Republican Nominee for U.S. House, North Carolina 1st District
By Nancy Almasi, Virginia
“If you want change, you have to step up.” - Sandy Smith, Republican nominee, North Carolina CD-1
Sandy Smith understands this outlook more than anyone. In 2020, she narrowly lost to incumbent Congressman GK Butterfield. But, in the process, she swung her district 25 points back toward the Republican column. This time around, Butterfield has declined to run. Sandy is determined to finish the job and win in 2022.
That’s why, recognizing the importance of her race and her value as a candidate, the National Republican Congressional Committee has selected Sandy as one its Young Gun candidates during this election cycle.
A staunch conservative with a can-do attitude, Sandy’s campaign is focused on turning around the economic outlook in a district that has struggled under the disastrous policies of the Biden administration. Her district is a rural one – covering 19 counties in eastern North Carolina, where the farmers are under tremendous pressure due to the high cost of fuel and fertilizers.
“Inflation is killing us,” she noted. “High gas prices contribute to high food prices and trickle down to the high cost of everything else. Right now, gas prices are artificially low due to the Biden administration draining of our strategic oil reserves. The position he is putting our country in is extremely alarming. We need to focus on American energy independence. We need to bring down gas prices, but also bring back the manufacturing of fertilizers to the USA.”
Sandy, a business executive and real estate investor who also farms 137 acres with her husband, William, would also like to bring more broadband internet access to her district. “If we can deploy more internet access, companies will want to relocate here. People can also work from home." To provide an example of this need, she pointed out, “Amazon is hiring hundreds of people for customer service positions. Increased broadband internet access means putting jobs instantly (into this district). It can also keep our families together. One of the struggles in our community is kids leaving the area to find work elsewhere.”
Sandy’s energy and drive has attracted the attention of top Republicans such as President Donald Trump, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, and RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel. She has also received endorsements from leaders in North Carolina such as Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, several members of the North Carolina congressional delegation, and Fire Chief Thomas Lily. Their support is helping her campaign with increasing her name recognition and fundraising. “It was a huge honor to get that shout-out from President Trump (at a recent rally in Wilmington, NC),” Sandy said. “I am a well-rounded candidate. I wasn’t hand-picked by the elites. They see the numbers. We have shown folks that ‘hey, we can do this.’ This is why Democrats are having to put so much money into this race because they see the writing on the wall.”
Sandy also credits the members of Republican Women of Pitt County for steering her to victory in November. “They are fantastic and I love them. They have been organizing meet and greets and finding speaking opportunities. They are helping with a big fundraiser coming up on October 12th,” she said. “We women – we know how to get it done!”
If elected in November, Sandy would like to serve on House committees such as agriculture, education, transportation and infrastructure, and the budget. She is a proud Marine mom who would also like to bring some much needed resources to the retired veterans in her community.
Learn more about Sandy's campaign at sandysmithnc.com.