

Bud Cook
Republican | Pennsylvania
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Bud Cook
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 50
Incumbent
Yes
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
Ellsworth Sportsmen Association
Western Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, Roscoe Sportsmen Club
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
49th State Representative, 2017-2022
Served two terms as City Councilman in Buckhanno, 1985-1989
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
House of Representatives, 2014
SCORECARDS
CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
NFIB PA Pac
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (8)
Constitutional Conservative Coalition PAC (2022)
Firearm Owners Against Crime (2022)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2022)
Parke Wentling (2022)
State Republican Party Organizations (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (11)
Farmers Allied for Responsive More Effective Representation (2022)
George Dunbar (2022)
Martin Causer (2022)
Kerry Benninghoff (2021)
Firearm Owners Against Crime (2020)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (2)
Laborers International Union of North America (includes national, state & local affiliates) (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)
Key votes from VoteSmart
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Life of the Mother
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Strongly Disagree
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Never
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes
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.
Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs necessary.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Never
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What is your position on the minimum wage?
To be determined by the business
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
No
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Strongly Agree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
From my Cold Dead Hands!
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
ABOUT YOU
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
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
Serve the needs of the community and the people we represent!
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
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Strongly Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Strongly Disagree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Coincidence is God's way of reminding us he's around!
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Disagree
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
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
Stricter environmental laws undermine US energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Natural Gas
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