Michael Hoover

Michael Hoover was born in Jackson, Michigan. Hoover earned a bachelor's degree from Northwood University in 1988. His career experience includes being a business owner.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Michael Hoover. I’m a born and raised Michigander. I married my high school sweetheart from small town Brooklyn, MI, and we have spent our lives raising four amazing children. We’re blessed with eight grandchildren, with number nine on the way.

I am not a politician. I’m a Christian, a husband, a dad and grandfather, and a small business owner. Much of my life experience has involved building communities and businesses through innovation, determination, and working with great people. Government needs an outsider, some healthy creativity, and a serious reduction in size.

My mission and message are simple: Trust, Liberty, and Happiness. We need to restore trust in our government and our elected leaders. Without trust, we’re left with a despondent, divided, and disinterested America. During the past political seasons, our increasingly centralized government has attacked our liberty, devalued our currency, and displaced American free enterprise.

Happiness and the liberty to pursue it. That’s what we all want: for our children and grandchildren, for our friends, and ourselves. My goal is to earn your trust and your vote through an open, honest, and balanced approach. I’m looking forward to meeting you and pursuing our common cause together.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Rebuilding America’s Middle Class: Why it Matters: The middle-class is the soul of our nation and the backbone of every American community, comprising over 50% of the country’s population and producing 60% of its GDP. It’s unacceptable that so many of our nation’s hard-working families are struggling to make ends meet. Where I Stand: 1) End the spending–>borrowing–>dollar-printing–>inflation cycle. 2) Reinvest in all forms of domestic production. 3) Incentivize work in support of families through targeted tax credits. 4) Tax Chinese imports at 25% and shift all outsourcing away from China.Advancing Education: Why it Matters: Education is a fundamental right and a key driver of individual and societal success across the state and our nation. While traditional public schools play a critical role in our communities, we must also recognize that a one-size-fits-all approach to education does not work for every student, and that parents are key stakeholders in the education of their children. Where I Stand: 1) Empower parents, teachers, and local communities to have greater control over the education of their children. 2) Allow families to choose the educational setting that best meets the needs of their children, including private schools, charter schools, and homeschooling. 3) Remove all forms of progressive educational indoctrConfronting China Why it Matters: Within our lifetimes, China is set to become the global economic superpower. At present, China represents a legitimate threat to our national security, our economic growth and stability, and our global allies. Where I Stand: 1) Immediately eliminate all methods by which China acquires American properties and farmland. 2) Introduce legislation prioritizing American businesses and workers. 3) Address China’s expanding military threat to our nation and our allies. 4) Counter China’s intellectual property theft and propagandistic influence in American politics 5) Ban American investment in strategic Chinese industries.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Reforming Washington: Authentic freedom is essential to human well-being and community flourishing. The Federal Government’s social and economic policies are crushing the people of Michigan. The fact throughout history is that whenever a government dominates the economic and social affairs of its citizens, a free society is eroded, then destroyed, and a minority government ensues.

Where I Stand:

1) Greatly reduce the size and power of the administrative state, including the IRS. 2)Reduce regulatory burdens and promote a pro-growth agenda. 3) Implement a simple flat tax, and clean up the tax code. 4) Oppose wasteful spending, including foreign nation-building projects. 4) Allow Michiganders to keep more of their own money and spend it as they see fit. 5) End the Federal Reserve’s continual destruction of the American dollar & the middle-class. 6) Restore the stability of the American dollar. 6) Introduce legislation requiring greater transparency by the lobbying machine. 7)Introduce legislation to limit the amount of spending by lobbyists.

Ensuring Energy Security: One of the biggest contributors to America’s economic health is energy production and distribution.

Where I Stand: 1) Restore our energy independence, providing Americans the security of reliable power. 2) Expand responsible domestic oil and gas production. 3) Promote the use of safe, reliable, low-emission nuclear energy. 4) Incentivize energy-efficient and energy-saving practices.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Billy Graham and Ronald Reagan. They both spoke the truth in charity; they loved liberty, and believed in the great promises and possibilities of America.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

–– The Bible

–– *Mere Christianity* by C.S. Lewis

–– *The U.S. Constitution: a Reader* by the Hillsdale College Politics Faculty

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, heart, and vision.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I'm a Christian, a husband, and a father. I'm a man of my word. I've been humbled by a lifetime of joy and sorrow. I'm grateful to be a citizen of our nation. I've lived in small towns like Brooklyn, the big city Detroit, the suburbs such as Novi and the country life, in Laingsburg. This experience has helped see and appreciate the vast uniqueness and commonality in the good people of Michigan.

I believe these qualities would allow me to be a successful officeholder:

Integrity - Being consistent with who I say I am.

Care & Compassion - People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

Unrelenting Drive - Always strive forward and always find a way.

Experience - I've studied economics and policies for most of my life. My life has been dedicated to serving others with excellence including my neighbors in my community and globally.

