Delegate Steve Schuh has released the following statement in support of Mike, "Mike Hough has a long-standing record of service to our Country as a member of the armed forces and to the Republican Party as an elected official, Legislative Aide and volunteer. Mike is a Reagan-style conservative who stands for fiscal responsibility and traditional American values."

Below is the press release where the two Republican Central Committees are stating that they intend to submit two separate names for the Republican replacement for a House of Delegates seat vacated by Delegate Rick Weldon who was elected as a Republican.

If they proceed with this plan, it would allow the Democrat Governor, Martin O'Malley, to choose which Republican Delegate he prefers. 95.4 percent of the voters live in Frederick County, and 4.6 percent live in Washington County. Mike Hough won the vote from the Frederick County Republican Central Committee with a clear majority of 5 votes for Mike Hough, 3 for Charles Jenkins, and 1 vote for John Lovell.

It is urgent that we contact members of the Washington and Frederick County Republican Central Committees and ask them to delay submitting the two separate names until a process can be worked out for Republicans to agree on just one name.

Frederick County Republican Central Committee Press Release

FCRCC and WCRCC Vote on Replacement to Vacant Delegate Seat

Frederick, MD Wednesday, January 06, 2010: The Frederick County Republican Central Committee (FCRCC) and the Washington County Republican Central Committee (WCRCC) met this evening to fill the vacant seat in the Maryland House of Delegates (District 3B).

The three final candidates were Mike Hough, Charles Jenkins and John Lovell. Each candidate was independently interviewed during a joint interview with both Committees.

The final votes were cast by each sitting member of both Committees.

After thoughtful discussion and deliberation, Mike Hough, was the chosen candidate to fill the vacant seat by the FCRCC. Charles Jenkins was chosen as the candidate by the WCRCC.

The final nominations will be hand delivered the Governor's Office on Thursday morning. The Governor will have up to 15 days to make the appointment official. It is anticipated that the Governor will perform this important task prior to January 13th which is the beginning of the 2010 General Session.

For further inquiries, please contact Frederick County Republican Central Committee Chairman Kelly Schulz at 240-285-5540, or kmsremax@aol.com or Washington County Republican Central Committee Chairman Paula Lampton at 717-504-2053 or paulalampton@yahoo.com.

The National Rifle Association has given Michael Hough an A rating for the Republican Central Committee Election to fill Delegate Rick Weldon's vacated seat.

Michael's "AQ" rating on his NRA questionnaire is the highest grade possible for non-incumbents. Andrew Jennison, Maryland State Liaison for the NRA stated "Our members will interpret your "AQ" rating as being a pro-Second Amendment and pro-hunting candidate who supports gun owners and sportsmen in Maryland."

In addition to Hough's recent A rating from the NRA, During his time working for State Senator Alex Mooney and later as a Task Force Director at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), he has worked on many issues important to gun owners.

"I have worked to pass right-to-carry legislation in Maryland and around the country and worked to pass 'castle doctrine' legislation which allows law-abiding citizens to protect their homes and property," stated Hough.

The NRA's Second Vice President David Keene has stated about Hough, "He's got a backbone and is the kind of candidate we can rally around."