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Quacy Smith
Quacy Smith (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Arizona's 9th Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Quacy Smith was born in Palm Springs, California. Smith's career experience includes working as an attorney and small business owner. He has served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Smith earned a bachelor's degree from Union Institute and University in 2008, a Ph.D. from the Feltus Theological Seminary in 2006, and a law degree from the Phoenix School of Law in 2013.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Arizona's 9th Congressional District election, 2024
Arizona's 9th Congressional District election, 2024 (July 30 Republican primary)
Arizona's 9th Congressional District election, 2024 (July 30 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Arizona District 9
Incumbent Paul Gosar defeated Quacy Smith in the general election for U.S. House Arizona District 9 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Paul Gosar (R) | 65.3 | 249,583 |
 | Quacy Smith (D)  | 34.7 | 132,640 | |
| Total votes: 382,223 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Arizona District 9
Quacy Smith advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Arizona District 9 on July 30, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Quacy Smith | 100.0 | 33,784 |
| Total votes: 33,784 | |||
| = 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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- David Lucier (D)
- Brandon Donnelly (D)
- Nicholas Blair (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Arizona District 9
Incumbent Paul Gosar advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Arizona District 9 on July 30, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Paul Gosar | 100.0 | 89,308 |
| Total votes: 89,308 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Smith in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Quacy Smith completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. 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.
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- A Better Choice! Arizona's 9th Congressional District has not been well served in recent years; in fact, there has been a severe lack of representation in regards to the will of the people. The current officeholder holds extreme MAGA views that are not in touch with the majority of voters of the 9th District. It is time for a change - the voters deserve better. They deserve a representative who will head to Washington to represent their concerns and fight for their interests. There is no more time to waste for the residents of CD9 to have effective representation. There are far too many important issues to address in the lives of everyday Arizonans - access to healthcare, affordable housing, water concerns, and so many more.
- In light of the recent Arizona Supreme Court ruling banning access to safe and legal abortion, it is crucial that we energize the voters of the 9th District, and across the state, to vote on the upcoming AAA ballot measure in November. The women of Arizona must be able to make decisions regarding their healthcare and reproductive care needs. These decisions should be made between women and their healthcare providers. No government entity or politician should have a say in these private matters. It is essential that we, as Arizonans, mobilize to ensure that this right is restored in this upcoming general election. For Arizona women, and those that love them, we need to ensure that protections are back in place to seek safe abortion care.
- Given that the 9th Congressional District of AZ is home to one of the fastest growing areas in the Nation, is it imperative that we address concerns regarding population growth, housing availability and affordability, and the supporting infrastructure. Development is exploding in the West Valley, and while economic development is welcomed, the residents of the area have serious concerns about quality of life issues. Water scarcity is an issue that is brought up often by residents, in regards to the usage by businesses and agricultural operations. These issues need to be addressed by partners at all levels, both in state and in Washington, DC.
Should President Biden be re-elected, we will have a number of challenges to grapple with, including:
-Comprehensive Immigration Reform:
There is no question that the United States needs to deal with the issues at our Southern Border. We also need to overhaul our immigration system to reward those who go through the process legally. This will take Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike to come together, to enact meaningful reform. It is shameful that the recent efforts to pass a comprehensive package in Congress was thwarted for political expediency. This should most certainly be one of the priorities of the next session of Congress.
-Access to/Cost of Quality Healthcare:
With the flight of medical professionals from many corners of the country, particularly in rural areas, there will be a continuation of issues in regards to access to quality care at an affordable cost.
-Climate Change:
It will be imperative to continue to educate the public, and keep corporate partners accountable, in regards to mitigating climate change. Our global temperatures are hitting records monthly, and this is an area that needs more attention and focus so that we can preserve our way of life and our environment, particularly here in Arizona.
-Affordable Housing:
State Rep. Marcelino Quiñonez, LD11
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.