Willing to Learn - I love to learn and always pursue knowledge and experience from others. I've learned you can grow and gain from everyone.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To secure and protect the rights of those whom he or she has sworn to represent.

To listen and be accountable to the voters.

To deliver on the promises made.

To follow and live up to the constitution.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The greatest legacy any man can hope to leave behind is the health, happiness, and holiness of his family.

This legacy would be my pursuit as statesman in our republic.

To restore trust and liberty allowing for our citizens to pursue happiness as they see fit.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

When I was twelve, I remember riding my bike down Main St. in the Tecumseh Bicentennial parade; I'd attached red, white, and blue, crepe paper to the handle bars celebrating America.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

As a kid, I earned spending money chopping firewood and baling straw. During my college years, I worked in a factory making automotive parts, coached a middle school football team, and was a sports official. After graduating from Northwood University, I began my professional career with the Dow Chemical Company, where I spent seven years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

When we are Free - It helped understand, at the outset of my education, to understand the absolute need for our country to preserve freedom. It provides the basis of how our country was formed on Christian values and principles such thou shall not steal infers that we have a right to private property.

This book and the ongoing education planted a seed in me to always stand for liberty and truth.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

It's a toss-up between Rocky Balboa and Coach Boone.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Gonna Fly Now

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I spent a lot of time in my younger years forgetful of what's most important. Life experience is humbling yet the basis of how we become who are to be.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

On the domestic front, we find ourselves in a house divided, politically, socially, and economically. We're also teetering dangerously on the edge of true energy instability, and most Americans are suffering from the effects of economic volatility and manipulation.

Globally, the growth of China and their alliance with Iran represents a legitimate foreign threat to the security of our nation and our allies.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I’m in favor of term limits. There are plenty of examples of lifelong politicians gaining the system after multiple terms in office. I also understand that the job takes time to learn to do well, and appreciate the value of an elected representative having extended leadership roles, especially when positive improvements are a result of their service. But the very notion of a "career politician" should seem foreign to us. And we should also demand that our elected officials deliver: In the real world; when we fail to provide excellence at work, we are displaced. We must apply the same metric to our elected officials.

We always need to seek a balance. We're currently out of sync, with too many career politicians locking in their seats for too many years.

What qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Every two years, one-third of the Senate’s members are elected or re-elected.

Sole power to confirm Presidential appointments.

Sits as jury in impeachment trials.

Consent of treaties.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for senators to have previous experience in government or politics?

While previous experience in government and politics can be beneficial for senators, some experience may not be helpful or germane to the position, especially the kind that insulates a senator from the real experiences of the people he or she represents, or that which causes a collective form of groupthink.

I’m of the view that life experiences, principles, and values, are more important.

Leadership is essential for the role in the Senate.

I believe it includes these four personal qualities and values,

1. Integrity: consistently being the same person on the inside as he or she claims to be on the outside.

2. Personal Security: Not primarily physical or financial security, but rather a sense of emotional security or inner peace. It’s the security of being comfortable with knowing and accepting who we are, where we're going, and why we’re here.

3. A Sense of Priority: The ability to separate the important from the unimportant. It’s essential to have our priorities in life in order.

4. Vision: The gift of seeing what can be done, needs to be done, and how to get there.

What do you think of the filibuster?

The filibuster is one of the most powerful tools available to the minority to check the power of the majority. It allows for extended debate, greater time to review bills and resolutions, and forces real discussion surrounding what's truly best for the American people.

Is there a particular senator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I truly admire the wit, wisdom, and common sense approach of Rand Paul. He's a guy who sees the big picture but is always looking for practical solutions. He and I share similar views when it comes to constitutional liberties, fiscal responsibility, and limiting government overreach.

Tell us your favorite joke.

"What did the 0 say to the 8?"

"Hey man, nice belt."

How would you evaluate a judicial nominee?

A judicial nominee must demonstrate a profound understanding of established legal principles, procedures, and precedents, while also having the ability to objectively interpret and apply those principles to specific cases. Additionally, the evaluation of a nominee must include a thorough scrutiny of his or her professional record, a review of his or her published documents, and interviews with previous colleagues.

What kind of relationships would you build with other senators?

Politicians are far too frequently guilty of forming relationships that they believe are mutually-beneficial relationships of utility. I want to partner with senators who seek first what is best for the people they've sworn to represent.

These relationships need to be built based on mutually agreeable principles allowing for trust and friendship to flourish.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

When it comes to policymaking, compromise may not always be desirable, but it's always necessary.

How should the U.S. Senate use its investigative powers?

-- To be transparent to the public

-- To draft and pass good legislation based on true information

-- To hold elected and appointed officials accountable

What criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees to their Cabinet?

The Congressional Research Service provides helpful guidance on the significance and potential impact for various positions. It’s critical that appointees are scrutinized in terms of their character, qualifications, experience, and policy views.