Darci Smith

Darci Smith earned a high school diploma from Roosevelt High School. Her career experience includes working as a real estate agent.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a working class bonus mom to special needs kids that has built strong skills of advocacy, problem solving, negotiation, and community through my experience in sales and real estate. I believe we need more working folks that have lived the experiences that challenge our constituents and is willing to listen and collaborate even through disagreement in order to improve the lives of people in our community.

I’m tired of seeing division push us further apart while our goals remain the same: freedom, affordability, dignity, safety and strength of community. I’m running because it’s time to do something about it.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

In a time of deep division, it’s time to bring reason, responsibility and reality back to public service. As a servant leader in my previous executive positions and an advocate as a realtor and bonus mom, I don’t turn away from a challenge. I meet people where they are, find the wins they are looking for, and problem solve to achieve goals in collaboration. I will never claim to know the answers without first meeting with people that are directly impacted by past and proposed legislation. We are Minnesotans and I know we care for one another as good neighbors and friends. We can do this together!With the working class falling further behind in affordability, we are seeing families become more burdened by the rising costs of daily needs. We must find a way to be more resourceful and efficient with the funds we receive through taxes to provide higher value to Minnesotans without increasing their cost of living through additional levies.As the daughter of a factory worker/veteran and a secretary, I grew up seeing directly how hard working families can struggle to make ends meet. I’ve lived those struggles myself, and I know what it’s like to have to prioritize bills and costs in order to feed a family and keep the lights on. When I was 17, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer which was the catastrophic event that threw my family into bankruptcy. Gratefully, she survived, but I swore to find a way to better support our communities when given the chance. Every working family deserves to afford a life of dignity and opportunities to achieve goals despite uncontrollable hardship.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I intend to close excessive loopholes for the wealthy in order to fund affordability in childcare, healthcare and housing without causing additional burden on Minnesotans. I will fight to improve efficiency in budget by supporting legislation that eliminates fraud. I will work hard to problem solve an ever changing jobs economy to ensure we are innovating new trades, supporting existing labor, while consciously protecting our precious waters and land.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Senator Tina Smith, AFL-CIO, AFSCME, Women Winning, Save the Boundary Waters, Friends of the Boundary Waters, DFLEC, DFL Feminist Caucus, MNA, MAPE