Andy Matthews

In addition to his career as a political candidate and state lawmaker, Matthews worked as a staffer for political campaigns, first in New Jersey in 2005 and then in Nevada after 2006. After his unsuccessful 2016 congressional campaign, he became the executive director of the Morning in Nevada PAC, a political action committee affiliated with Adam Laxalt, the former Attorney General of Nevada.[3][4]

Before his political work, he was a sports writer and editor for Fox Sports and MLB.com. From 2007 through 2015 he worked for the Nevada Policy Research Institute (NPRI), a free-market nonprofit, and was the NPRI president from 2011 through 2015.[5][6][7]

Matthews was born in 1978 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and graduated from Boston University’s College of Communication in 2000. He relocated to Nevada in 2006. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Las Vegas.[8][9][10] Matthews earned a B.A. in journalism from Boston University in 2000.[11][12] His career experience includes working as the president of the Nevada Policy Research Institute, a sports writer, and an editor.[11][10][12]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am the former President of the Nevada Policy Research Institute, Nevada's leading proponent of limited government, individual liberty, free-market policies and conservative principles. I'm running to protect the ideals that have long made Nevada a land of opportunity and prosperity.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I support keeping taxes low, rolling back burdensome regulations, and maintaining an environment where people have access to quality jobs and economic opportunity.I will fight to bring more parental choice and accountability to Nevada's failing education system.I will prioritize public safety, ensuring our law-enforcement community has the tools to keep our neighborhoods and communities safe. I oppose dangerous sanctuary city policies.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My top priorities as Nevada's next Assemblyman from District 37 will be: maintaining a business and economic environment that fosters prosperity and opportunity; promoting reforms that will increase parental choice in education and create more accountability for education spending; opposing policies, such as sanctuary cities, that threaten the safety of our citizens; and upholding constitutional principles and the ideals of individual liberty,

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Road to Serfdom by Friedrich Hayek, and The Law by Frederic Bastiat

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, integrity, and loyalty to the rule of law and constitutional principles.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Honesty, integrity, and an understanding of the policy-making process in our state.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To preserve liberty and defend the constitution.

What legacy would you like to leave?

As a leader who advanced the cause of liberty.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

The most important thing is to stand on principle, and promote the policy solutions that will make our state a better place for all of our citizens.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Rebuilding our economy and improving our education system, while removing barriers to opportunity.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely. Working with other legislators is crucial in order to serve the people of my state. Public service means building consensus and providing leadership on the issues that affect our citizens the most.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I have a long-time friend who was a business owner in Nevada, but had to leave the state because the growing tax and regulatory burden made it impossible to continue to be successful and operate his business. He had to let his workers go and move away from Nevada. Government should never get so big and burdensome that we limit opportunity and make it so difficult to run a business and get a good job. When it does, all of us suffer - our businesses, families and workers. I will fight to make sure Nevada is a land of limitless opportunity.

According to Matthews, "America needs serious solutions to real problems, not more broken promises." The following statements are campaign issues highlighted on Matthews' campaign website.[26]

Economy:

"Our federal government taxes too much, spends too much, regulates too much, and spends too much time trying to run our lives. Washington politicians seem to have no understanding of how to promote economic prosperity. I support common-sense policies that will create economic growth and opportunity for every American. We need to cut spending and lower taxes, not increase them. Our $18 trillion debt is staggering— and it’s killing jobs, dragging down our economy, and threatening our future. As your Congressman, I will continue to fight for fiscal sanity, just as I have here in Nevada."[26]

Immigration:

"Our immigration system is a mess. But before we talk about anything else, we need to secure the border. Congress controls the purse strings and writes the laws. Members of Congress could secure the border right this instant, as you’re reading this—and they should. There are a lot of other issues we have to deal with concerning illegal immigration. But we can’t address any of them seriously unless we first secure our border. As long as millions of people continue to stream into America illegally, we have a major problem. As your Congressman, I will focus on border security and won’t play the political games."[26]

Healthcare:

"Health care is too expensive and not easily accessible for too many Americans—and Obamacare made everything worse. The first step in solving these problems is to repeal Obamacare entirely. Before Washington bureaucrats began meddling in every aspect of our health care system, treatment was much more affordable. The best way to bring down costs is to make prices more transparent and force insurance and health care companies to compete. More government intrusion is not the solution. As your Congressman, I will work to repeal Obamacare and apply market-based solutions that will actually make health care more affordable and more accessible."[26]

Regulations and Role of Government:

"Today, so much of what our government does is dictated by an army of unaccountable, unelected bureaucrats in the Executive Branch. They enforce top-down, one-size-fits-all regulations that cost our country billions, without any regard for businesses’ or industries’ unique circumstances or the separation-of-powers principle. Only by removing governmental barriers and empowering free individuals will we return to an era of opportunity and prosperity, and unleash the creative and innovative American spirit that will lead to more jobs and a stronger economy. As your Congressman, I will fight to roll back regulations and limit government to the role prescribed by our Constitution."[26]