Mark McHugh
Republican | Iowa
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mark McHugh
Party
Republican
Election Year
2020
Election
Primary
Race
State Rep., Dist. 3
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Iowa Lakes Comm College, Estherville, 2005
Estherville Lincoln Central, Estherville, General, 2000
Delta Connection Academy, Sanford, Aviation, 2005
WORK & MILITARY
Iowa Army National Guard, Specialist, 6
US Army (IANG Deployed), Specialist, 1
AFFILIATIONS
Knights of Columbus, Member, National Rifle Association
Member, O'Brien County Republican Party, Member
O'Brien County Platform Committee, Member, O'Brien County Central Committee
Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
Race
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Mitt Romney (2013)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
I support the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which requires health care providers to provide life-saving treatment for infants who survive an attempted abortion.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
I feel that as a whole abortion should not be allowed. What I have said time and time again is that we have all had a chance at life - why should an unborn child in it's mother's womb be any different?
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
To balance the budget, I would look through all departments to find ways to trim wherever possible. I would partner with the private sector whenever possible, and try to negotiate better terms. I would also get rid of the "use it or lose it" that runs rapid in the government, where employees feel they have to spend the entire year's budgetary allotment to receive needed allotments in following years.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Strongly Agree
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Strongly Agree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Separation of Church and State means that people shall not be forced, by law, to follow one religion, or forced to not follow another. It means that people shall not be forced, by law, to even have a religion, or to not have one as they believe. It means that although the laws in the United States are rooted in Judeo-Christian beliefs, the Church and the State are two separate entities.
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
One of the best ways that would reduce the cost of coverage, and also increase it's accessibility would be to allow Health Insurance to be purchased from any State, without regard to the residency of the applicant. If an individual feels that a policy that is written in another State is best for them and their family, they should be able to purchase said policy. This would cause extensive competition, thereby reducing prices.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
IMMIGRATION
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Strongly Agree
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
I believe that the US needs immigration. We need skilled and unskilled workforce. I believe that immigration should be allowed so long as it complies in all aspects with then-current immigration law and procedure.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Strongly Agree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I was born and raised Roman Catholic. I am someone who prays daily (sometimes multiple times per day). I have two children that I am raising in the Roman Catholic Church. My oldest son, Hayden, recently begun serving Mass, and I have imparted the need for strong religious beliefs and values on them. My spiritual beliefs are who I am. It's engrained on my heart, mind, and soul.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
The Hartley Sentinel - The Everly/Royal News, after interviewing me for my candidacy stated on the front page of their Issue Vol 115, No. 4 dated February 13, 2020, that "On the issues, McHugh stands on a staunchly conservative platform."
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
I have had a passion for politics and public policy for a long period of time. I have felt a desire to serve ever since I was a kid growing up on the farm. It resulted in my joining the Iowa Army National Guard, because I wanted to serve not only my Country, but my State as well. I have also been very involved with the O'Brien County Republicans. I also spend a lot of time listening to voters, and want to strive to be approachable, accessible, and ultimately accountable to them.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No. I have not.
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I have built my campaign on two principles. First, I say "Mark McHugh Listens to You". That means that I will make every effort possible to listen to what voters are telling me. I listen to their concerns, opinions and suggestions. Secondly, I have coined what I call "the 3 A's" - Accessible... Approachable... Accountable. I want to maintain those 3 A's to be able to effectively listen to, and represent the voters of the district. I have multiple ways of getting in contact. Accessible. I am almost never stuck up in a suit. Approachable. If I get the honor of representing the district, and I don't uphold what I said I would uphold - vote me out. I want my feet to be held to the fire. Accountable. Accessible... Approachable... Accountable. The 3 A's.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Neutral
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I feel that Iowa needs to obtain a constitutional amendment making it a constitutional carry state. I feel that when the US Constitution says "Shall not be infringed" it means "SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED"!
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Disagree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Strongly Disagree
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
1) Pro-Life 2) Protect the 2nd Amendment 3) Mental Health
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
No. I do not believe that it is. I believe that racism has largely been addressed in numerous pieces of legislation, and I feel that continuing to try to re-hash and re-rake it over and over does not let a sore on our history as a country heal.
