Bud Cook
Republican | Pennsylvania
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Bud Cook
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Republican Primary, Special HD196
Race
State Representative, District 50
Incumbent
Yes
Links
EDUCATION
California Area High School, California, Pa, 1974
West Virginia Wesleyan, Buckhannon, WV, BS, 1978
WORK & MILITARY
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Life Member of Firearm Owners Against Crime
Marianna Outdoorsmen Association
Western Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors
Ellsworth Sportsmen Association
Roscoe Sportsmen Club
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
49th State Representative, 2017-2022
Served two terms as City Councilman in Buckhannon, 1985-1989
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
House of Representatives, 2014-
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (5)
US Congressman Guy Reschenthaler
State Representative Josh Kail
State Representative Tim O'neal
NFIB
Many more to come.
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (8)
State Republican Party Organizations (2025)
Constitutional Conservative Coalition PAC (2022)
Firearm Owners Against Crime (2022)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2022)
Parke Wentling (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (12)
James Gregory (PA) (2024)
Martin Causer (2024)
Farmers Allied for Responsive More Effective Representation (2022)
George Dunbar (2022)
Kerry Benninghoff (2021)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Laborers International Union of North America (includes nat, state & local) (2018)
National Education Association (national, state & local affiliates) (2017)
OTHER INFORMATION
Bud Cook's grade from pro-marijuana group, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Agree
Taxpayer dollars should never be used to fund abortion providers, including planned parenthood. Funding should be directed toward life affirming care, women's health services, and adoption support.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Elective abortion should not be permitted. Every life is sacred and deserving of protection. In rare and tragic medical emergencies where life of the mother is at risk, care should always prioritize saving life whenever is possible.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
I firmly believe life begins at conception and must be protected at every stage.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Strongly Agree
Human dignity does not depend on the method of conception . Every embryo is a human life worth protecting.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Agree
Federal should be enforced as written, especially when it concerns the protection of life.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
It means the government cannot establish or control religion but it does not mean faith should be removed from public life. Our rights come from God, NOT GOVERNMENT!
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
Americans must be free to live and work according to their sincerely held religious and moral convictions.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
The Chinese Communist Party presents major military , cyber, economic, and intellectual property threats that must countered decisively .
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes, Israel is one of our strongest allies, a democracy, in a volatile region, and key partner in intelligence , security and shared values.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
C. Medicaid and medicare should remain, but government expansion beyond that is unnecessary. We should prioritize affordability, competition, and patient choice.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
That raises serious privacy and government overreach concerns.
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Decisions should largely be left to states and local economies. We should focus on job creation, skills training, and economic growth not mandates that hurt small businesses.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
These are foundational to prosperity, innovation, and freedom .
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
Eliminate redundant federal programs, Audit and cut bureaucratic overhead, end improper payments, fraud & corruption, Reduce regulatory bloat, and Increase transparency and accountability.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
Sanctuary policies undermine the rule of law and public safety.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Agree
Education decisions belong to states, communities, and parents not federal bureaucrats .
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Agree
That poses national security and influences risk.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
To uphold justice, protect law abiding citizens, and hold criminals accountable.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
The Protection of our children from online predators is of the upmost importance and it is our fundamental responsibility.
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
American law MUST be rooted in The Constitution.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
We must uphold The second Amendment . Our right to bear arms shall not be infringed upon.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
I am a constitutional conservative grounded in faith, committed to protecting life, defending individual liberty, upholding the rule of law, and putting THE PEOPLE FIRST, NOT THE GOVERNMENT!
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
NO
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
NO
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
Parents not government should guide their children’s upbringing.
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly Agree
Children deserve protection and should not be subjected to irreversible decisions.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Agree
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian man guided by faith, conviction, and a DUTY to stand for the truth, & protect the people with COURAGE, GRIT, & INTEGRITY!
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
Voter ID is essential to ensuring election integrity and public trust.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Disagree
We must uphold equal treatment under law for all individuals.
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
Women's spaces and sports must be protected & biological males shall not be allowed to participate in them. Matter of fact, I have proudly helped House Republicans with an initiate called "Defending our Daughter's which would ensure women's sports remain protected. Let me be very clear "MEN DON'T BELONG IN WOMEN'S SPORTS!
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Neutral
I am very pro energy.I serve on the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee in the Pa House of Representatives. I believe we should be good stewards of the land and environment, BUT.... NOT at the cost of destroying our economy or energy independence.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
A strong mix led by domestic fossil fuels . Especially natural gas alongside nuclear energy for long term stability and independence. Building the infrastructure to supply it is an absolute necessity .