Campaign website
Smith’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Position on the Issues Effective and Actionable Quacy’s priorities for his campaign touch upon issues that affect voters in his region. VOTING RIGHTS Quacy’s stance on voting rights is deeply rooted in the principles of democracy and fair representation. He is committed to ensuring that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to vote and that their vote matters. His policies aim to expand access to voting and advocate for reasonable voter ID laws, both of which are critical to ensuring that all citizens can participate in the democratic process. Quacy is also dedicated to protecting against voter suppression and restoring voting rights for former felons, issues that have been at the forefront of recent debates on voting rights. Furthermore, he encourages participation among underrepresented groups and ensures election security. Quacy holds a strong commitment to upholding the integrity of our electoral process and ensuring that the voices of all people are heard. WOMEN’S RIGHTS Quacy strongly believes in the pursuit of Women’s Rights as a fundamental part of creating a more perfect union and a better future. This belief is rooted in the conviction that we can and should do better in supporting gender equality. Quacy advocates for equal opportunities for women in all spheres, including the workplace, education, and politics, which are key areas that directly impact women’s lives and their ability to contribute to society. Another important aspect of Quacy’s stance is the promotion of work-life balance. This is a critical issue for many women who juggle multiple roles in their personal and professional lives. By advocating for policies that support work-life balance, Quacy aims to create an environment where women can thrive both at work and at home. Quacy is a staunch supporter of reproductive rights, firmly believing that women should have the right to make decisions about their own reproductive health. In addition, Quacy is committed to combating gender-based violence and promoting the representation of women in leadership roles and political forums. These efforts are aimed at empowering women and providing them with the opportunities they need to succeed. REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS Quacy is a strong advocate for women’s reproductive rights, believing in a woman’s right to make decisions about her own reproductive health. He supports legislation that establishes a woman’s right to choose a reasonable framework of regulations to ensure safe and responsible procedures. Quacy also emphasizes the importance of preventing unintended pregnancies through increased access to contraception and comprehensive sex education. He opposes extreme measures on both sides of the reproductive rights debate. He rejects overly restrictive bans and laws, but also opposes efforts to expand rights without any reasonable limitations. He believes that reproductive rights legislation must thoughtfully balance a woman’s fundamental right to privacy and the prevailing public interest. He seeks common ground between pro-choice and pro-life advocates by promoting policies that aim to reduce the overall number of abortions while respecting women’s autonomy. This includes supporting adoption programs and providing increased support for pregnant women. He also supports initiatives aimed at making reproductive healthcare, including contraception and family planning services, affordable and accessible. HEALTHCARE Quacy’s position on healthcare is rooted in the belief that it is an essential component of a functioning democracy and that the government has a great responsibility to provide for the well-being of its citizens. He supports policies aimed at expanding access to healthcare, improving its affordability, and addressing health disparities. Quacy believes in improving and building upon the current system, such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), rather than advocating for a complete overhaul. He supports policies that introduce incremental reforms that address specific issues without disrupting the entire system. He advocates for moving toward a system of universal healthcare coverage, where all Americans have access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare. He supports the inclusion of a public option as part of healthcare reform to increase competition, lower costs, and provide additional choices for consumers. He also supports policies that involve collaboration between the public and private sectors, including initiatives that encourage public-private partnerships to improve healthcare delivery, infrastructure, and/or research. He understands that a hybrid model will favor market-based approaches to healthcare reform. This might include promoting competition among private insurers, encouraging innovation, and implementing policies that aim to increase transparency and reduce costs within the healthcare marketplace. However, he will not support Market-Based solutions that are detrimental to citizens. He will emphasize the need to address high prescription drug prices and supports expanding Medicaid. Lastly, Quacy will pass and support legislation that emphasizes the importance of preventive care and public health initiatives to reduce overall healthcare costs and improve population health outcomes. BORDER SECURITY/IMMIGRATION REFORM Quacy firmly supports the securing of the borders immediately to prevent illegal entry. He supports comprehensive immigration reform, including enhanced border security without racially charged rhetoric, and creating realistic pathways to legal status for undocumented immigrants. He emphasizes a humane approach to immigration, supporting measures to improve conditions for asylum-seekers. His immigration reform considers the country’s economic and labor market needs, evaluating visa programs to meet labor demands. He promotes immigrant integration into society, supporting language programs and cultural assimilation initiatives. He calls for bipartisan collaboration for meaningful immigration reform, upholds the rule of law, and advocates for increased support for border states and cities impacted by current immigration policies. SOCIAL SECURITY/ RETIREMENT PROTECTION Quacy is committed to protecting and strengthening Social Security, emphasizing the importance of retirement protection. He advocates for sustainable funding to ensure the program’s long-term solvency and rejects any reductions in benefits. Quacy supports expanding Social Security benefits, particularly for vulnerable populations such as low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. He opposes efforts to privatize Social Security, believing it could expose retirees to market risks. He emphasizes the importance of protecting Social Security Disability Insurance benefits and opposes proposals that involve cutting Social Security benefits. Quacy supports policies promoting retirement security, including initiatives encouraging retirement savings and workplace pension plans. He champions the protection of traditional pension plans, promotion of retirement savings, and expansion of access to retirement savings vehicles. He addresses income inequality, supports policies for long-term care challenges, and advocates for financial regulations and consumer protection measures to safeguard retirees from financial exploitation and fraud. SECOND AMENDMENT POLICIES AND PROTECTIONS Quacy’s stance on Second Amendment protections and gun reform