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Jessicia Smith
Jessicia Smith (Green Party) ran for election to the Michigan State Senate to represent District 14. She lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Smith graduated from Clio High School in 2005 and Mott Community College in 2008.[1]
Elections
2018
- See also: Michigan State Senate elections, 2018
General election
General election for Michigan State Senate District 14
Ruth Johnson defeated Renee Watson and Jessicia Smith in the general election for Michigan State Senate District 14 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Ruth Johnson (R) | 55.7 | 64,253 |
 | Renee Watson (D) | 42.1 | 48,578 | |
 | Jessicia Smith (G)  | 2.2 | 2,580 | |
| Total votes: 115,411 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Michigan State Senate District 14
Renee Watson defeated Cris Rariden and Jason Waisanen in the Democratic primary for Michigan State Senate District 14 on August 7, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Renee Watson | 71.3 | 16,569 |
| Cris Rariden | 18.4 | 4,269 | ||
| Jason Waisanen | 10.4 | 2,408 | ||
| Total votes: 23,246 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Michigan State Senate District 14
Ruth Johnson defeated Katherine Houston in the Republican primary for Michigan State Senate District 14 on August 7, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ruth Johnson | 76.6 | 20,958 |
| Katherine Houston | 23.4 | 6,398 | ||
| Total votes: 27,356 | |||
| = 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
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jessicia Smith 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?
Support the legalizing marijuana, (AND to expunge the record of every non-violent offender of the crime) which is on the ballot in November. Help find ways to help people afford housing and child care. Greener energies and putting those that work in those fields of Oil and Coal into other safer, cleaner, sustainable ways to produce energy. Do 2 events, volunteering, in my district every month.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Clean/Green Energy. Common sense gun laws. Living wage. We are killing our planet, and we need to put the train we are on in immediate reverse. Ending the reliance on Oil and Coal, and putting those in those fields into training to build turbines and solar panels. We are in a desperate need of a change. What we have now isn't working, one of my first things will be to work with our new governor and put forth a plan in congress to make a country wide gun purchase requirement. We have set age minimum and steps to vote, drink and smoke. Purchasing a firearm shouldn't be any different. There is no state in which one could afford a 1 bedroom at the federal minimum wage, and the average cost of a 1 bedroom would take more than half of a full time workers paycheck in MI, when most Apartment complexes require at minimum double income proof. (https://smartasset.com/mortgage/the-cost-of-living-in-michigan) We have many homeless and hurting people in this state. I would look into finding a way to take the cost of living and using that to determine the minimum wage.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
There are many I look up to, but the main being Bernie Sanders. If I get the chance to try and help people, attempt even 1/4th of what he fought for, I would be lucky and forever grateful. We all have to take that torch he started burning and run with it.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Compassion. Humility. Honesty, in that order.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I have always just wanted to help people, all people. I have always put others first. Now, I want to put all of MI first, starting with the 14th district.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
To represent their constituents. Service needs to be put back in public service. Far too long our congressman have voted in the best interest of special interests, and not the people they are supposed to represent. I am currently attending board meetings and volunteering in the community, trying to serve the people in my district.
What legacy would you like to leave?
That we (me and my husband) were helpers, and that we were enough.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The death of Princess Diana. I was 10.
What happened on your most awkward date?
My first movie date with my husband. Went to see Captain America Winter Soldier. I was sitting so I was leaning against him, and got up to use the restroom. My leg was asleep and 2 steps later, im flat on my face. He helped me up and made sure I was ok.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Halloween!! Hands down, dress up and get candy! Hang with friends and see awesome costumes.
What is your favorite book? Why?
Harry Potter Series. ( i couldn't pick just one) These 7 books have brought so many people together. Helped those who thought they were alone. Produced groups of people who pushed for civil liberties. Taught us so many life lessons, and brought many wonderful people into my life.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Nakia from Black Panther. The quote in the movie "I've seen too many in need just to turn a blind eye. I can't be happy here knowing that there's people out there who have nothing." struck me hard. She is someone who has went out of her way to save not only her people, but wants to save, everyone.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My husband and mine's collection of table top games and D&D books. We have had countless memories with friends over them and learned a lot about ourselves in the process.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Blankets and Bedding from the musical Come from Away. Its the story of those displaced on 9-11 due to the attack and were diverted to Canada. How an entire city opened their hearts and homes. That's how you help others, all the way.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
No, but it IS important for them to be involved. Have experience in Human services, in volunteering, working to help others in some way.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Repairing Flint, not just the water, but dealing with the health fallout. The extra care healthcare Flint will need due to the lead poisoning, and their distrust of the government will take generations to repair. It will take 10-20 years long term care for those effected by the lead.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
That they should do what they believe is best for their state and then congress tells him if that is what people want, or if it will really help them. He should listen to what other congressman, and experts, have to say.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Yes. You need to work together. Even if you dont agree on all things, you have to work together to get work done.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
I do not know what the best change would be to avoid Gerrymandering, I will need to do more research.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Housing and Urban Affairs, Education, Health, if there is a Human services, or Energy and Natural resources.
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
Not at this time, I just want to give my district a voice in Lansing.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Bernie Sanders, hands down.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
yes, I want to help as many people as I can.
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.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted through Ballotpedia's biographical submission form on June 7, 2018.
