Larae Smith
Agenda
Supports Planned Parenthood. Facebook
Supports more women representation in government. Facebook
Supports the black caucuses of the democrat party. Reposted on Facebook
Support Senior housing and Healthcare Services. Provide county recreational advancements, building a county indoor sports facility and swim center and improving county recreation areas. Support state of the art correctional facility, by improving conditions and programs and drive long standing issues with facility to closure. Also wishes to reduce cost and tax burden of facility.
policy positions
Background and Campaign Message
Experience
Since 2007, La Rae has worked in education with the Commercial Township Board of Education. She is currently a Social Service Coordinator for the United Methodist Communities in Ocean City, New Jersey. With her vast background in Economic Development, Community Education, and Business, La Rae successfully completed a Certificate of Achievement from Atlantic Cape Community College’s Self-Employment Assistance Program in January 2006.
She has been recognized by the First District New Jersey Congress of the United States House of Representatives and Cumberland County Democratic Women receiving the Outstanding Women of Cumberland County Certificate of Commendation presented by Cumberland County Commissioners. She is Chair of the Land Use Board in Commercial Township, Chair of the Democratic Party for Commercial Township, and serves as an elected official of the Commercial Township Board of Education. Her volunteer work in recreational leagues, faith-based activities, and community service speaks volumes to her compassion and integrity. She serves as a champion to the voices of people in this great community that she loves.
Candidates Forum Responses
When asked about how she would deal with poverty, homelessness, and substance abuse, Smith spoke about leveraging the faith based organizations and community outreach programs.
Inform the Vote would like to note that Smith left the Candidates Forum approximately halfway through for an official public duty (maybe School Board, but we're not sure).
Girl Let's Talk Interview
Summarized/Paraphrased Q&A
To note: A "general discussion point" is a summarized part of the video that might not have come from a direct question and answer format, but part of a tangent or general discussion.1. Host: Tell us who you are.
Smith: I was born and grew up in Bridgeton. I went to Stockton State. After school, I stayed close to home so I could make an impact in my community, stay close to my family, and stay involved in my activities (class president in high school, varsity sports, girl scouts, basketball leagues). That was the right move for me and has led me to running for county commissioner. I have been consistently running for leadership positions, where I wound up on the Commercial Township Board of Education. I can be a voice for the smaller districts in the county. I can also provide a common sense voice for the community, as a lot of decisions are made behind closed doors, ‘the big boys situation’. I want to bring the voice of the middle and lower class residents.
2. Host: What made you realize you wanted to run for commissioner?
Smith: Coming from the small municipality of Commercial Township, I first ran and lost. Then I was reached out to by Donna Pearson (current Democrat commissioner) and Nancy Sungenis (former democrat party organizer). They were surprised that coming from a small municipality that I was able to get so many votes and lose by just a hair. At that point the light bulb went off regarding “Why not me?”, when I’m already doing a lot of community work, so why not get the title and do more? Our community needs more people who want to get their hands dirty and do the work of sitting in the meetings, having the discussions, and holding people accountable. The democrat party needed people who weren’t afraid to put their name on the ballot and be interviewed. Dr. Perella, John Capizola, and myself are out in the streets talking to people, not just handing out literature. We’re listening and going to events.
3. General discussion point (La Rae Smith): This is not necessarily about getting votes, it’s about people. It’s about doing good work to help the people. It’s about knocking on the doors and asking “Do you need some help? Do you need services?”
General discussion point (the host): If you’re not getting involved with knowing who to vote for, can you complain?
General discussion point: We have to show our children that split second decisions have consequences, because our families and communities are setting the bad example that even if you do something wrong and go through the system, the children get the impression that it’s ok, without realizing that the consequences will follow them.
4. Host: How do we teach our children that life is not a game, but it’s full of consequences and that they should make good choices?
Smith: We used to have strong faith-based initiatives. We should bring recreational activities that are partnered with the faith-based organizations. They should be coordinated in a way that connects the kids from the school directly to after school activities and programming, which will help keep them out of the bad environments. They can also be used in conjunction with modeling programs, where kids can learn good behavior and decision making from good role-models.
5. General discussion point: COVID exposed that we have been programmed to only go to work to keep a roof over our heads, and so we’ve left the parenting up to the schools. By the time we get home from work, we are too tired to do anything else. We’re not checking homework, and sometimes the kids aren’t even getting homework. It has gotten to the point where we are graduating kids who can’t even read.