balances the right to bear arms with common-sense measures to enhance public safety. He fully recognizes the Second Amendment as a constitutional right that should not be disturbed. However, he recognizes the importance of public safety and the challenges to policing due to the lack of reasonable gun reform. Accordingly, Quacy does support comprehensive, enforceable background checks for all gun sales, including private sales and online purchases. He advocates for closing loopholes in gun sales at shows and online marketplaces. He supports the development of red flag laws, allowing temporary firearm removal from individuals posing a danger due to mental health issues or other factors. He emphasizes the need to better enforce existing gun laws. He promotes responsible gun ownership through education and training, and supports, in some instances, mandatory firearm safety courses for gun owners. He advocates for increased funding for research on gun violence and urges bipartisan solutions to address gun violence, aiming to unite lawmakers from different political perspectives. CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM Quacy’s approach to criminal justice reform seeks a harmony between maintaining a fair and effective system and addressing issues of over incarceration and systemic bias. He supports sentencing reform, focusing on fair, proportionate laws and reducing mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent offenses. Quacy also advocates for rehabilitation and reentry programs, providing access to education, job training, and mental health services to reduce reoffending. He supports measures to enhance police accountability and transparency, such as body-worn cameras, independent oversight, and improved de-escalation training. He endorses community policing models that build positive relationships between law enforcement and communities. Quacy also believes in bail reform, supporting enhanced risk assessments and reforms to prevent pretrial detention due to inability to pay bail. His reform efforts include juvenile justice reform, emphasizing rehabilitation over punitive measures for young offenders. He supports drug policy reform, including decriminalization or legalization of certain substances and a public health approach to substance abuse. Quacy advocates for evidence-based, data-driven policies to identify effective strategies for reducing crime and improving rehabilitation outcomes. TAXES Quacy’s tax policies aim to balance the funding needs of the government while promoting economic growth, fairness, and fiscal responsibility. He supports a progressive tax system where higher-income individuals pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes. He advocates for measures that provide tax relief to the middle class, such as tax credits and deductions. He supports a balanced approach to corporate taxation, promoting measures to ensure international competitiveness and stimulate economic growth. He endorses efforts to close tax loopholes and eliminate inefficient or regressive tax provisions. He also supports targeted tax incentives to encourage investment in areas that promote economic growth. He emphasizes the importance of a simple and transparent tax system and recognizes the necessity of generating sufficient revenue to fund government programs and services. He supports reasonable reforms to the estate tax and recognizes the importance of tax policies that can adapt to economic conditions. SMALL BUSINESSES Quacy’s positions on small businesses aim to create a supportive environment for entrepreneurship and economic growth. He supports policies that improve access to capital for small businesses, such as low-interest loans, grants, or partnerships with financial institutions. Quacy advocates for a balanced regulatory environment that protects consumers and workers while avoiding unnecessary burdens on small businesses. He endorses tax policies that provide relief for small businesses, including tax credits and deductions. He recognizes the challenges small businesses face in providing healthcare benefits to employees and supports measures to address healthcare costs. He supports initiatives that help small businesses attract and retain talented employees, involving investments in education and workforce development. Quacy recognizes the importance of digital infrastructure for the success of small businesses and supports policies that expand access to broadband and technology resources. He advocates for policies that make it easier for small businesses to participate in government procurement opportunities. He supports training and support programs for small business owners, including initiatives that provide mentorship and guidance on business management. Quacy encourages small businesses to adopt environmentally and socially responsible practices and supports policies that encourage collaboration between small and large businesses. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES & SUSTAINABILITY Quacy’s environmental sustainability policies involve an approach that values environmental protection, economic considerations, and practical solutions. He supports policies that balance environmental protection with economic growth, endorses market-based approaches to environmental challenges, and advocates for investment in green technologies. He emphasizes international collaboration to address global environmental challenges and advocates for well-crafted regulations to address environmental concerns. He supports efforts to conserve and preserve natural habitats and biodiversity, and recognizes the importance of resilience and adaptation to the impacts of climate change. He values public-private partnerships to address environmental challenges and stresses the importance of engaging local communities in environmental initiatives. He supports a gradual and realistic transition to cleaner energy sources, recognizing the role of traditional energy sources in the short term while investing in renewable and low-carbon energy alternatives. ECONOMY & ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY Quacy’s economic sustainability policies aim to promote economic growth, ensure social safety nets, integrate environmental considerations, and foster long-term stability. He advocates for balanced fiscal policies that consider government spending and fiscal responsibility. Quacy supports policies that encourage economic growth, such as tax incentives for businesses, infrastructure investments, and regulatory reforms. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Quacy emphasizes the importance of social safety nets to support individuals during economic uncertainty. He recognizes the importance of integrating environmental considerations into economic policies and seeks policies that promote inclusive economic growth. Quacy strongly supports investments in education and workforce development. Quacy endorses moderate trade policies and recognizes the need for a balanced regulatory framework to ensure financial stability. He supports investments in infrastructure and will pursue policies regarding affordable housing. He believes that affordable housing is central to individual and economic prosperity. [2] |
” |
| —Quacy Smith’s campaign website (2024)[3] | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate U.S. House Arizona District 9 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 10, 2024
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ QUACY SMITH FOR CONGRESS, “Positions,” accessed July 2, 2024
