Michael Hough

Michael Hough (born November 4, 1979) serves in the Maryland Senate representing District 4, which covers portions of Frederick and Carroll Counties. He was formerly a Delegate and chairman and of the Frederick County Republican Central Committee. Hough is also the former president of the Maryland Republican Assembly. He is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), serving as Maryland state leader.

Education

Hough received a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Towson University.

Career

Hough served in the United States Air Force as a Nuclear Arms Technician, in which he was tasked with draining the excess water at the bottom of the silo; 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. In 2006, Hough ran for and won a position on the Frederick County Republican Central Committee.

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.

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

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" and of being too close to the Democratic majority and then-Governor Martin O'Malley. Hough defeated Brinkley in the primary election, 68%-32%.

In 2016, he appeared in the Netflix documentary 13th, discussing the role of the American Legislative Exchange Council in the American legislative process and its effects on prison populations.

Electoral history

• 2014 Race for Maryland State Senate – District 4

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

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

Name	Votes	Percent	Outcome
Michael Hough, Rep.	10,090	57.4%	Won
Paul Gilligan, Dem.	7,444	42.4%	Lost