David Smalling
David Smalling (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Texas' 35th Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Smalling completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
David Smalling lives in Texas. Smalling’s career experience includes working as an electrician.[1]
Elections
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House Texas District 35
Incumbent Lloyd Doggett defeated David Smalling and Clark Patterson in the general election for U.S. House Texas District 35 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Lloyd Doggett (D) | 71.3 | 138,278 | |
David Smalling (R) ![]() | 26.0 | 50,553 | ||
![]() | Clark Patterson (L) | 2.7 | 5,236 |
Total votes: 194,067 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 35
Incumbent Lloyd Doggett advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Texas District 35 on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Lloyd Doggett | 100.0 | 32,101 |
Total votes: 32,101 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 35
David Smalling defeated Sherrill Kenneth Alexander in the Republican primary for U.S. House Texas District 35 on March 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | David Smalling ![]() | 53.3 | 7,083 | |
Sherrill Kenneth Alexander | 46.7 | 6,198 |
Total votes: 13,281 | ||||
![]() | ||||
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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Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
David Smalling completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Smalling's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
1) Our Debt is a top priority. I want to leave a legacy for our next generation, debt is not a legacy that I would be proud of. 2) We must do what Congress promised in 2004, we must fix immigration. We do not need more illegal aliens. We need a work permit for immigrants to come in and work with parity wages as long as they do not replace Americans. 3) I want to represent the people of CD 35.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, mental health for those in need. Businesses not going overseas to work. Have Apple make cell phones in the US. Corporations to lower the H1B Visas because they replace Americans in their jobs.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
All of our founders were unique individuals. They founded the greatest country ever created. Thomas Jefferson said " Politicians look forward to the next election, Statesmen look forward to the next generation." That is my purpose if elected to look forward to the next generation.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Honesty, integrity, morals, and doing their job by representing their constituents and upholding the Bill of Rights and the US Constitution.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
All of the above. I have worked my entire life with a job, I am not shy and I can work with other people. I can negotiate with others, but will not compromise my principles.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Honesty, integrity, morals, and doing their job by representing their constituents and upholding the Bill of Rights and the US Constitution. Listen to your constituents and help them with their needs. I talked to several retired teachers. They have their retirement from their Teacher Retirement System, but those who had SS deducted from their checks can only retire 40% of their allowable SS. Joe Biden as VP drew $29,000.00 in SS his full amount. Why are teachers being punished by 60% of what they are due. We need to change this.
What legacy would you like to leave?
Right as many wrongs as I can and leave a better republic for future generations.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
JFK's assassination I was 12. I did not fully understand the ramifications until months later.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My very first job at 13 was a carhop. I had it about six months, then went to work for a Dairy Queen.
What happened on your most awkward date?
I did not have any awkward dates.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Christmas, it is a holy time and it feels holy and people are happier then.
What is your favorite book? Why?
I enjoyed reading autobiographies and read many in Junior High School. Henry Ford, Andrew Carnegie, I enjoyed learning how these people thought. I know it did not tell all of the methods to take over these industries. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs would be comparable today.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Any that fight evil.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My Kitchen.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Blue Eyes.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
All life is a struggle. You just meet it head-on. You just pick up your bootstraps and move on.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
I think it is already decided.
What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?
It was designed as the closest representation of the people. It was supposed to write the budget. Because it is occupied mostly by professional politicians who are only worried about the next election not the next generations. Maybe they have been so busy keeping their jobs, they have forgotten how to do their job.
Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?
No, I think citizen legislators could do better. Go do your civil service, then go back to your job and retire from Congress.
What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?
Our Debt. One President doubled our debt, now we must get it back under control.
If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Rules Committee or Ways and Means Committee.
Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?
Yes.
What are your thoughts on term limits?
They are needed, my opponent voted against them 24 years ago as a Freshman Congressman.
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
Yes, whatever role I can help in.
Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
No.
Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
Retired teachers who paid into TRS and SS can only draw 40% of their SS if they draw TRS. This is wrong. They paid into SS and deserve it also, it is their money.
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
- United States House of Representatives
- Texas' 35th Congressional District election, 2018
- Texas' 35th Congressional District
External links
Footnotes