Tea Party Express Endorses Steve Smith for U.S. Congress in Arizona

Sacramento, CA – Tea Party Express, the nation’s largest Tea Party political action committee, is pleased to announce its endorsement of State Senator Steve Smith for U.S. House in Arizona’s First Congressional District.

Tea Party Express Co-Founder and Chief Strategist Sal Russo said, “We are excited to support State Senator Steve Smith because he is a committed conservative with a record of delivering results for the people of Arizona. Our Tea Party Members of Congress need all the help they can get to beat back the Washington establishment and deliver the limited, constitutional government the voters demand. That is why he is endorsed by our Tea Party favored Texas U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who we are proud to stand beside.

“Steve is a conservative fighter who knows what it takes to win the tough battles. When he was first elected to the State Senate, he toppled a 30-year Democrat dynasty to become the first Republican Senator in the 23rd District in almost 100 years. Serving in both the state Senate and the state House, he sponsored legislation to lower taxes, helped pass a balanced budget, and worked to get Arizona’s economy moving again. In the eight years he has served, Steve has never once missed a vote. That is precisely the sort of tenacity and principled leadership that we need more of in Washington.

“The incumbent Democrat, Tom O’Halleran, took a page from the Democrats’ playbook by running as the consensus moderate candidate, but then he flipped around and voted alongside liberals like Nancy Pelosi. He voted against the Trump tax cuts and against adding a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. As we’ve seen already this election cycle, the Democrats have such disastrous ideas that they must pretend to be Republicans in order to get elected. But voters in the First District aren’t easily fooled, and this year they’ll have a clear choice between a dyed-in-the-wool liberal and a true conservative in Steve Smith,” Russo concluded.

The following are statements from local grassroots leaders:

“I have been a strong supporter of Steve Smith since his first run for office in 2009, and it’s rare to find a candidate that has integrity and does what they say they’ll do. Steve has always kept his promises and the communication open with his constituents. Steve is ranked the number one most conservative legislator in AZ, and he is someone we can trust to take his conservative principles with him to Washington, DC and not be bought by lobbyists. Steve will help President Trump continue to make America greater than ever. I ask for your support to send Mr. Smith to Washington.” – Irving Scott, Grassroots Activist, Casa Grande, AZ

“Senator Smith has won every award there is for his conservative work. He is a people person and is always interested in what is happening in his district. He always has time for his constituents. Steve has my full support, and I will do whatever I can to see that Sen. Smith goes to Washington. He will represent well the conservative core of his district.” – Irene Littleton, Grassroots Political Activist

“Why are we supporting Steve Smith to represent Arizona’s First Congressional District? The answer is simple! Steve has the right priorities: (1) God; (2) Family; and (3) Country. Steve won his first election for the Arizona State Senate in District 23 in 2010. After redistricting placed Steve at odds with District 26 State Senator Al Melvin in the new District 11, Steve opted not to run for his Senate seat again. Instead, he ran for one of two State House seats in District 11, winning the 2012 general election. In 2014 and 2016, he easily won re-election for the Arizona State Senate in District 11. As both an Arizona State Representative and State Senator, Steve has a proven track record of being an effective legislator, a voice for the people, and always keeping his promises. Steve’s positions include balanced budgets, more jobs, taxpayer respect, restoration of Constitutional liberties, less job-killing regulations, and a strong national defense that includes real border security. Sound like someone you know: President Donald J. Trump! Steve has a proven track record, has been an effective leader who will represent all the citizens of Arizona’s First Congressional District, and will be a fantastic addition to the Arizona’s Republican Congressional Representatives Dr. Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs, and David Schweikert.” – Andrea and Dwight Kadar, Arizona’s First Congressional District Delegates to the 2016 Republican National Convention

“It has been my pleasure to know State Sen. Steve Smith since he first ran in 2010 for State Senator in LD23 when he was the pick of the grassroots. After winning the primary with 75% of the vote, Steve took on Sen. Rebecca Rios, the latest scion of the Democrat Rios dynasty. Steve went on to beat Sen. Rios in the general election in the upset victory of the year.

“Steve ran on the Constitution as a platform, a Republican with a firm belief in God, family and country. In his service in both the State Senate and State House, Steve has been one of those truly rare people that has stayed true to his word, his promises and beliefs. Steve’s exemplary example in office led the Pinal County Republican Committee to take the unprecedented step of endorsing Steve for Speaker of the State House in 2012. The PCRC’s move was followed by endorsements from the Republican Committees of Maricopa, Gila, Navajo, and Santa Cruz counties as well as the State Party Chairman, actions never done before or since.

“I am endorsing Steve Smith for US House in CD1. He has proven over the years that he stands firmly on and legislates from our party’s platform and our nation’s founding documents. In Steve we have a known, respected and trusted legislator that will do the will of the people and keep faith with the principles of our Founding Fathers.

“We must pick up Reagan’s call to once again make our political party, the Republican Party, one of bright bold colors rather than pale pastels.” – Stephen Kohut, Conservative Activist, Former Pinal County Republican Committee Chairman