Meet Matt.
Matt’s a Midwestern Democrat and proud Blaine resident. Born and raised in the northern suburbs, he graduated from the University of Minnesota with his business and law degrees. Matt’s already proven he can get bills passed at the Capitol. And every time, he’s worked with Republicans and Democrats to do it.
“I’m running for re-election because I still believe in government’s ability to solve community problems. I've tackled tough challenges at the local, state, and national level. During my time in the Minnesota House, I’ve proven that by building bridges and working with people from different backgrounds, we can actually get results.”
-Matt
Learn about Matt’s path to the Minnesota House of Representatives
A Career of Service to the Community
2005
Appointed first youth liaison to Brooklyn Park’s Citizen Long-Range Improvement Committee at the age of 16, launching Matt’s career of service.
2007
Founded the multi-city initiative Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth that is still going strong today.
2009
Awarded the Key to the City of Brooklyn Park for increasing activities and employment for teens which helped reduce violent crime by 40%.
2011
Started a nonprofit social enterprise that provided both a safe place after school and jobs for local youth.
2012
Honored as a White House Campus Champions of Change finalist for his community work.
2014
Helped write a new law to create Public Benefit Corporations: for-profit companies that also must achieve a social purpose like paying fair wages or helping the environment.
2015
Began working for Step Up to help low-income high school students explore careers through professional internships.
2017
Joined the Minneapolis NCAA Final Four planning team as a volunteer working on logistics and community outreach efforts.
2018
Founded Minnesota Afterschool Advance which has connected more than 1,500 youth in over 200 cities (Blaine included!) with afterschool programs and computers
2019
Named co-chair of Leadership Twin Cities.
2020
Delivered computers to over 1,300 families to help with distance learning during the pandemic.
2021
Struck a deal between Democrats and Republicans to repeal laws that prevented both high school students and seniors on social security from getting unemployment insurance.
Read a column from the Blaine Life newspaper about this victory for older and younger workers
Secured a 40% increase in funding for workforce development programs for East African youth from the Minnesota Legislature.
2022
Led Minnesota Afterschool Advance to a record $1.8 million in afterschool programs and computer devices paid for in a calendar year.
Elected to the Minnesota Houses of Representatives representing Blaine and Lexington.
2023
Hit the ground running in the Minnesota House authoring 24 bills that became law and receiving the following honors:
League of Minnesota Cities Legislator of Distinction
Clean Water Action Minnesota Ambassador Award
MICAH Community Hero Award
2024
Brought his first two standalone bills to the House floor that were signed into law by the Governor:
The Veterans and Military Affairs Policy Bill which passed the Minnesota House unanimously!
The Minnesota Cooperative Housing Act which passed the Minnesota House 128-1.
“This experience shows what can happen when people across generations and across political parties band together to right a wrong. This is how democracy is supposed to work.”
— Matt in the Blaine Life newspaper about his efforts to secure
unemployment benefits for seniors and high school students
Matt’s Leadership in the Community
Current Board and Community Involvement
Blaine Festival Committee
Children’s Law Center Volunteer Attorney
Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission (governing body of the National Sports Center)
Church of St. Timothy’s Social Justice Committee