Matt Talley

Matt Talley (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Maryland's 1st Congressional District. He did not appear on the ballot for the Democratic primary on July 19, 2022.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Matt Talley is an artist, activist, business owner and Progressive Democrat running for the United State's Congress in Maryland's First Congressional District.

As a former touring and session musician, current protest and community organizer, and owner of a digital marketing agency, Talley believes that his passions and vocation have prepared him for this moment - to communicate with people, bring them together, and fight for the future that we all so desperately need.

He's ready to flip the first and hopes you're ready as well!

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?

Matt Talley is a person, not a politician. He believes its time for normal people, especially Millennials, to step up and fight for the future they want.Matt Talley's campaign is entirely grassroots - he won't be taking a single cent from Super-Pacs, Mega-Rich Donors, or Lobbyists.Matt believes in transparency and honesty. While he knows that there are many who will never agree with him, his convictions are strong enough to disagree with someone while still always shooting straight and respecting them.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Matt Talley's platform is incredibly progressive while still remaining true to the values and ideals held by countless First District residents. Championing causes like Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, Federally legalizing Marijuana and expunging the records of those found guilty of victimless drug crimes are key policies that Talley is running on. Additionally, he supports getting big money out of politics, term limits for those serving in both Houses of Congress, and protecting the 2nd Amendment rights of all Americans while still supporting common sense firearm reform that is supported by over 80% of Americans.

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

Transparency. Tenacity. Teachability.

I believe that elected officials should first and foremost be honest. It's a trait thats gotten me into trouble in the past, but I believe that if you always shoot straight with someone, then at the very least, you can form a mutual respect between two parties, even if you'll never agree on anything.

I believe that elected officials should be bold in their convictions, they shouldn't back down and when they have a charge to execute a particular responsibility, they should tackle it head on and never tiptoe around what they've been called to do.

I believe that elected officials should be open to learning the perspectives of others as well as learning the ins and outs of whatever task they've set their hand to. America is not a "we do it because that's just what we've always done" kind of country. We grow. We learn. We change. We succeed.

What legacy would you like to leave?

As of right now, I'm single. While I'm open to the idea, I'm not sure if I'll ever have children simply because I haven't reached that crossroads in my life. But as a Millennial who has seen a never ending war, two of the worst global financial crisis' since the great depression, the perversion of the Presidency by an authoritarian, and who is currently watching the world literally burn before my very eyes; I can't help but acknowledge the fact that I may never see the America that was stolen from me by previous generations.

But when I look at the small children of my friends and family I know that I cant allow apathy to consume me. They deserve a new and better world, and if I can leave any kind of legacy at all, it would be one that remembers me as someone who fought to give a righteous world to the generations that followed my own, even if I never reaped the benefits of it myself.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event that happened in my lifetime was the same as many Millennials my age - 9/11. I remember sitting in my 6th grade science class waiting for our teacher to show up. It was strange that he couldn't be found.

He came into the room distraught and informed us that a plane had accidentally flown into the World Trade Center. Lots of people were most likely killed or injured. To this day I can still remember raising my hand and asking how something like that could happen and if it would happen anywhere else.

He assured us that that wasn't the case.

What seemed like seconds later, another teacher ran into the room and whispered in his ear.

It had happened again. A plane had struck the second tower.

The school called parents and guardians to come pick up their children. Living only minutes from Aberdeen Proving Ground had the entire area on high alert. My grandmother, who lived seconds from my school, came to pick me up, and for the first and only time in my life I saw my proud, strong, immigrant German grandmother - who, as a child herself, had seen the devastation and trauma of WW2, with worry in her face and tears in her eyes. We went back to her home and she did what Grandmothers do best - she cooked a meal. We had pancakes and as we ate she assured me everything would be alright.

In many ways she was right and in some she was wrong. Since that day we've been involved in a 20 year long war. We've made foibles and we've made strides. America has never and will never be the same again. Whether that is a good or bad thing depends on your politics, but this I know - when America got knocked down, we got back up. It's what we do. It's in our nature.

And though it may apply in other facets of our government and the American experiment, it's my hope to continue to treasure and champion the ideal of relentless American improvement and possibility, not through war, but through improving the lives of ever single American.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"Wait For It" from Hamilton.

Everything is Hamilton. Gotta go into the bed...room where it happens? Gotta throw the trash out. Sorry I can't because I'm not throwing away my shot. At this point it might even be classified as an ailment, but it's so good that I don't even mind.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

It's my belief that the House of Representatives is the highest held office in the land that can be filled by everyday Americans. And frankly, it SHOULD be held by everyday Americans. If we want a country that looks like us, works for us, and cares about us, it needs to be regular Americans doing the leading. Not just establishment politicians who have worked their way up through years of state and local governments. Everyone who wants to run should run, but "politician" shouldn't be the only real job on a candidates resume.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

As a digital marketer, I would love to serve on the House Committee for Energy & Commerce, specifically the Communications & Technology Subcommittee. It is my belief that we need Millennials, who have dealt with social media and tech their entire lives, to be the ones sitting in front of big tech asking the hard questions. It is unfortunate and at times embarrassing that we allow representatives who have never used social media in their life to be the ones heading committees responsible for providing oversight on something they have no idea about. As a digital marketer, I believe that big tech needs to be reeled in. That is how unethical and dangerous the industry is - I would willingly threaten my own livelihood to see to it that technology works for all Americans in a transparent and ethical way, not ways that only benefit the company itself.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

We need them. Desperately. I believe no Congressional Representative should serve more than 8 years in total. If a President can only serve 8 years, why would we allow other politicians to serve their entire lives? While some have never stopped fighting for their constituency, others have used it as a cash cow to load their pockets, do nothing to serve their communities and get the free healthcare that the American people deserve. Not having term limits only encourages corruption.

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