Matthew Hoh was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Hoh served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1998 to 2008. He earned a bachelor's degree from Tufts University in 1995.[1]
Matthew Hoh completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hoh's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
It is hard to think of a problem that doesn't have a solution in our country. However, solutions can't be enacted because of the political and financial corruption endemic in our two-party system. 62% of Americans want a third party in power, so please join and support this campaign for political independence from the lesser of two evils political racket to build expansive, fair and inclusive democracy.
For decades, government policies have made corporations and the wealthy richer while working-class families struggle. We must reverse these policies and give working families ownership in their lives. All Americans should have a foundation of equality and equity that begins with healthcare, education, housing and livable wages as human rights. This includes a universal and comprehensive single-payer health care system, a Green Reconstruction, student and medical debt cancellation, a guarantee of housing as a human right, free higher education, and wages that allow families to thrive and stay consistent with inflation increases, especially housing costs, and productivity gains.
We have witnessed no accountability or justice for the overseas wars of the last two decades; the failed War on Drugs, which now delivers 100,000 dead Americans through overdoses every year; a criminal for-profit healthcare system that was broken and failing before the pandemic; an existential climate crisis; and on and on. We must hold accountable those who have been in power and brought us to this point. We must heal, rebuild, and provide for the people, including future generations. Actual ownership of our political system by the people necessarily involves seeking justice and responsibility for past crimes and wrongdoing, something that has not occurred under either Democrat or Republican governments.
I have been positively influenced by many works of art, philosophy and history, as well as by historical events. What stands out in my mind as I answer this question are: John Brown's speech at his trial in 1859; Leo Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God is Within You; Martin Luther King's Beyond Vietnam sermon; TH White's The Once and Future King/The Book of Merlyn; Franklin Roosevelt's call for a Second Bill of Rights; Roxanna Dunbar-Ortiz's An Indigenous People's History of the United States; the Proclamation of Irish Independence in 1916; and Bree Newsome's removal of the Confederate Flag in South Carolina in 2015.
The first characteristic for me is integrity. An elected official must also have a purpose based on well-stated and clearly expressed principles and political philosophy. Integrity and purpose must be informed by life experience with significant hardships and suffering that have taught the elected official humility and compassion while strengthening their will and ability to overcome moral and political challenges.
A US senator should represent and defend the public, including the public's air, water and land, the working family, and the individual. This has not been the case in the past and is undoubtedly not today's reality.
As North Carolina's US senator, I will be unrecognizable from the other 99 men and women in the US Senate. I will protect and promote the people of North Carolina while holding accountable members of Congress and the President. I will perform critical and harsh oversight on federal agencies, especially the Pentagon, the intelligence agencies and federal law enforcement, and I will always put workers, their families and our planet before any corporation or bank.
Due to my experiences in the Iraq war and my time in the Marine Corps, I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other "invisible" wounds. I have spoken openly and honestly about these issues for many years. I have found that talking publicly about my struggles with these disabilities has strengthened me. Speaking publicly has also helped others, just as I have been helped by others sharing about their disabilities and recoveries.
The TBI was very debilitating. Due to daily migraines, extreme fatigue and cognitive dysfunction, among other symptoms, I was unable to earn a paycheck for nearly five years. This was a very humbling and trying experience; however, thanks to my doctors and therapists and supportive family and friends, I have made a recovery that allows me to run for this office.
Though those years were incredibly difficult, I am stronger for them. I come into this campaign with an appreciation for the suffering and struggles of others, a better understanding of myself mentally, physically and spiritually, and a commitment to make the most of my life through service to others.
I am blessed to have recovered in the manner I have and I am grateful, beyond words, to all who have helped me heal and rebuild my life.
We must end the political corruption that dominates and controls Congress and the White House. We are faced with the very real apocalyptic dangers of climate change and nuclear war. We are suffering the consequences of decades of overseas wars and the War on Drugs. Working families are overwhelmed with the costs of housing, education, healthcare and consumer goods, all while their wages decline. We are a bitterly divided society consumed with identity politics and culture war; meanwhile, real racial injustices, such as the massive wealth gap between white and Black, Native and Latino families, continue to harm so many of our brothers and sisters.
