Senate GOP Primary|url=http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2012/04/smith-wins-penn.php|accessdate=April 25, 2012|newspaper=National Journal|date=April 24, 2012}}</ref> He faced incumbent Democrat U.S. Senator ] in the general election in November. Casey was first elected in ], defeating then-incumbent U.S. Senator ] by 18 points, 59%–41%. Smith entered the Republican race for United States Senate, and in April 2012 won the five-way primary race with 43% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news|last=Brennan|first=Kevin|title=Smith Wins Pennsylvania Senate GOP Primary|url=http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2012/04/smith-wins-penn.php|accessdate=April 25, 2012|newspaper=National Journal|date=April 24, 2012}}</ref> He faced incumbent Democrat U.S. Senator ] in the general election in November. Casey was first elected in ], defeating then-incumbent U.S. Senator ] by 18 points, 59%–41%.


Following ], 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 clarified his statement, saying that he was not equating the two situations, but that "a father's position" was similar.<ref name="articles.philly.com"></ref><ref>; Politics PA; August 28, 2012</ref> Following ], 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 attempted to walk back his statement, saying that he was not equating the two situations, but that "a father's position" was similar.<ref name="articles.philly.com"></ref><ref>; Politics PA; August 28, 2012</ref>


Smith lost in the general election to Casey.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-11-06/obama-wins-big-time |title=Obama Wins, Big Time |first=Joshua |last=Green |date=November 6, 2012 |work=Business Week}}</ref> Smith lost in the general election to Casey.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-11-06/obama-wins-big-time |title=Obama Wins, Big Time |first=Joshua |last=Green |date=November 6, 2012 |work=Business Week}}</ref>

Revision as of 15:58, 18 April 2013

Tom Smith
Personal details
BornThomas Joel Smith
(1947-10-20) October 20, 1947 (age 77)
Kittanning, Pennsylvania,
U.S.
Political partyDemocratic Party (Before 2011)
Republican Party
(2011–present)
SpouseSaundy Smith
Children7
CommitteesPlumcreek Township Board, Indiana Armstrong Patriots
WebsiteCampaign website
(archived - Nov. 1, 2012)

Thomas Joel "Tom" Smith (born October 20, 1947) is a Pennsylvania Republican 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, losing to the incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey, Jr.

Life, education, and early career

Smith grew up in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania and graduated from Elderton High School in 1965. At 19, he decided to postpone college to run the family farm when his father was ill. He also took over the family's school bus company. The Smiths had three biological children, and later adopted four more children from Texas.

Coal mining business career

Smith started work in a coal mine shortly after leaving school. 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. Smith has said that his company was “mining more than a million tons of a coal" per year and employed over 100 people.

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.

He was a Democratic committeeman as recently 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 now chairs a local chapter in the Tea Party movement.

2012 U.S. Senate election

Main article: United States Senate election in Pennsylvania, 2012

Smith entered the Republican race for United States Senate, and in April 2012 won the five-way primary race with 43% of the vote. 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 attempted to walk back his statement, saying that he was not equating the two situations, but that "a father's position" was similar.

Smith lost in the general election to Casey.

Political positions

On September 7, 2012, Smith released the full text of his five-point economic plan entitled, Restoring the American Dream. 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.

Smith believes that life begins at conception, stating, "My stance is on record and its very simplistic: I'm pro-life, period", and he believes abortion should be banned with no exceptions, including in circumstances of rape and incest.

Personal life

After graduation, he married his high school sweetheart. They have lived in Armstrong County for several years with seven children. His net worth is estimated between $60 to $70 million.

References

  1. "Thomas 'Tom' Joel Smith". Pennsylvania 2012 Election Center. The Washington Times. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  2. http://www.politicspa.com/tom-smith-democratic-committeeman/29916/
  3. ^ Senate candidates spar over conservative credentials; The Philadelphia Enquirer; April 4, 2012
  4. ^ "Meet Tom". Tom Smith for Senate. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  5. http://articles.mcall.com/2012-04-24/news/mc-pa-bob-casey-senate-20120424_1_tea-party-gop-primary-race-democratic-party
  6. http://www.paleadershipconference.com/speaker-bios/27-bio-tom-smith
  7. Channels: Everyone would benefit if Sen. Casey would debate Tom Smith
  8. http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/election-2012/candidates/146153735.html?keywords=%22Tom+%20Smith%22&author=y&sort=date
  9. http://www.politicspa.com/smith-tax-votes-play-in-senate-campaign/33188/
  10. Infield, Tom (April 25, 2012). "Smith wins GOP Senate nod". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  11. Gibson, Keegan (April 16, 2012). "Where's Tom Smith?". PoliticsPA. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  12. Brennan, Kevin (April 24, 2012). "Smith Wins Pennsylvania Senate GOP Primary". National Journal. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  13. ^ Senate candidate Tom Smith tangled up over rape and abortion
  14. Smith Makes Abortion Gaffe; Politics PA; August 28, 2012
  15. Green, Joshua (November 6, 2012). "Obama Wins, Big Time". Business Week.
  16. Smith, Tom (September 25, 2012). "Restoring the American Dream." Smartvoter.org. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  17. Wereschagin, Mike (September 19, 2012). "‘Simplicity is big key’ to Senate Candidate Smith’s Tax Plan." TribLive.com. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  18. New Smith Ad Aims at Policy (Also Casey). Watch Video
  19. http://www.ontheissues.org/social/Tom_Smith_Abortion.htm
  20. http://wesa.fm/2012/08/27/pa-gop-sen-candidate-says-no-exception-abortion
  21. http://blogs.philadelphiaweekly.com/phillynow/2012/08/28/tom-smith%E2%80%99s-rape-gaffe-offers-insight-into-conservative-domination/
  22. Tom Smith on Abortion; On the Issues; October 22, 2012
  23. http://www.politicspa.com/casey-to-donors-polls-have-warning-signals/37116/

External links

Party political offices
Preceded byRick Santorum Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania
(Class 1)

2012
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