Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

Rick Smith is a husband and father, dedicated to raising his children and protecting their futures; a small business owner trying to make ends meet for his family and provide jobs for others in the community; a former U.S. Marine and veteran of the Gulf War.

A patriot who believes the oath he took to defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States did not expire when he left the U. S. Marine Corps, Rick knows that defense must start at home. He firmly believes that all Americans have the same rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness -- and that the sole responsibility of Government is the safeguarding of those inalienable rights. Rick is prepared to defend and protect the rights of his neighbors, and serve as the voice of the people.
Growing up in a single-parent home, well below the poverty level, Rick knows first-hand the struggles and obstacles facing our families. He also knows that with a tenacious spirit, a hearty work ethic, and the love and support of his family, there is no such thing as an insurmountable obstacle. Rick is prepared to tackle the challenges facing the families of the 50th District.

From repairing aircraft in the hot desert sands of Saudi Arabia to leading projects in the air-conditioned boardrooms of corporate America, to the purchase and expansion of his family-run business in Caswell County, Rick has experienced the rewards and challenges of being both an employee and an employer. Rick knows the frustrations of trying to make ends meet in a system that seems stacked against us -- where we are told that the answer is always "just a little more government", "just a few more tax dollars" -- from politicians who have lost touch with the people they were hired to represent.

The time for politicians in Raleigh is over, what North Carolina needs are Statesmen. It is time that we start judging our representatives not by how much tax money they can funnel to pork projects that only serve to extend their careers and reward their friends, but instead judge their work by the dollars that stay in the hands of the men and women who worked so hard to earn them.

It is time we were able to open the newspaper or turn on the television and not be bombarded with the latest scandal involving yet another disgraced politician. It is time we elect men and women of integrity, who will work to restore honor to a government that has become synonymous with greed, corruption and dishonesty.

It is time we stopped spending our children and grandchildren into lives of bondage, inflicting upon them a state and national debt they can never repay. It is time we insisted our leaders be prudent in their spending and wise in their decision making. It is time we insist on protecting our children’s future.

In short -- it is time for new leadership in Raleigh. It is time to elect Rick Smith to the North Carolina House of Representatives.