Campaign Website:
https://electneilsmith.com

Campaign POC:

Phone Number: 757-515-6367

Campaign Email: neil@electneilsmith.com

Vetting Panel Selected: Pending

Structured Interview Completed: Pending

Biography: Born in Atlantic City, NJ in 1984. Attended school at St. Nicholas School (Pre-K – 3rd) Leeds Avenue (4th – 8th), Pleasantville High School (9th & 10th), Hammonton High School (11th & 12th). Entered the navy after high school as a nuclear reactor operator. Assigned to aircraft carriers George Washington and Theodore Roosevelt. Honorable discharged in April 2011 after 8-1/2 years of service. Started working as a field service technician. Worked in medical diagnostics and then lighting controls. Now working as a contractor for Military Sealift Command, NOAA, and Navy. Hold a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering Technology from Excelsior College. Working on Masters of Engineering in Systems Engineering at Old Dominion University. Expect to graduate in December 2022.

Why you? I have no ties to lobbyists for corporations. I have no allegiances to any politicians or political groups. I believe many issues can be worked out but one has to be willing to compromise where they can. While I am a veteran, I believe military spending can be reduced with little-to-no impact on our defense abilities. I am a working class individual, so I know more about what others like me need and want. I do not make promises because they are hollow and easily swept aside. I know I do not have all the answers and I will not pretend I do. I seek input from the stakeholders, in this case the people I hope to represent. I believe transparency is important in politics and I aim to be transparent in what I do.

What are your priorities?
Equal rights for all (LGBTQ+, women, minorities)
Healthcare, including mental health
Education

Endorsements: Did not answer.

Education: 
B.S. Nuclear Engineering Technology – Excelsior College – 2019
Graduate student at Old Dominion University

Relevant Employment History:  Did not answer.

Military Experience / Branch / Years of Service / Rank / Type of Discharge: 
US Navy
Electronics Technician (Nuclear)
ETN2/PO2
8-1/2 years
Honorable Discharge

Past Offices Held and Tenure: None

Community Service: Did not answer.

Leadership Experience:
Supervisory positions held in Navy.
Field Service Manager for Western US (west of Mississippi River) for The Bella Rose Group, Inc.

Personal Strengths:  Did not answer.

What is the most important thing Virginians need to know about you? I will represent the people, not corporations.

How would your friends and family describe you? Stubborn, fun/funny, intelligent, loyal 

What are your thoughts on the Constitution as the Law of the Land? It is a good starting point but cannot cover everything. Other laws should complement the constitution, not go against it. However, one must remember that the spirit of the law is more applicable as there is much the founding fathers did not anticipate when writing it.

What are your thoughts on religious liberty? As long as you peacefully practice your religion I have no issues. It is when one uses religion as a way to attack others that I have issues.

What are your thoughts on the preservation of our history? We need to learn from history. We should celebrate the good and take lessons from the bad. We cannot rewrite our history but we can write our future.

What are your thought on government transparency? It barely exists at this point but it should exist. Government is meant to serve the people so we should know what is going on.

What are your thoughts on national defense? We need to be ready for anything but we should not act as though there is an unlimited budget.

What are your thoughts on the free enterprise system? I think it is a good thing, but there needs to be some control. Prices are getting out of control.

What are your thoughts on the protection of the unborn? I would not tell someone what they can and cannot do with their body. I do believe once a fetus is viable it should be taken to term, but before that I am not one who can or should have an opinion. It is a medical decision.

What are your thoughts on the role the family plays in America? The role of family has diminished over time. It needs to play a greater role. Parents should be a vital part of their child’s education but that starts in the home, not at school board meetings or parent-teacher conferences.

What are your thoughts on equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity, as opposed to equal outcomes? Why should someone have less rights than others? Our constitution states all men (which I read as mankind/humans) are created equal.

What are your thoughts on the 2nd Amendment? I believe in one’s right to bear arms, responsibly. I do think more needs to be done with background checks and more, but I would never violate one’s right to keep and bear arms.

Additional sources of information on this candidate:

Instagram: TheNeilSmithVA