Thomas Smith

“As your representative, my policymaking process will be grounded in hard data, scientific evidence, and the realities facing Michigan families—not the whims of DC lobbyists. Career politicians like Kristen McDonald Rivet have spent their lives navigating political favors rather than dealing with the factual realities of complex issues like healthcare and emerging technologies. When new scientific evidence emerges, I believe in transparently communicating those findings to the public, especially when there is uncertainty. Unfortunately, we’ve seen politicians like Rivet twist facts to align with the extreme agendas of allies like Abdul El-Sayed, prioritizing political science over actual science. I will rely on technical experts, not special interests, to guide my decisions, ensuring that the 8th District’s policies are built on a foundation of undeniable truth and economic reality.”

KEYWORDS: Evidence-based policy, Public transparency, Accountability

“The federal government has a vital role in funding scientific research that drives American innovation, creates jobs, and keeps us globally competitive. When evaluating these investments, my priority is ensuring a clear return on investment for Michigan taxpayers. We must fund medical breakthroughs and technological advancements, not wasteful pet projects. Contrast this with Kristen McDonald Rivet, a career lobbyist who has consistently supported reckless spending that benefits her political allies and family rather than our state’s future. Her record shows a willingness to shortchange crucial priorities—even voting against troop pay—while rubber-stamping the radical left’s agenda. I will demand strict accountability and transparency in science funding, ensuring our tax dollars support real innovation at our universities, not the pet causes of the political insiders that Rivet caters to.”

KEYWORDS: Innovation, Taxpayer accountability, Medical breakthroughs

“Michigan’s 8th District farmers are the backbone of our economy, but they are being crushed by skyrocketing input costs and inflation driven by disastrous economic policies. While I will fight to leverage agricultural science—like advanced drought-resistant crops and precision farming technology—to help our farmers stay productive, we must first get government off their backs. Kristen McDonald Rivet is completely out of touch with the struggles of our agricultural community. As a career politician and lobbyist, she supports the same radical, job-killing regulations championed by her extremist allies. Her economic agenda only increases the cost of fertilizer, fuel, and equipment, making it impossible for our farmers to compete globally. I will champion investments in agricultural innovation and fight for deregulation, while Rivet pushes the heavy-handed mandates suffocating Michigan agriculture.”

KEYWORDS: Precision agriculture,Deregulation, Competitiveness

“Protecting the Great Lakes and ensuring safe drinking water are non-negotiable priorities for Michigan. I fully support targeted investments to update our aging water infrastructure and deploy advanced filtration technologies to eliminate PFAS contamination. We need practical, science-based solutions to protect our environment. While Kristen McDonald Rivet claims to care about our communities, her record as a career Lansing insider tells a different story—one of prioritizing corporate giveaways and data center tax breaks over securing clean water for our families. Her alignment with radical activists like Abdul El-Sayed shows she prefers weaponizing environmental policy to control our economy rather than actually fixing our pipes and protecting our lakes.”

KEYWORDS: PFAS remediation, Great Lakes protection, Infrastructure modernization

“Michigan is facing a severe shortage of healthcare providers, and the solution lies in innovation, expanding telehealth, and removing bureaucratic barriers that prevent doctors from treating patients. We can leverage emerging technologies to streamline care and reach rural communities. What we absolutely cannot do is adopt the disastrous, government-controlled healthcare schemes supported by Kristen McDonald Rivet and her radical ally, Abdul El-Sayed. Rivet’s approach to healthcare is driven by lobbyist interests and a desire to put bureaucrats between you and your doctor. Her agenda would drive more providers out of the industry and exacerbate the shortages we already face. I will fight for free-market solutions and technological innovation that empower patients and attract top-tier medical talent to the 8th District.”

KEYWORDS: Telehealth expansion, Healthcare deregulation, Provider recruitment

“America’s energy future demands an “all-of-the-above” strategy that ensures reliability and affordability, which includes expanding nuclear power alongside natural gas and targeted renewables. As electricity demand skyrockets, we cannot afford to gamble our grid on the unreliable, mandate-driven energy schemes pushed by Kristen McDonald Rivet. Rivet and her extreme political allies want to force a premature transition to wind and solar that our infrastructure simply cannot handle, threatening rolling blackouts and crippling energy bills for Michigan families. Her track record as a lobbyist and career politician proves she will gladly sacrifice our energy independence to appease environmental extremists. I support investing in next-generation nuclear technology and cutting red tape to unleash American energy dominance, while Rivet’s radical policies would leave us vulnerable and broke.”

KEYWORDS: All-of-the-above energy, Nuclear power, Grid reliability

“The expansion of artificial intelligence offers incredible opportunities, but it cannot come at the expense of our grid’s reliability or the American taxpayer. I support policies that encourage technological growth while requiring developers to ensure they aren’t placing unmanageable strains on our energy and water infrastructure. Kristen McDonald Rivet, however, has proven she will sell out Michigan taxpayers to benefit corporate special interests. While serving as a career politician, Rivet eagerly supported massive tax breaks for data centers, handing out corporate welfare while hardworking families in the 8th District struggle with rising utility costs and inflation. She prioritizes her lobbyist connections over the everyday realities of our citizens. I will ensure that the growth of AI and data centers is balanced, responsible, and never subsidized on the backs of Michigan taxpayers.”

KEYWORDS: Grid reliability, Taxpayer protection, Responsible innovation