Mike Smith for Congress

Background:

I am running for Congress because I want a better future for my children. I am a lifelong resident of Central Florida and have practiced law in both the public and private sectors. I am a husband and father with deep roots in the region, and believe that our community deserves independent leadership that reflects our values and priorities.

I was raised in Ocala and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida. I then attended Stetson University College of Law, and graduated with honors.

I began my legal career as an assistant state attorney for the State of Florida, where I prosecuted child predators and drug dealers. During my time as a state prosecutor, I conducted over 50 jury trials and was specially appointed as a felony domestic violence prosecutor. I am now a partner at Morgan and Morgan in Orlando where I represent working Floridians who have been severely injured or taken advantage of by big insurance companies and large corporations.

As a father, I realize the importance of investing in our children by improving our education system, protecting our environment, and lowering the national debt. As a former prosecutor, I know what it takes to secure our communities through tougher penalties for criminals and by funding our police and first responders so they can keep our families safe.

I live with my wife of 14 years, Sandra, in Winter Garden where we are raising our two children.

Goals:

I am running for Congress to build a better America for my children. Over the past seven years, George Bush and Ric Keller have failed our country when we needed leadership most. Whether the issue was health care, the environment or the integrity of our justice system, Ric Keller has been a rubber stamp for the Bush administration’s failed policies with Bush over 85% of the time. Floridians are fed up with the Bush Administration- and with Keller. Central Florida is ready for a new outlook and real leadership in Washington-which I can provide.

Issues:

Iraq- It is time for a real plan in Iraq. It is time for Congress to take the lead- because this President and this Administration have abdicated their responsibility. It is time for accountability, competence, and real leadership. It is time to begin a phased withdrawal of our troops. We need a timeline and a deadline. And I believe that with a real strategic plan to draw down our troop levels, we can have all of our troops home, safe, within 18 months.
The status quo in Iraq is simply unacceptable-as is what happens with far too many of our brave soldiers when they return home. We are not adequately funding veterans health care, and the men and women who have served our country too often return home to find they are without the care and benefits this nation promised them. This is unacceptable, and we can do better.

Heath Care - As a father, I watch my two children, who have been blessed with good health and parents who can provide health care for them, and I know that I can imagine nothing worse than not being able to provide that security. But across Florida and across this country, too many children whose parents work are forced to go without health insurance because the family can’t afford it. Again, our country is better than that. We can and we must ensure that quality health care is accessible to everyone in this country, from children to senior citizens.
That’s why I support the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which covers more than 300,000 Florida kids. It’s why I will work to secure and strengthen Medicare. And it’s why I will work to find ways to make health care more affordable, such as allowing Medicare to negotiate bulk discounts for prescription drugs.

Environment: The Bush Administration’s anti-environmental agenda has damaged our air, our water, and our climate. And we call pay the price for that. This Administration has cowtowed to the wishes of their friends in the oil companies. We ought to be making use of the best, newest technologies out there. We should be finding ways to decrease our dependence on fossil fuels. We should be keeping Florida’s coasts pristine. But instead, this Administration talks about drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge, and putting oil rigs on our coastline. Instead of looking for cleaner, smarter ways to power this country, they keep sacrificing our environment.

Grassroots Support:

Grassroots organizing will be a key part of our success strategy. Given the competitive primary, we will need to have a strong focus on direct contact with voters. Only a handful of voters will come out to vote in the primary-and we need to capitalize on building strong, long-lasting relationships with them over the next 8 months. Grassroots organizing is key to our success.

DFA Values:

Fiscal restraint is important to me-American families have to spend within their means, and so should the government. I am a staunch supporter of the new Pay-As- You-Go rules, which require Congress to tell us where the money they are spending is coming from-and mandate that they can’t spend more than they take in.

Socially, however, I am a progressive. I believe all Americans should be treated equally and that all deserve the same chance to succeed. I believe in defending a woman’s right to choose. And I am a firm believer that if we fail to invest in our children, we are failing ourselves and our country’s future. I also support undoing the severe damage that has been done to destroy the Americans right to privacy, legal representation and protection under the law.