Rhett Rosenquest Smith

Rhett Rosenquest Smith served in the U.S. Navy from 1979 to 1983. He graduated from Eastland High School in 1968. Smith earned a B.A. in accountancy from the University of Texas at Austin in 1973. His career experience includes working as a noncommissioned officer with Allied Universal and an auditor/accountant with the Texas Department of Human Resources.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Extensive political volunteer and strategist. Previously ran for Texas state board of education. College degree from University of Texas at Austin, 1973. Served in US Navy from 1979-1983.

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?

We must deal with religious freedom. The state board of education needs guidance on this. In our courtrooms and in our schools, recognizing Christian foundations.We must protect our families and guarantee safety from foreign threats as well as domestic violence.We must recognize and honor our US veterans and their service, especially with the ongoing international conflicts abroad.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Transparency, open honesty, with voters and citizens. We must spend tax payer monies wisely and responsibly.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

The Texas Republican party

Rhett Rosenquest Smith did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Rhett Rosenquest Smith did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Rosenquest Smith participated in [the profile publisher]'s 2017 survey of municipal government candidates.[13] The following sections display his responses to the survey questions. When asked what his top priority would be if elected, the candidate made the following statement:

Understanding and reducing violent crimes and homicides[14]

—Rhett Rosenquest Smith (March 28, 2017)[15]

Ranking the issues

The candidate was asked to rank the following issues by importance in the city, with 1 being the most important and 12 being the least important: city services (trash, utilities, etc.), civil rights, crime reduction/prevention, environment, government transparency, homelessness, housing, K-12 education, public pensions/retirement funds, recreational opportunities, transportation, and unemployment. This table displays this candidate's rankings from most to least important.

Issue importance ranking

Candidate'sranking

Issue

Candidate'sranking

Issue

1Crime reduction/prevention7Homelessness

2Government transparency8No item ranked at this value by the candidate.

3Civil rights9No item ranked at this value by the candidate.

4City services (trash, utilities, etc.)10No item ranked at this value by the candidate.

5Transportation11No item ranked at this value by the candidate.

6K-12 education12No item ranked at this value by the candidate.

Local topics

[the profile publisher] asked candidates specific questions regarding recent issues in the city. The questions are in the left column and the candidate's responses are in the right column.

QuestionResponse

How should San Antonio’s government respond if the state legislature preempts the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance?We should go to court.

Should local law enforcement in San Antonio consider immigration status in interactions with individuals? If yes, in what ways should that status be considered?This is too involved , we must work with our faith-based communities.

Nationwide municipal issues

The candidate was asked to answer questions from [the profile publisher] regarding issues facing cities across America. The questions are in the left column and the candidate's responses are in the right column. Some questions provided multiple choices, which are noted after those questions.

Question

Response

Is it important for the city’s budget to be balanced?Answer options: Not important; Not important, but required by state law; A little important; A little important, but required by state law; Important; Very important

Very important

Which level of government do you feel should set a minimum wage?Answer options: None, Local, State, Federal

None

What do you think is the best way to improve a city’s public safety? Candidates could write their own answer or choose from the following options: Increased economic opportunities, Increased police presence/activity, Harsher penalties for offenders, Public outreach/education programs

Public outreach/education programs. Raising awareness about mental health and violence.

How do you think your city should emphasize economic development? Candidates could write their own answer or choose from the following options: Changing zoning restrictions, Create a more competitive business climate, Focusing on small business development, Instituting a citywide minimum wage, Recruiting new businesses to your city, Regulatory and licensing reforms, and tax reform

Communicating with and educating our voters, citizens, and taxpayers.

What is the one thing you’re most proud of about your city?

Awareness of history

What is the one thing you’d most like to change about your city?

I would like to have a priority to reduce violent crimes and homicides.