Michael Hough (politician)

Michael Joseph Hough /hʌf/[1] (born November 4, 1979) is an American politician who served in the Maryland Senate, representing District 4 in Frederick and Carroll Counties. He was formerly a Delegate and chairman and of the Frederick County Republican Central Committee.[2] He is a former Maryland state chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).[3]

For the Canadian ice hockey player, see Mike Hough.

Michael Hough
Member of the Maryland Senate
from the 4th district
In office
January 15, 2015 – January 11, 2023
Preceded byDavid R. Brinkley
Succeeded byWilliam Folden
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 3B district
In office
January 12, 2011 – January 15, 2015
Preceded byCharles A. Jenkins
Succeeded byWilliam Folden
Personal details
Born
Michael Joseph Hough

(1979-11-04) November 4, 1979
Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJoeylynn
EducationTowson University (BA)

Education

Hough received a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Towson University.[4][5]

Career

Hough served in the United States Air Force as a Minuteman-III missile maintenance technician; he was stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Michael previously served as the legislative aide to Maryland State Senator Alex X. Mooney. He was also the campaign manager for Sen. Mooney's successful re-election campaign.[1] In 2006, Hough ran for and won a position on the Frederick County Republican Central Committee.[6]

A seat in the House of Delegates opened up unexpectedly in 2009 when Republican-turned-Independent Delegate Richard Weldon resigned. Hough was nominated by the Frederick and Washington County Republican leadership to serve out the rest of Weldon's term, along with Frederick County Commissioner Charles A. Jenkins. Both names were submitted to Governor Martin O'Malley, who ultimately selected Jenkins to complete the term.[7]

Hough ran against Jenkins when the term expired in 2010 and defeated him 68%-32%.[8]

Redistricting after the 2010 election placed Hough in the new 4th District, which included almost none of the District 3B he was representing. Nevertheless, Hough decided to run for State Senate, challenging incumbent Republican David R. Brinkley. Hough accused Brinkley of being a "tax-and-spend liberal"[9] and of being too close to the Democratic majority and then-Governor Martin O'Malley. Hough defeated Brinkley in the primary election, 68%-32%.[10]

In May 2021, Hough announced that he would run for Frederick County Executive in 2022 rather than seek reelection.[11] He was defeated in the general election by county councilmember Jessica Fitzwater on November 8, 2022, receiving 49.7 percent of the vote to Fitzwater's 50.4 percent.[12]

Electoral history
  • 2014 Race for Maryland State Senate – District 4[13]
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Michael Hough, Rep. 31,414   67.7%    Won
Dan Rupli, Dem. 14,873   32.1%    Lost
  • 2014 Republican Primary Race for Maryland State Senate – District 4[14]
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Michael Hough, Rep. 8,946   67.7%    Won
David R. Brinkley, Rep. 4,261   32.3%    Lost
  • 2010 Race for Maryland State Delegate – District 3B[15]
Name Votes Percent Outcome
Michael Hough, Rep. 10,090   57.4%    Won
Paul Gilligan, Dem. 7,444   42.4%    Lost

See also

References
  1. "Michael Hough Biography". Hough For Delegate. Archived from the original on June 8, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2008.
  2. Tully, Meg (August 23, 2008). "Hough named county GOP chairman". Frederick News-Post. Archived from the original on June 11, 2011. Retrieved September 2, 2008 – via WTOP-FM.
  3. Wilterdink, Ben (March 8, 2016). "Senator Michael Hough Awarded at CPAC" (Press release). American Legislative Exchange Council.
  4. "Michael Hough". American Legislative Exchange Council. Archived from the original on October 24, 2008. Retrieved September 2, 2008.
  5. "State Chairmen". American Legislative Exchange Council. January 4, 2012. Archived from the original on January 4, 2012.
  6. "Maryland Central Committees - Republican Party". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. Archived from the original on August 5, 2009. Retrieved September 4, 2008.
  7. "Md. gov picks Charles Jenkins for delegate seat". Cecil Whig. Associated Press. January 13, 2010. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  8. "Official 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  9. "Election Projection 2014: District 4". Club for Progress. Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  10. "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. July 16, 2014.
  11. Gaines, Danielle E. (May 17, 2021). "Maryland state senator announces bid for Frederick County executive". WTOP-FM.
  12. Kurtz, Josh (November 18, 2022). "Dems take two more Senate seats, win Frederick County exec race". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  13. "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. February 12, 2014. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  14. "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. July 16, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  15. "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
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