Bruce Hough
Republican | Utah
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Bruce Hough
Party
Republican
Election Year
2023
Election
Special Primary - U.S. House District 2
Race
U. S. House Dist. 2
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rexburg, Associate, 1978
Brigham Young University, Provo, Bachelor, 2013
Gonzaga University, Spokane, Master, 2018
WORK & MILITARY
Civil Air Patrol, Airman, 3
388th Fighter Wing - Hill Air Force Base, Honorary Commander, 3
AFFILIATIONS
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Member and 2 Year Missionary in Central America, Regional Director, Communications Council, Teacher, Mentors International
Board Member, Boy Scouts of America - Great Salt Lake Council, President
Rotary International - Club 24, Member, Junior Achievement
Board Member, One Life at a Time, Vice-Chair, Board Member
Lifting Generations, Co-Founder, Board Member, Munich European Forum
Member, Academic Council and Advisor, Brigham Young University-Idaho, Adjunct Professor
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
City Council - South Jordan, Utah, 4
Chairman, Utah Republican Party, 4
Member, Republican National Committee, 12
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (17)
Blake Moore (2020)
Chris Stewart (2020)
Cory Gardner (2014)
David Perdue (2020)
Dean Heller (2013)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
WinRed (2023)
OTHER INFORMATION
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KSL News Radio Article covering the topics of Public lands issues, BLM red tape, Reducing Federal debt, LGBTQ+ issues, Preferred committees, and Joining the Freedom Caucus (dated July 17, 2023, updated July 19, 2023). Scroll down to candidate.
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Salt Lake Tribune profile on candidate from August 7, 2023. From the article: "Hough describes himself as a “right-of-center” and “movement conservative,” with his primary policy focused on more fiscal accountability for the federal government. Still, his plan to reign in deficit spending and rising debt is less extreme than some conservatives who want more drastic cuts."
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KUER 90.1 Profile of Candidate from August 17, 2023. (Source.)
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ABC 4 candidate profile of Bruce Hough, including a brief video interview, posted August 20, 2023. (Source.)
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive 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
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Rape, Incest, Grave Fetal Deformity (i.e. blighted ovum, non-viable), Health/Life of the mother. Even in many of these cases, the choice to have a child should be carefully considered, for adoption.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
This is the foundation upon which this nation was established and must remain a bedrock liberty that is protected at the highest level.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
What should be the relationship between the church and the state?
The state should not infringe on the free exercise of religious belief or worship. Nor should the state violate the freedom of speech provisions and should not restrict religious speech in the public square.
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
The United States cannot force democracy on other nations. However, there are significant foreign issues which, if not regarded by America, would most certainly lead to greater and more catastrophic results affecting the United States and its allies. We should not go where we are not invited, and we should not put American personnel at risk on foreign soil unless it is clear that we have a pathway to victory and ultimately protects the United States from future conflicts. Clear and Present Danger.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Disagree
I support a two-state solution, but this does not accomplish that objective. BDS is social engineering diplomatic solutionsc and I do not support business that adopt this as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
This is an existential threat.
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Terrorism not only violates international law (which we should use to our advantage), but also is a "clear and present danger" that must be eradicated. This will most likely not occur diplomatically and must rely on strong, on-the-ground intelligence and through the military when necessary.
HEALTHCARE
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Vaccinations should be a personal choice, and accommodations for those choosing not to have vaccinations should be made just as many other accommodations are made for religious and personal beliefs.
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)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
B (i.e. Medicare and Medicaid) and C, we have made a contract with seniors, and we should provide a safety net for those who cannot provide for themselves.
ECONOMY
Redistribution of income is needed to lessen the gap between the wealthy and working classes.
Strongly Disagree
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
Cuts to tax rates should not have a sunset provision, such as exists for the 2025 sunset for S Corp and LLC tax rates. Sunset provisions should be applied to any tax increase or regulation that increases fees or restrictions. A radical approach would be to eliminate the income tax and apply a sales tax on non-essential goods (i.e. no tax on food and other living essentials).
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
Sovereignty depends on secure borders.
State and federal funds shall be denied to any public or private entity, such as a sanctuary city, that is not in compliance with immigration laws.
Strongly Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Immigrants are necessary to fill out our nation's workforce, and we need to overhaul our visa and guest worker programs to accommodate that need. We need hourly wage earner labor and those who are educated or are capable of learning specific skills to advance the nation's innovation. No immigrant who does not process through a legal port of entry should be denied asylum and all others must follow the legal path to entry. But again, we need to streamline immigration policy.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Strongly Agree
If police officers are following departmental policy they should not be subject to prosecution. Every officer (every person) should use good judgment in the circumstance they are in to protect life and safety.
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
Mental health is a major problem in this country. But it makes no sense to divert funds from the public safety of all citizens for this purpose. Alternative funding sources should be used.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Convicted Felons and Mentally ill or incompetent persons should not be allowed to purchase guns.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Strongly Disagree
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?
Conservative
I am a conservative. I am not what I would term a ultra-right-wing conservative who spends all their time on the rhetoric and little time on the solutions. I am a problem solver who is willing to win the skirmishes rather than complain that we didn't win the war. Until we have 60 Senators, winning the wars will need to rely on pragmatic efforts to incrementally make progress towards winning the wars.
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
I don't have time to do this, my record is in business, non-profit, and service to the Republican Party (elected twice as state chairman, three times as National Committeeman. To do that in the state of Utah you need to be a conservative.)
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
Fiscal Responsibility - Reduce the Growth Rate of Government to lower the Debt and to balance the Budget Administrative State - Reign in the bureaucracy to prevent legislating new policies and to shrink the size of the Administrative State through attrition and elimination. National Security - Rebuild the Military, Secure Border, Energy Independence, 2nd Amendment Rights, Religious Liberty, Parental Rights Land Issues - in the State of Utah, 70% of the land is federally controlled. Move towards State control of federal land to fulfill the constitutional intent and to be better stewards of the land. Water Issues - Create new solutions for providing water to Utah, a very arid state. There are ways to create new sources of water that will allow more water to stay upstream in Utah.
VALUES
Sexual orientation and gender identity should be protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Neutral
We should love every human being as a child of God. And we must protect parental rights. And, we need to allow people to enter into contracts and enjoy the freedoms of association, housing, and medical care. It is not clear that we need new laws to accomplish this. Creating special classes for every circumstance or new "condition" is not necessary. In essence, everyone should be a protected class when it comes to the rights and privileges God has endowed us with.
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I must love God and Love His children. These are the two great commandments. I strive to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. His teachings inform me on how I make decisions in business, politics, and everyday life. I believe in the power of prayer and that miracles are possible. The birth of a child is a miracle. The smile to one downtrodden is a miracle. The prompting to call a friend who needed you at a given moment, is a miracle. We are called to bless the lives of others. God created us to have joy. Joy is achieved by serving others.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Proof of Citizenship. Required "cleaning" of voter rolls older than two presidential election cycles. Non-internet connected voting.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Organizations that continue to look at every issue through the lens of race and radicalize those to violence based on that view is a threat to domestic security.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
A, There is a reasonable balance between protecting the environment, becoming energy independent and preserving our way of life. They are not mutually exclusive. Much of the debate is not whether we should be utilizing alternative energy sources, but rather, the timetable to do so.
