In response to the inspiring column in Sunday 19 February’s paper, written by editor Michael Caldwell, I would like to introduce you to one of the candidates in the primary election on March 6.

Republican Victor Smith, a resident of Waterford is challenging incumbent Republican, Congressman Bill Johnson, of Marietta for his seat, which represents 18 counties that make up the 6th Congressional District. That includes Lawrence County.

Victor filed the maximum allowable, 150 signatures to get on the ballot, which represented 11 of the 18 counties in District 6, including Lawrence County. By comparison, Johnson’s signatures were from only two of the 18 counties, those being Columbiana and Washington.

Victor stated to me that he feels Congressman Johnson has been a “loyal servant” to House Speaker John Boehner and does not represent his electorate “Congressman Johnson was sent to D.C. to stop the out of control spending, he did just the opposite and voted in support of the Continuing Resolutions, Omnibus Bills and Raising the Debt Ceiling.”

“Equally, if not more disturbing, Congressman Johnson voted in support of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2011 (NDAA), a new law allowing for indefinite Military Detention of U.S. Citizens Without Charge or Trial. (Sections 1021,1022 and 1023 need to be taken out.) Those sections give the president the right to define what constitutes a terrorist …and that’s not a power you give to any president. Period!”, Smith said.

Victor Smith is a 1965 graduate of Warren High School and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1969. He retired from the military in 1989 and became professional engineer, working for various plants, including DuPont, Union Carbide and most recently as a consulting engineer for Apex Engineering’s Marietta Office.

Victor is not a career politician. However, he spent much time, energy and money to help pass Issue 3, the Ohio Health Care Freedom Amendment in last November’s Election. He is a staunch conservative and feels driven to oppose incumbent Bill Johnson for his seat in Congress.

A few of Victor Smith’s goals are:

1. Keep federal government out of the development of Utica Shale Oil Field centered in Ohio 6th Congressional district.

2. Defund EPA and other agencies’ attempts to over-regulate.

3. Revoke PPACA (Obamacare) continuously via a constant bill of revocation.

4. Absolutely no increase in the national debt ceiling.

5. All legislation passed by Congress shall apply equally to all members of Congress as it does to all citizens.

6. No continuing resolutions for funding without a federal budget that has been prepared by executive branch, then reviewed and approved by both Houses of Congress.

7. Get the job done, then come back home. This is not to be a career.

The winner in this primary race will face off against the winner of Democrats Charlie Wilson, of St. Clairsville and Cas Adulewicz, of Steubenville, for Ohio’s 6th Congressional District seat.

Charlotte Rowley, Ironton