Thread: Smitley kicks off run for nomination

10/1/2007
Smitley kicks off run for nomination
The Times Bulletin

VAN WERT - Mike Smitley officially announced his campaign Saturday for the Republican Party nomination to fill the vacancy in Ohio's 5th Congressional district. Addressing the public in front of the Van Wert County Courthouse, Smitley opened his statement with a comparison of the current federal government to the vision of our founding fathers.

"The founding fathers of this country...had a unique and powerful vision for America. Because of that vision, it became the heart of freedom in the world," said Smitley, adding "I know the government we see today has strayed from that vision and by announcing my candidacy, it is my intention to restore the founders' vision and do my part to make this country as great as it once was or better!"

A special election to nominate the Republican Party's candidate will be the same day as the regular general election on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

When deciding to run, Smitley said, "Many of the folks I've spoken with are upset about the current state of politics and government. The encouragement I received was overwhelming.

"I am running for Congress to take this district's representation away from special interests and to return it back to its rightful owners, the voters. I'm running to stop the erosion of our Constitutional rights."

Concerning immigration, Smitley said, "Have no doubts about it, as Congressman, I will take a hard-line stance on immigration and oppose any bill that provides amnesty of any kind for illegal immigrants. To provide amnesty would be rewarding millions of people who broke the law in the first place to come here. I will support any, and all, reasonable measures to improve our border security, but the work cannot stop there. We must initiate a major overhaul of America's loosely-run welfare system and remove the incentives for abusing it."

Smitley is a sixth-generation native of the 5th District. He received the prestigious Latta Scholarship while attending Bowling Green State University to study Criminal Justice. Currently, he is a business consultant for The Cobalt Group and provides economic consulting to Volkswagen of America and Audi of America's dealer base.

Mike and his wife, the former Sarah Fetter of Sylvania, have been married for almost 9 years. They reside in Van Wert with their one-year old daughter, Mylah.

http://www.timesbulletin.com/main.asp?S ... TM=328.899

Best of Luck to him and us!