Hough: GOP agenda for session will focus on help for small businesses, crime reduction Old and new Senate Republican leaders: From left, Sens. Steve Hershey, Michael Hough, Bryan Simonaire, and J.B. Jennings. Simonaire and Hough were elected by the Senate Rpublican caucus as minority leader and minority whip, replacing Jennings and Hershey in those positions. Senate GOP caucus photo. @BryanRenbaum MarylandReporter.com spoke with Senate Minority Whip Michael Hough (R-Frederick and Carroll) on Wednesday evening about his views on a series of police reform bills and his goals for the upcoming legislative session. Hough was elected to his leadership position in October. Hough sits on the Senate Judicial Proceedings (JPR) Committee. Outside of Annapolis, Hough serves as chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.). Mooney represented Frederick in the Maryland Senate from 1999-2011. The session is scheduled to begin on Jan. 13, 2021.