There is so much to add to the above, but these problems worsen every year and go unresolved because of the United States’ two-party duopoly that is beholden to corporate and Wall Street money. A majority of Americans recognize this as the problem. The answer is not to continue participating in and prolonging the two-party system but to assert political independence. To achieve political independence and reimagine, remake and rebuild our political system and rescue our country, we must end political corruption. To do that, we must end the lesser evil two-party system.
I believe term limits are necessary and practical. I also think we need not just term limits for members of Congress, but also to change the length of term for members of the House of Representatives while changing the presidential term to one six-year term. In addition to getting money out of politics, and other reforms, such as preventing members of Congress from becoming lobbyists, it is necessary to stop politicians from constantly campaigning.
My thoughts are that House members should be able to serve for two terms of three years each, Senators for two terms of six years each, and the President for one six-year term. These changes will reduce the constant campaign cycle that House members are obliged to participate in and cause the President to concentrate on executing their vision in a single term, rather than worrying about re-election. These term limits give elected leaders six years to accomplish their goals; if someone cannot complete their intentions in six years, they should not be in public office.
In addition to term limits, I will work for many other substantive and meaningful electoral reforms that will strengthen and expand our democracy. These reforms include: abolishing the electoral college, adopting ranked-choice voting, enacting proportional representation, and establishing public financing of campaigns as the only source of money in politics. Please see the issues page on my website for more information on my vision for strengthening and expanding our democracy.
Whatever (dubious) usefulness it may have served in centuries past has long been lost. Most importantly, members of Congress utilized the filibuster in the 20th century to block civil rights and restrict liberties. Today it is nothing more than an anti-democratic mechanism meant to maintain legislative gridlock and prevent progress, and both major parties use it for this purpose. It is important to remember the filibuster's historical legacy and modern reasons. The Constitution gives the power of veto to the President and not the Senate.
I will work and vote not to amend or adjust the filibuster but to end it.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Note: Hoh submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on January 30, 2022.
It is hard to think of a problem that doesn't have a solution in our country. However, solutions can't be enacted because of the political and financial corruption endemic in our two-party system. 62% of Americans want a third party in power, so please join and support this campaign for political independence from the lesser of two evils political racket to build expansive, fair and inclusive democracy.
For decades, government policies have made corporations and the wealthy richer while working-class families struggle. We must reverse these policies and give American workers and their families ownership in their lives. All Americans should have a foundation of equality and equity that begins with healthcare, education, housing and livable wages as human rights. This includes a universal and comprehensive single-payer health care system, a Green Reconstruction, student and medical debt cancellation, a guarantee of housing as a human right, free higher education, and wages that allow families to thrive and stay consistent with inflation increases, especially housing costs, and productivity gains. For too many decades, government policies h
We have witnessed no accountability or justice for the overseas wars of the last two decades; the failed War on Drugs, which now delivers 100,000 dead Americans through overdoses every year; a criminal for-profit healthcare system that was broken and failing before the pandemic; an existential climate crisis; and on and on. We must hold accountable those who have been in power and brought us to this point. When I say accountable, I mean not just holding elected representatives to account through the ballot box but also using criminal and civil means to provide justice. This accountability would include congressional investigations, inquiries and hearings that would lead to jail time, loss of pension and benefits, and prohibition from futu
First, it is holding elected and government officials, including generals and admirals, accountable. Second, it is ensuring all Americans have a lifetime foundation of healthcare, education, housing and livable wages as human rights. Third, it is the understanding that without protecting the planet and our shared future, none of this has any meaning.
Many works of art, philosophy and history have positively influenced me. However, what stands out in my mind as I answer this question are: John Brown's speech at his trial in 1859; Leo Tolstoy's works The Kingdom of God is Within You, Resurrection and What Men Live By; TH White's novels The Once and Future King and The Book of Merlyn; Franklin Roosevelt's call for a Second Bill of Rights; and the Proclamation of Irish Independence in 1916.
-Purpose based on well stated and clearly expressed principles and political philosophy;
-Life experience with some significant hardships and suffering that have taught the politician humility and compassion while strengthening a will and persistence to overcome.
