Doug Smith (politician)

Last updated

Doug Smith
Member of the West VirginiaHouseofDelegates
from the 27th district
Assumed office
2020
Personal details
Born
Douglas D. Smith

(1967-01-01) January 1, 1967 (age 56)
Waterloo, Iowa, U.S.
Political party Republican
Alma mater
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/service Flag of the United States Army.svg Army
Years of service1984–2018
Awards

Douglas D. Smith (born January 1, 1967) is an American politician who has served as a Delegate from the 27th District to the West Virginia House of Delegates since 2020. He is a Republican.

Contents

Early life, education, and career

Smith was born in Waterloo, Iowa. He received a B.S. in criminal justice at Wichita State University in 1989. In 2006, he received a Master of Public Administration in the same field. Smith graduated from the United States Army War College in 2012. Smith served in the United States Army from 1984 to 2018. [1] [2] [3]

Elections

2020

In his first primary, Smith competed in a five-way race, being nominated alongside two fellow Republicans. Smith received 19.94% of the vote. [4] Incumbent Eric Porterfield finished last, failing to be nominated. [2] [5]

In the general, Smith defeated Democrat Tina Russell with 28.30% of the vote. [6]

Tenure

Committee assignments

Abortion

Smith opposes abortion except in the case of rape or incest. He supports legislation like the Hyde Amendment. [3]

COVID-19 Pandemic

Smith voted for House Bill 335, which makes it more difficult for businesses to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for their workers. The law made it easier for workers to use medical or religious exemptions to evade such mandates. However, Smith opposes exemptions from vaccines already mandated in public schools. [3] [8]

Crime

Smith supports capital punishment. He believes in the use of private prisons but opposes mandatory minimums for non-violent drug offenders. [3] In 2021, when fellow Republican Delegate Derrick Evans was revealed to have participated in the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, Smith stated that Evans and other rioters be prosecuted and suggested that Evans resign. Evans was arrested the day after Smith made his remarks. [9] [10]

Economy

Smith supports reducing property taxes. [3] He voted for House Bill 3300, which would significantly reduce the West Virginia income tax. [11] Smith supports reducing government regulations on business, endorsing a "business-friendly environment."

Smith supports an increase in the minimum wage and supports paid family leave. However, he opposes requiring paid medical leave during public health emergencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Smith endorsed relief for corporations harmed by the pandemic, like the CARES Act. He supports increased state funding for renewable energy. [2] [3]

Smith penned an op-ed opposing President Joe Biden's climate and social spending package known as the Build Back Better Act. Smith primarily opposed the proposed increase in the corporate tax rate, which he said would harm the economy and West Virginian businesses. The provision was later stripped from the plan. [12] [13]

Education

Smith was the lead sponsor of House Bill 2012, which increased the allowed number of charter schools in West Virginia from three to ten. The legislation was signed by West Virginia governor Jim Justice in March 2021. Smith also suggested that West Virginia students could receive their education through virtual charter schools as well. [14] [15] [16]

Gun rights

Smith opposes most forms of gun control, including requiring gun licenses and background checks. He has a "AQ" rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund and was endorsed by them in his 2020 campaign. [17] Smith was the lead sponsor of House Bill 2364, which would allow concealed carry for school staff. He also was the lead sponsor of a bill to permit concealed carry on the grounds of the West Virginia capitol. Neither bill made it to a vote before the full House of Delegates. [3] [7] [18]

Transgender rights

Smith opposes including sexual orientation and gender identity in anti-discrimination laws. He voted for Senate Bill 341, a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing on the team that aligns with their gender identity. [3] [19]

Personal life

Smith is married to Shirley Smith. He is a Catholic and a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is a recipient of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal, among other awards for his service in the US Army. [3] [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 "West Virginia Delegate Biography: Delegate Smith". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "Doug Smith (West Virginia)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Doug Smith's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  4. ↑ "2020 Primary Election: House of Delegates 27th District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Controversial Delegate Porterfield Finishes Fifth in 3-seat Primary". Metro News. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  6. ↑ "2020 General Election: House of Delegates 27th District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  7. 1 2 "Member Profiles: Delegate Smith". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  8. ↑ Ridenour, Cory. "West Virginia Governor Approves Medical and Religious Exemptions From COVID-19 Vaccination Mandates". National Law Review. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  9. ↑ Boothe, Charles. "Colleague Wants Delegate Disqualified from House Post". Bluefield Daily Telegraphy. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  10. ↑ Boothe, Charles. "Legislators Condemn D.C. Turmoil". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  11. ↑ "House Bill 3300". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  12. ↑ Smith, Doug. "Any New Tax Hikes Will be a Bad Move". Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  13. ↑ Jagoda, Naomi. "Sinema's Office Outlines Opposition to Tax Rate Hikes". The Hill. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  14. ↑ Beck, Erin. "Post-Crossover Day, Here's What's Still in Play in the West Virginia Legislature". West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  15. ↑ Beck, Erin. "Halfway Through Session, Lawmakers Have Prioritized Benefits for Businesses". Montgomery Herald. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  16. ↑ Quinn, Ryan. "WV Republicans are Pushing Virtual Charters After Public Schools Struggled Amid COVID-19. But Whether They'd Do Better is in Doubt". West Virginia Gazette-Mail. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  17. ↑ "NRA-PVF | Grades | West Virginia". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  18. ↑ Quinn, Ryan. "Beyond Charters, Vouchers: The Lesser-Known WV Education Bills that Did, and Didn't, Pass this Session". West Virginia Gazette-Mail. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  19. ↑ Adams, Steven Allen. "Bill blocking transgender students from certain sports passes West Virginia House". Parkersburg News and Sentinel. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
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