On this date in 2015, 2016, 2017, as well as 2018, “Crazy/Stupid Republican of the Day posted profiles of Brandon Smith, a Kentucky State Senator who has distinguished himself by being such a fan of the coal lobby (having worked for them once himself) that he has introduced legislation that attempted to nullify federal environmental laws like the Clean Water Act. Perhaps we shouldn’t trust Smith with his opinions on the environment, because he is also a climate change denier who once argued against the phenomenon in the Kentucky legislature because, as he put it, “We all agree the temperature on Mars is the same as it is here. Nobody will dispute that. Yet there are no coal mines on Mars.” As it turned out, anyone with a lick of sense would dispute that, because it’s ridiculous. How could Smith have said something so completely stupid? Well, not for nothing, but he does apparently have a drinking problem, as he was arrested for DUI in January of 2015 (conveniently right after his last election to a four year term). And after initially trying to get his DUI charge thrown out because of an 1891 Kentucky statute that said members of the General Assembly are “privileged from arrest” during a legislative session (because you’ll always seem sympathetic when you try and convince the public you’re above the law), Smith was eventually found not guilty on the technicality that he refused to submit to a breathalyzer. He’s still voting like he’s drunk, though, with votes for bills to try and require women get a medically unnecessary ultrasound prior to getting an abortion, a TRAP law to close all the abortion clinics in his state (unconstitutionally), as well as one of those transphobic bathroom bills.
Brandon Smith has continued to implausibly remain in office, in spite of his arrest record, and the sheer audacity he has to pretend he’s above the law. Also, in 2018, he voted to cut the cost of living increases for teachers by 33%, but yet, he was re-elected in coal country with 73% of the vote. He then immediately tried to usurp the title of Majority Floor Leader of the Kentucky State Senate from colleague Damon Thayer.
At least he failed, but this wanker his some high ambitions, and has shown he thinks he’s above the law, so we’re going to keep an eye on him.