Andy Smith

Andy Smith

Andy Smith is Minnesota Representative for district 25B with the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

Three Key Messages

According to a 2022 survey by Ballotpedia, the "three key messages" of Andy Smith's campaign was "Universal Health Care", "Climate Action Now" and "Worker's Rights and Protections"., Ballotpedia also provided information about Andy Smith's voting record, which was according to the "Legislative Evaluation Assembly of Minnesota" in line with "far-reaching and radical changes to Minnesota's laws and policies" in 2023.

Jokes About Arson Attack on Conservative Groups

Andy Smith Deletes X Account after Greg Price Post

Andy Smith X Post dated February 4, 2024

Andy Smith X Post dated March 3, 2024

@AndySmithMN X Account before deletion

On February 4, 2024, Andy Smith posted on Twitter a gif that said "I started the fire!" in relation to a news story that three conservative organizations were targeted by arson attacks., After being challenged on it, he doubled down on the "joke".,

A local news report explained in an article dated Feb 2, 2024 titled "Rochester Rep. Andy Smith deletes X account after backlash following suspected arson in Golden Valley":

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Rep. Andy Smith, (DFL) of Rochester, has deleted his X (formerly known as Twitter) account after backlash for a post he sent following a suspected arson in Golden Valley.

A fire over the weekend at a Golden Valley office building, which is a headquarters for three conservative organizations, is being investigated as an act of arson, according to KTTC’s sister station in the Twin Cities KARE 11.

"Rep. Smith quoted a report on the suspected Arson from Alpha News, posting a GIF from The Office, joking about who started the fire. Smith has since deleted his account on X.

Andy Smith deleted his X account shortly after conservative influencer Greg Price posted Andy Smith's offensive post about arson. The account has since been restored and now says "parody".

Small Business Owner: Filed for Bankruptcy

According to Andy Smith's campaign website, he and his wife are small business owners:

"Andy moved to Rochester with his wife Anna to start his dream business: an independent movie theater and coffee shop. That vision led to Gray Duck Theater & Coffeehouse, a business that not only survived the pandemic but thrived, thanks to community support. Gray Duck was able to add several employees while operating responsibly during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and every employee at Gray Duck makes at least $15/hr.

However, it was reported in February, 2023 that the business "unfortunately got taken over by the pandemic." Additionally, it was reported that Andy Smith filed for bankruptcy on February 28, 2023:

"Smith claimed during a Feb. 16 House floor debate that he offers employees at 'both' of his businesses 'unlimited paid vacation and sick time.' At that point, one of his businesses was already closed."

Reference Paul Wellstone

Andy Smith referenced Paul Wellstone on his campaign website.

"Paul Wellstone was right when he said, “We all do better when we all do better.” Despite the ubiquity of this statement in Minnesota politics for the past two decades, we still fall short of a society that commits to the well-being of all.

Building thriving communities takes dedication, organization, and collective action. We need to fight for well-funded public education from cradle to college by offering universal childcare and free college tuition at public institutions. This is an investment in our present and our future: it allows young parents to pursue their goals free from the crippling cost of childcare and ensure that all Minnesotans get the benefits of education.

We should offer student loan forgiveness to release young families from the burden of predatory student debts.

We need to have the courage to act decisively to end homelessness. We can start by expanding public mental health resources and working toward affordable housing for every Minnesotan.

Thriving communities also require that every person has rights over their own body. Abortion and Trans rights are under attack. Only with vigilance can we protect these precious freedoms of choice and self-identity.

'Climate Action'

Andy Smith on "Climate Action" on his campaign website, where he says in part:

"Environmental change is no longer a theoretical or future problem, but an existential threat. We need to take drastic action as a state to divest from fossil fuels, invest in green technologies that create new jobs, support infrastructure encouraging public transportation, and protect the beautiful Minnesota environment.