Become part of the movement for unbiased, accessible election information. Donate today.
Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr.
Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr. (Independent Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 9th Congressional District. He did not appear on the ballot for the general election on November 8, 2022. He did not appear on the ballot for the Democratic primary on August 23, 2022. He did not appear on the ballot for the Republican primary on August 23, 2022.
Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr. was born in Daytona Beach, Florida. He graduated from Potomac High School in 2007 and earned a bachelor's degree from Bethune-Cookman University in 2012. Smith's professional experience includes working as the CEO of Mayflower-Plymouth Capital, LLC. Previously, he worked as an NMLSR mortgage banker and as an author.
As of 2019, Smith was affiliated with the Grand Lodge of Free And Accepted Masons of Florida, American Bankers Association, and Heritage Foundation.[1][2]
Elections
2022
See also: Florida's 9th Congressional District election, 2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Florida District 9
Incumbent Darren Soto defeated Scotty Moore in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 9 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Darren Soto (D) | 53.6 | 108,541 |
 | Scotty Moore (R)  | 46.4 | 93,827 | |
| Total votes: 202,368 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr. (Independent Party)
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Darren Soto advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 9.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 9
Scotty Moore defeated Jose Castillo, Adianis Morales, and Sergio Ortiz in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 9 on August 23, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Scotty Moore | 55.9 | 16,971 |
 | Jose Castillo | 24.8 | 7,537 | |
 | Adianis Morales | 13.1 | 3,969 | |
 | Sergio Ortiz | 6.3 | 1,900 | |
| Total votes: 30,377 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Becky E. Hites (R)
- Sam Farber (R)
- Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr. (R)
- Bill Olson (R)
- Alycia Barnard (R)
- Daniel Anthony (R)
2020
See also: Florida's 9th Congressional District election, 2020
Florida's 9th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 18 Republican primary)
Florida's 9th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 18 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Florida District 9
Incumbent Darren Soto defeated Bill Olson and Clay Hill in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 9 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Darren Soto (D) | 56.0 | 240,724 |
 | Bill Olson (R) | 44.0 | 188,889 | |
| Clay Hill (No Party Affiliation) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 25 | ||
| Total votes: 429,638 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Edgar Hernandez Reyes (Unaffiliated)
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Darren Soto advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 9.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 9
Bill Olson defeated Christopher Wright, Jose Castillo, and Sergio Ortiz in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 9 on August 18, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Bill Olson | 48.6 | 20,751 |
 | Christopher Wright | 22.7 | 9,677 | |
| Jose Castillo | 20.1 | 8,595 | |
| Sergio Ortiz | 8.6 | 3,680 | |
| Total votes: 42,703 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr. completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Smith's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
- Holistic Solutions
- Self Accountability
- Improved Infrastructure
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr. completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Smith's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Economic Diversification, Sustainable Development, Employment
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Economic Diversification, Sustainable Development, Employment
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I look up to Marianne Williamson because she has a holistic perspective on leadership and politics.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
Basic Economics' by Thomas Sowell
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Courage, Empathy, A Get it done attitude
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
Courage, Empathy, A Get it done attitude
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Present, Pass, Sponsor and Vote on Bills that will help my constituents prosper.
What legacy would you like to leave?
to make Floridas 9th congressional district, and central florida more broadly, a more prosperous place to live and raise a family.
What is your favorite book? Why?
The Theory of Moral Sentiments' by Adam Smith because he illustrates the intimate connections between human social functioning, economics, and politics.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My garden - because it teaches a lot about economics actually. a good economy functions similarly to a healthy garden. You'll see themes of reciprocity, growth, and balance in each.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Cory Asbury - Reckless Love
What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?
We need to facilitate more reciprocity in our economy and we need to get serious about sustainable development. Also, due to our changing demographics, we need to begin initiatives that foster more dialogue and compassion between the various races and ethnicities we have here. We are one nation, and as Lincoln said "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Budget, Education and Labor, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Science Space Technology, Ways and Means
Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?
Yes
What are your thoughts on term limits?
I agree.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Ballotpedia biographical submission form
The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:
| “ | What is your political philosophy?
Conservative Democrat who places major emphasis on economics. Running for office because Central Florida's economy presently is too dependent on tourism and desperately needs to diversify. Our dependency on tourism is unsustainable and its time to start expanding other industries in the area and diversifying our economic mix.[3] |
” |
| —Hendrith Smith[2] | ||
See also
2022 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted on Ballotpedia’s biographical information submission form on June 19, 2019
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Information submitted on Ballotpedia’s biographical information submission form on December 11, 2021
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
