Kathy Smith

Kathy Smith graduated from Butler High School. She earned an associate degree from Butler County Community College in 2004, a bachelor's degree from Slippery Rock University in 2006, and a graduate degree from Duquesne University in 2009.

Her career experience includes working in government.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Kathy Smith—I’m the 5th child and only girl in a family of seven children and raised in Butler County. I moved away for 20 years. I supported soldiers and their families through the government jobs I held in Germany, Washington state, California, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. I know what military families and soldiers sacrifice to defend our democracy because I was a soldier’s spouse. And, I took the oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States every time I moved to a new military base and took a new government job.

Ever since I’ve moved back to Butler, PA, I have worked in healthcare, education, government and had my own video business. I am semi-retired; I currently write books and pay attention to what politicians are doing. I assist my 92-year-old mother, I assisted my 65 year-old brother through the trauma of pancreatic cancer until he died. I enjoy time with my children and grandchildren.

I am passionate about protecting America, it's laws, constitution, and from exploitation by greedy corporations and legislators.

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?

Affordable Healthcare must be available. All Pennsylvanian’s should have access to quality, affordable medical care. Decisions for healthcare should only be made by the healthcare provider and the patient or the patient’s family—not made by politicians, insurance companies or businesses. In addition, there is a healthcare worker shortage. By providing tuition for those in the healthcare field, access for everyone would improve.Education- An informed society benefits all parts of society, and Education is the key. I will promote access to learning from headstart to post graduate and technical schools for everyone who chooses. Teachers, aids, food service, library science and other occupations that support learning should be able to do their jobs without interference from government or religions. Education is the rock of our civilization that we build up from.Affordable Housing. Why do half of Americans who are 35 years old and younger still live at home? Why do so many people live in hotels, motels, cars, in friends or relative’s homes, or in the woods? There are no home builders for those who want simple living space. I will fight for practical solutions to reduce rising housing costs and offer affordable living spaces. Housing, or the lack of housing, or the cost of housing has created homelessness. The two issues go hand in hand.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about protecting citizens from corporations or wealthy interest groups that want to hide their intent, take and sell our data, use our land to benefit themselves and their stock holders while Pennsylvanians are left with polluted, unusable environment's that make them sick. As one example, I will protect people from the harm that comes from data centers and AI businesses. For the past several years, our state and nation has been moving backwards in the protections of citizens and workers. Some legislators try to protect our rights while others protect big business and the wealthy. Starvation wages are occurring now just as it did in the late 1800's to early 1900's.

I will protect citizens rights.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty. Actually doing the job they were elected to do.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The responsibilities of elected officials are: read truthful information, tell the truth, follow the laws, protect citizens from the greed of huge corporations and those who serve them.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy that showed a record of votes in the legislative body that showed I put regular citizens before and above corporate greed and income.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Newspaper delivery from age eight. I delivered the paper for seven years. At the same time, I was a babysitter.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Fair wages and getting hired in jobs that were deemed for men.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Jobs, housing and healthcare will be a huge issue. Especially when corporations are cutting costs by firing humans in order to use AI. The gap between rich and poor will only increase if nothing is done or worse, the legislators promoting data centers and AI continue giving tax breaks and secrecy licenses.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is essential in business, marriages, friendships and in politics. Negotiating is the art.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

Guerilla warfare