Frequently Asked Questions

I am running as an Independent because I believe the challenges facing our community require independent thinking, not blind party allegiance.  I have always considered myself an independent voter, grounding my decisions not in rigid party platforms but instead in my core values and positions on the issues most important to my community.  I feel hyper-partisan politics is a primary driver of the division that has frustrated and disengaged so many voters and when I chose to run, I realized I had to stay true to who I am as an independent, rather than aligning with any party for convivence.  By running as a independent, I am making a commitment to prioritize the interests of all voters in the county, ensuring my loyalty remains with the people and not a political agenda. 

My commitment to being an Independent is unwavering, and I was, in fact, registered as an independent when the Democratic Central Committee asked me to temporarily fill a vacancy. They were aware of my deep, non-partisan work in the community, where I spent the last two years actively registering voters and encouraging people to run for office because I was concerned about uncontested seats and the lack of change in our county.  I chose to assist temporarily in their candidate recruitment efforts because our goals aligned in that specific moment, however after approximately four months, I realized that my most effective work would be done outside of party politics, leading me to resign and focus fully on my mission as an independent advocate for all members of our community. 

I believe effective leadership starts with listening. Throughout the campaign I am having conversations with voters, community leaders, staff, etc. to seek feedback that ensures policy decisions reflect the community’s real needs. I would love to hear from you, please contact me with your thoughts and ideas for the county. 

My platform focuses on housing, economic development, public safety, healthcare, transportation, and education. I aims to end the culture of division to create ONE Washington County. It is time for the county to work with all municipalities and consider public input in decision making.  Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes! Please check out the Issues page for more detailed information. 

 I am running as an independent candidate. I needs petition signatures to get my name on the ballot.  Please visit the contact page to make arrangements to sign. 

Volunteers can assist with gathering petition signatures, door knocking, and phone banking.  Please visit the get involved page to get started. 

Donations can be made using this link: https://donorbox.org/washington-county-for-taj-smith