A US senator should represent and defend the people, including the public's air, water and land, the working family and the individual. This has not been the case in the past and is undoubtedly not today's reality.
As North Carolina's US senator, I will be unrecognizable from the other 99 men and women in the US Senate. I will protect and promote the people of North Carolina while holding accountable members of Congress and the President. I will perform critical and harsh oversight on federal agencies, especially the Pentagon, the intelligence agencies and federal law enforcement, and I will always put workers, their families and our planet before any corporation or bank.
Due to my experiences in the Iraq war and my time in the Marine Corps, I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other "invisible" wounds. I have spoken openly and honestly about these issues for many years. I have found that talking publicly about my struggles with these disabilities has strengthened me as it has helped others, just as I have been helped by others sharing about their disabilities and recoveries.
The TBI was very debilitating. Due to daily migraines, extreme fatigue and cognitive dysfunction, among other symptoms, I was unable to earn a paycheck for nearly five years. This was a very humbling and trying experience; however, thanks to my doctors and therapists and supportive family and friends, I have made a recovery that allows me to run for this office.
Though those years were incredibly difficult, I am stronger for them. I come into this campaign with an appreciation for the suffering and struggles of others, a better understanding of myself mentally, physically and spiritually, and a commitment to make the most of my life through service to others.
I am blessed to have recovered in the manner I have and I am grateful, beyond words, to all who have helped me heal and rebuild my life.
We must end the political corruption that dominates and controls Congress and the White House. We are faced with the very real apocalyptic dangers of climate change and nuclear war. We are suffering the consequences of decades of overseas wars and the War on Drugs. Working families are overwhelmed with the costs of housing, education, healthcare and consumer goods, all while their wages decline. We are a bitterly divided society consumed with identity politics and culture war; meanwhile, real racial injustices, such as the massive wealth gap between white and Black, Native and Latino families, continue to grow.
There is so much to add to the above, but these problems worsen every year and go unresolved because of the United States’ two-party duopoly that is beholden to corporate and Wall Street money. A majority of Americans recognize this as the problem. The answer is not to continue participating in and prolonging the two-party system but to assert political independence. To achieve political independence and reimagine, remake and rebuild our political system and rescue our country, we must end political corruption. To do that, we must end the lesser evil two-party system.
I believe term limits are necessary and practical. I also think we need not just term limits for members of Congress, but also to change the length of term for members of the House of Representatives while changing the presidential term to one six-year term. In addition to getting money out of politics, and other reforms, such as preventing members of Congress from becoming lobbyists, it is necessary to stop politicians from constantly campaigning.
My thoughts are that House members should be able to serve for two terms of three years each, Senators for two terms of six years each, and the President for one six-year term. These changes will reduce the constant campaign cycle that House members are obliged to participate in and cause the President to concentrate on executing their vision in a single term, rather than worrying about re-election. These term limits give elected leaders six years to accomplish their goals; if someone cannot complete their intentions in six years, they should not be in public office.
In addition to term limits, I will work for many other substantive and meaningful electoral reforms that will strengthen and expand our democracy. These reforms include: End the electoral college and elect the President by popular vote; End gerrymandering. Utilize widely available, open-source computer programs to create fair, rational and just voting districts; Adopt ranked-choice voting for all elections; Ensure fair, equal and attainable ballot access for independent candidates and all parties; End money in politics. We have a system of legalized bribery that is at the root of so many of our problems. Campaigns should be publicly financed, and campaigning permitted only during limited windows of time; Members of Congress should not be allowed to make investment transactions while in office, and their and their families' investments should be held in blind trusts with annual options to withdraw or further invest. Members of Congressional committee
Whatever (dubious) usefulness it may have served in centuries past has long been lost. Most importantly, members of Congress utilized the filibuster in the 20th century to block civil rights and restrict liberties. Today it is nothing more than an anti-democratic mechanism meant to maintain legislative gridlock and prevent progress, and both major parties use it for this purpose. It is important to remember the filibuster's historical legacy and modern reasons. The Constitution gives the power of veto to the President and not the Senate.
I will work and vote not to amend or adjust the filibuster but to end it.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Note: Hoh submitted the above survey responses to Ballotpedia on January 18, 2022.
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