U.S. House of Representatives 8th District candidate: Jason Smith

Name Jason Smith

Age 36

Place of birth St. Louis, MO - 9 days later moved to Salem, MO

Spouse's, children's names

N/A

Education

B.S., Agriculture Economics - University of Missouri - Columbia

B.S., Business Administration - University of Missouri - Columbia

Law Degree - Oklahoma City University

Occupation Small Business Owner, Lawyer, Real Estate Agent, Family Farm Owner

Employer The hardworking families of southeast and south central Missouri

Businesses owned, all or part

Smith Farms

Smith & Parker Enterprises

Public offices held or sought; give dates

Missouri State Representative, 2006 – 2013

Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem, 2013

U.S. House of Representatives, Missouri 8th District, 2013 - Present

Website http://www.electjasonsmith.com/

Email jasonsmithforcongress@gmail.com

Phone (573) 803-2084

How would you balance the federal budget?

One of the first bills I introduced was a balanced budget amendment to our Constitution, because if it is good enough for the folks of Missouri then it is good enough for Washington. Every American family is doing more with less, there is no reason your government should not do the same. We also need to enact pro-growth policies which gets Washington off the backs of every family, farmer and small business owner.

What steps would you take to address gun violence in the U.S.?

As the only candidate endorsed by the National Rifle Association, I can tell you that politically charged terms like 'gun violence' are what is used by the Liberal Left to restrict our Constitutionally protected rights. The Second Amendment is under assault by this administration and its liberal allies. Restricting our personal freedoms is un-American, and doing so at a time when we are all feeling less safe from threats of terror is unconscionable.

Poverty is among the top issues throughout Missouri's 8th District. What are your strategies to improve the district's economy and create more jobs?

The best way out of poverty is a good paying job. Over 175,000 pages of federal regulations, one of the highest tax rates in the world and a federal debt eclipsing $20 trillion is suffocating job growth in this country. That is why I have authored and passed proposals to balance the budget, rid the federal register of outdated, burdensome and duplicative regulations and am authoring a simpler, fairer and flatter tax code.

A constant criticism of Congress is gridlock caused by party clashes. What efforts would you make to work with both parties to pass bills that will improve the state and the district?

What generates partisan gridlock is vastly different perspectives on how to solve the biggest problems facing our country. No party owns a monopoly on good ideas. I will always work with mayors, farmers, business owners, and Members of Congress from both parties. You don't have to agree with someone 100% of the time to work with them, developing relationships and understanding folks helps identify where you agree and how to accomplish the most for Missouri.