Steve Smith has apparently worn out his welcome in the House GOP Caucus:
Republican House Speaker Kurt Zellers announced today that he’s backing Cindy Pugh over Rep. Steve Smith, R-Mound, in the August 14 primary. On his Facebook page, Zellers said he was backing Pugh because she “will represent the conservative values of the district.”
“On important issues like education, government reform and protecting child care providers from forced unionization, I know where Cindy stands. She stands with students, with taxpayers and with families. She isn’t someone who is going to let a special interest push her around.”
“Cindy is a true conservative, and she’s proven it through her years working on behalf of conservatives as a party and local volunteer. She is endorsed by the Republican Party, and is going to stand up for what is right, limited government, lower taxes and economic freedom. A vote for Cindy is a vote for the principles that make us conservative.”
Smith’s biggest sin is that he hasn’t listened to his constituents. In a deep red district, Smith has voted like Ron Earhardt or Arne Carlson. Meanwhile, Cindy Pugh is a solid conservative, a reliable vote for economic liberty and limited government.
Ms. Pugh’s website provides a glimpse into her agenda:
I have been an entrepreneur, a successful small business owner, and was the general manager of the downtown St. Paul Dayton’s store for many years. I became politically active a few years ago because I didn’t feel our elected officials were defending the values of fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government, free markets and individual liberty and responsibility.
My top priorities as a legislator will be to foster job creation by reducing taxes and burdensome regulations on businesses, to keep spending in check with existing revenue, and to return meaningful control of public schools to parents and local school boards.
It’s time for the people to have a champion for their causes. It’s time to defeat a career politician who isn’t representing his district.
Tags: RINO, Steve Smith, Conservative, Cindy Pugh, Kurt Zellers, GOP, Primary
My first question is: What took Zellers so long to make an endorsement? What was he waiting for? To see which way the winds were blowing before making his choice?
I wish I could link this YouTube video to this story – but I’m at work and can’t. But go to that website and you can find a 12 minute video interview of Steve Smith by the Lake Minnetonka Cable Commission.
In that interview, he essentially refers to the 2010 class of House freshmen as “ideologues”, attempt to defend his vote for the Vikings stadium in a most phony way and at the end encourages Democrats to cross over and vote for him in the primary. He goes on to state that the GOP caucus never really tried to reach out and compromise with Governor Dayton.
This video alone should serve as sufficient grounds for his defeat in the primary.
Last weekend, I drove out from Minneapolis to Mound to help Dave Osmek in his campaign for state senate. Dave is running against Connie Doepke, another GOP House member with a record of bad votes. Pugh’s people were right ahead of us. They were pumped up and well-organized. They look ready to win.
Steve, Thanks for that GOTV information. It sounds like motivated people matter in elections because they’re the ones that actually show up, knock on doors, put up signs, write checks, etc. It sounds like Osmek & Pugh have those supports, Doepke and Smith don’t.
My message to Doepke and Smith is simple. Good riddance.
Gary, I can’t speak with Smith’s campaign but I have heard that Doepke is well-funded.
She gets money from the Lake Minnetonka Chamber Of Commerce/Twin West PAC crowd. You know the type of people I’m talking about. She also transferred money from her House account in preparation for her Senate bid.
On Facebook and on Free Republic, I’ve been trying to get people riled up about Osmek’s and Pugh’s races. Both Osmek and Pugh are working hard. Ask Osmek. He’s lost over 20 pounds since the race started. But money will also take a candidate a long way as well.
I’ve written some checks to both candidates and every weekend, have driven from right in Minneapolis out to Mound and Wayzata. Both campaigns need more cash and more volunteers.
This race is not solely about the Tea Party vs the country club GOP. It’s about electing officials who’ll do what they say and who won’t turn around and kick the base in the butt every free chance they get. That’s what Doepke and Smith (an by association, Jim Abeler and Rod Hamilton) have done.
Keep doing what you’re doing Steve. You’re doing the Lord’s work.
If there’s a lesson we should take from 2010, it’s that money isn’t the deciding factor. Just ask Chip Cravaack.