Starting in 1994, Hofer started working for the FPÖ, first as an organization officer in the [[Burgenland]] chapter of the party and eventually advancing to positions of party leadership.<ref name="Parliament"/> Hofer has held several positions of party leadership<ref name="Parliament"/> and he served as an advisor to FPÖ leader [[Heinz-Christian Strache]].<ref name="TheGuardian"/>
In 1997, Hofer was elected a council member of the City of Eisenstadt, a position he would serve in until 2007.<ref name="Parliament"/> In 2005, he became the deputy chairman of the national FPÖ, and the next year he was elected to the Austrian National Council.<ref name="Parliament"/> In October 2013, Hofer became the Third President (third most senior leader, after the [[Austrian People's Party]] and Social Democratic Party leaders).<ref name="Parliament"/> In 2016, during the postponed presidential election, Hofer, along with the other two National Council presidents, served as the joint acting president of Austria.<ref>Tasch, Barbara (July 1, 2016). [httphttps://www.businessinsider.com/austrian-court-just-overturns-presidential-election-narrowly-lost-by-a-far-right-candidate-2016-7?r=UK&IR=T An Austrian court just overturned the presidential election narrowly lost by a far-right candidate]. ''International Business Times''. Retrieved December 20, 2016.</ref>
==2016 Austrian presidential election==
While Hofer has been called "far-right" by [[Mainstream media|left-leaning media outlets]], he has described himself as "middle right" during the 2016 election.<ref name="RT">[https://www.rt.com/news/369054-austria-hofer-frontrunner-interview/ ‘I’m middle right, not far-right & I don’t like extremes’ – Austria’s frontrunner Hofer to RT]. ''RT''. December 2, 2016. Retrieved December 20, 2016.</ref> Hofer is a gun enthusiast and regularly carries a [[Glock]].<ref name="TheGuardian"/> He strongly opposes [[Islam]].<ref name="TheGuardian"/> Although Hofer is skeptical of the [[socialist]] and [[Globalism|globalist]] [[European Union]] and supports "putting Austria first,"<ref name="TheGuardian"/> he opposed a referendum to leave the power-hungry organization during the 2016 election (although he originally supported such a referendum before attempting to moderate his views).<ref name="RT"/> He still supported leaving the EU if [[Turkey (Nation)|Turkey]] joined.<ref name="RT"/>
During the 2016 Austrian presidential election, one of Hofer's campaign slogans was "So help me God," which was created to reflect Europe's strong [[Christianity|Christian]] heritage.<ref name="Protestant">[httphttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37749825 Austria Protestant leaders slam Hofer over 'God' slogan]. ''BBC''. Retrieved December 20, 2016.</ref> However, Protestant Christian leaders, who in Europe are [[liberal|politically]] and [[Theological liberalism|theologically]] radical liberal, criticized Hofer for the slogan because of his opposition to large-scale immigration—even though other biblical Christian options exist for helping refugees that promise less unnecessary upheaval.<ref name="Protestant"/><ref>Zaimov, Stoyan (October 25, 2016). [http://www.christianpost.com/news/church-leaders-lash-out-austrian-politician-invoking-god-campaign-slogan-171078/ Church Leaders Lash Out at Austrian Politician for Invoking 'God' in Campaign Speech]. ''The Christian Post''. Retrieved December 20, 2016.</ref>
==Personal life==