Fred Smith (Illinois)
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Fred Smith was a 2012 Democratic candidate who sought election to the U.S. House to represent the 1st Congressional District of Illinois. Smith has been endorsed in the Democratic primary over incumbent Bobby L. Rush.[1] Smith was defeated by incumbent Bobby L. Rush in the Democratic primary on March 20, 2012.[2]
Biography[edit]
Smith graduated from Du Sable High School and joined the United States Army.[3] He earned a B.A. in communications from Northeastern Illinois University and master's degrees in business administration (M.B.A.) and in public health (M.P.H.) from Saint Xavier University.[3]
Career[edit]
Smith's experience includes working as a program director for a youth care agency.[3]
Campaign themes[edit]
2012[edit]
On his campaign website Smith had seven leading issues that he was concerned about. They are:[4]
- Education:Excerpt: "The first step is to work with parents and educators to find ways to lower the drop-out rate...I will also fight to increase funding for vocational training and college education that all students who want to attend college or vocational training will be able to do so.When it comes to student loans, my quest will be to increase the time span in which students will have to begin their payback process. Students have up to six months after graduation before they are required to start paying back their student loans, my goal would be to increase that grace period by six months."
- Seniors:
- Veterans: Excerpt: "I will fight for stronger veteran benefits including a program that assists in the transition from military service life to civilian life when a tour of duty has ended. I would also work to establish housing that would accommodate disabled veterans, to include the fight for extended mental and physical health benefits.We must adequately fund VA hospitals in order to provide the services that all our veterans’ need, from the most recent veterans to the longtime veterans."
- Healthcare: Excerpt: "We need to find ways to make sure that all Americans have accessibility to healthcare. The Americans who are uninsured or underinsured are most likely using the emergency room as their primary doctors. People with an illness that started out as something treatable, if caught early, could have been easily prevented; instead, they culminate to a hospital’s emergency room, which now is the highest cost of healthcare. Early diagnosis and preventive care is crucial in reducing the cost of healthcare."
- Economy: Excerpt: "My plan will be to provide significant tax relief for the middle class families and small businesses...Additionally, I believe in providing tax credits to companies that create jobs... This includes investing in renewable energy to create well-paying green jobs, clean energy jobs, and working to make our region a center for technology and innovation."
- Transparency and Accountability: "As Congressman, I will post legislation that comes up for votes on the website and ask for your opinions on the legislation. After casting my vote, based upon the opinions of the people of whom I was elected to represent, I will post it on the website for public viewing. I will also post my schedule online and make myself available to all of the residents in the First Congressional District."
- Stop the Violence
Elections[edit]
2012[edit]
Smith ran in the 2012 election for the U.S. House to represent Illinois' 1st District. Smith sought the nomination on the Democratic ticket.[5][6] The signature filing deadline was December 27, 2011, and the primary took place on March 20, 2012. Incumbent Bobby Rush ran for re-election on the Democratic ticket.
Smith was endorsed in the Democratic primary over incumbent Bobby L. Rush.[1]
Incumbent Bobby Rush defeated Smith in the Democratic primary on March 20, 2012.[2]
| U.S. House, Illinois District 1 Democratic Primary, 2012 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Bobby Rush Incumbent |
83.8% | 64,533 |
| Jordan Sims | 2.6% | 1,980 |
| Clifford Russell, Jr. | 3.1% | 2,412 |
| Fred Smith | 2.9% | 2,232 |
| Raymond Lodato | 4.2% | 3,210 |
| Harold Bailey | 3.4% | 2,598 |
| Total Votes | 76,965 | |
Personal[edit]
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Smith lives in Evergreen Park with his wife Pamela and their three children. Fred has an older son who lives and attends college in Ohio.[7]
See also[edit]
- Illinois' 1st Congressional District
- Illinois' 1st Congressional District elections, 2012
- United States House of Representatives
External links[edit]
- Fred Smith's Campaign Website
- Fred Smith's YouTube Account (timed out)
- Fred Smith's Twitter Account
- Fred Smith's Online Candidates Page
- Fred Smith's LinkedIn Page
- Fred Smith for Congress Facebook Page
Footnotes[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chicago Tribune, "Contested races for the U.S. House" accessed March 12, 2012
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 ABC News 7, "Election Results Primary 2012," accessed March 20, 2012 (dead link)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Fred Smith for Congress, "About Fred Smith" accessed January 13, 2012 (timed out)
- ↑ Fred Smith for Congress, "Issues" accessed January 4, 2012
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate List," accessed December 27, 2011
- ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Illinois congressional candidates seek spots on ballot" accessed December 27, 2011
- ↑ Fred Smith for Congress, "About Fred Smith" accessed December 27, 2011 (timed out)
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