Cybersecurity exec seeks Maine House seat

Ande Smith, who owns a cybersecurity consulting firm, is seeking the Republican nomination for Maine’s 1st Congressional District, according to local reports.

If elected, Smith would likely be only the second lawmaker ever with direct experience in the cybersecurity industry, following Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas), who was elected in 2014.

{mosads}Smith, who is also an attorney and served nearly 30 years in the U.S. Navy, will face off against at least one other candidate for the GOP nomination, according to reports. The primary winner will then try to unseat Rep. Chellie Pingree (D), who has represented the district since 2009.

In a statement circulated to local media outlets, Smith focused on national security.

“I am committed to securing America’s future,” he said. “Today, America is a nation adrift. The global threat of ISIS, illegal immigration, wrong-headed gun control and a struggling economy lead the news while Washington is unable to agree on and implement practical, prudent solutions.”

“It takes active leadership to restore the safety and security we need for our children,” he added. “My military, business and education experience qualify me to provide that leadership in Congress.”

Smith has a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and graduate degrees from the University of Connecticut and the University of Maine School of Law. He is a registered patent attorney and sits on the Maine State Board of Education.

Congress has long been short on members with tech sector experience, which has spurred criticism that lawmakers are incapable of writing effective legislation on the topic. There are four House members with computer science degrees.

Hurd, one of the four, was working as a senior adviser for cybersecurity vendor FusionX when he was elected. Prior to that, he had a long career as a CIA agent focusing on cybersecurity operations.

Hurd now chairs a subcommittee on information technology.