MATTHEW’S STORY
Matthew was born and raised to a pharmacy tech turned stay-at-home mom, and an essential worker and former Teamster in the Milwaukee area. He was taught from an early age the value of treating others with dignity, compassion, and respect, as well as the importance of serving others.
When Donald Trump was elected President, Matthew felt called to politics and service knowing that the next generation had a responsibility to steer our country in the right direction after years of divisiveness and hate. In High School, he went on to serve as a two-term Class President, then Student Council President, Senior Patrol Leader of his BSA troop, and many other roles.
Matthew moved to Eau Claire in 2021 to study Political Science with a certificate in Social Advocacy and Change at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Like so many people, he fell in love with Eau Claire and got involved in serving others, where he was first elected President of Towers Hall and served as Co-Secretary of the Eau Claire County Democratic Party. He currently serves as President of UW-Eau Claire College Democrats and Second-Vice Chair of Wisconsin College Democrats. In these roles, he has been recognized for his campus organizing efforts, which have led to impressive progressive victories. Particularly for the record-breaking turnout on the UWEC campus during the 2023 spring election, which received international attention.
Matthew also played a significant role in getting both the Marijuana and Abortion Non-binding referendums on the ballot in Eau Claire County. He chaired the YES campaign for both referendums and even helped to craft the Abortion referendum legislation with Supervisor Judy Gatlin.
Additionally, Matthew was also selected, and then eventually re-elected to serve as a Student Senator on the UW-Eau Claire Student senate. On the Senate, Matthew has authored nearly 6 pieces of legislation regarding transparency, voting rights, and reproductive rights. As a Senator, Matthew also represents UW-Eau Claire on the Eau Claire City Transit Commission and on the Pablo Center for the Arts Central Governance committee, as well as the Student Misconduct Review Board, and Queer & Trans Action. Because of his work, he was honored with the award of Senator of the Year in 2023.
Matthew continues to use his voice and skills to fight for the people of his community and state, where he can be seen frequently giving public testimony at local and state government meetings, and fighting back against right-wing extremists.
In Matthew’s free time, he can be seen outdoors, where he loves hunting and fishing, playing the violin, enjoying symphony concerts and the arts, traveling and experiencing new places and people alone or with friends, or spending quality time with his partner Tucker.