Danielle Samantha Smikle

BACKGROUND

• Smikle, 27, of Freeport, is running on the Republican and Conservative party lines in the general election. This is her first bid for elective office. 
• She graduated from Canisius University in Buffalo with a bachelor’s degree in political science and communication. 
• Smikle is a high school teacher at a charter school in Uniondale.

ISSUES

• Smikle said she wants to create afterschool programs to serve children in low-income minority communities in her district who would benefit developmentally from access to affordable activities rather than being raised by technology. 
• If elected, she said she wants to cut funding for programs that serve “illegal immigrants,” such as housing for migrants, so that there is more funding available for legal residents or for tax cuts.
• Smikle said she wants to address problems with vaping and illegal drug use among children through public awareness programs, expand take-back programs for expired prescription drugs and increase enforcement against stores that sell vaping products to children.