Ashlee Matthews

Ashlee Matthews was born in West Valley, Utah. Matthews' career experience includes working with the Utah Department of Transportation and as the director of events of and co-founding The Single Parent Project. She has served as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah and a Giving Tree coordinator for the UA Local 140 Ladies Auxiliary.[1][2]

Ashlee Matthews has not yet completed [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

If you are Ashlee Matthews, click here to fill out [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out the candidate survey?

Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete [the profile publisher]'s Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's [the profile publisher] profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for.  More than 32,000 candidates have taken [the profile publisher]'s candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the survey here.

Help improve [the profile publisher] - send us candidate contact info.

Ashlee Matthews did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Ashlee Matthews did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Ashlee Matthews, and I am running to represent my friends and neighbors in the working class neighborhood of House District 38.

I have had the opportunity to serve the public for the last nine years in my work for the Utah Department of Transportation, and my husband is a Union Pipefitter. Together we are raising our two small boys in the home that my husband grew up in, in the neighborhood of Oquirrh Shadows.

I have had the opportunity to serve my community in several capacities, and look forward to using my experience to make sure that all of Utah's working class families have a seat at the table. Being a working Mom I understand the obstacles that many working families face day-to-day.

The issues that I am fighting for are not partisan issues, rather they are working family issues. I will bring a fresh set of eyes and a fresh set of ideas to tackle the issues facing everyday working families, and I will work tirelessly to solve them.

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?

Affordable daycare and after school programsExpanding transportation and accessibility to the West sideLiveable wages and healthcare for all workers

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Transportation and accessibility

Public education funding

Ratifying the ERA

Establishing a state prevailing wage

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I am lucky enough to be surrounded by strong, stubborn, smart women and always have been. I was raised in a family full of men and women who helped me understand that you never stop learning, and you never stop moving, take care of those less fortunate than you are, and as the saying goes: "if you're not at the table you're on the menu".

I will work to ensure that I always save a seat for marginalized communities at the tables to which I am sitting. I believe it will be my duty to represent everyone,  which can only happen by keeping lines of communication open to build trust and respect and save space and amplify the voices for those who have been underserved and disenfranchised.

I look forward to the opportunity.

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

I am not sure I could sum it up in just one. As the saying goes, "I am a sum of all parts". There are many politicians, leaders, and thinkers who have influenced me in my life and in building my political philosophy.

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

Communication is first and foremost. If you aren't engaged in your community and in tune to the needs and the thoughts of the people who selected you to represent them, then you probably are in the wrong line of work.

The ability to work with people, regardless of whether or not you agree with them. If you have been hired to do a job, you do it and you do it well.

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

I am honest, almost to a fault. I am transparent and open in communication.

I am not afraid to try something new, and I have never been one to back down from a challenge.

I am coming into this process not as a politician, but as a member of the community who has a desire to bring real change by representing the issues and the people in the community that my family and I live in.

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

Respect. Responsiveness. Communication. Honesty. Transparent.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Hermione Granger: She's smart, she's brave, she's honest and she's loyal.

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

I absolutely believe that it is beneficial, and even vital, to build relationships with other legislators. The impacts of the choices that are made and the bills and laws that are passed will be felt by all of Utah's residents, so making sure that everyone can work together, even if they don't agree, is essential.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

There are several women in our current Legislative body that I admire for their tenacity and their drive.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

NO