Matthew Beger

Matthew Beger (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Missouri House of Representatives to represent District 41. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. He advanced from the Democratic primary on August 4, 2026.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in Saint Charles County, went to Francis Howell High School. Graduated and joined the Marine Corps after high school and was deployed to Iraq in 2007. I was honorably discharged in 2010 and enrolled in Vatterott College for HVAC, and then Electrical. Got my AOS there, and proceeded to work for contractors in the area, eventually joining Local 36 in 2016. I finished my apprenticeship in 2022 and struck out on my own as an owner/operator. I now own Veterans HVAC, with my wife.

Until 2016 I had only barely paid attention to politics, but since then have been unable to distance myself with the uncertainty and apathy it seems to create in the average Missourian and American. It feels like most of my friends and family feel that the current political situation in our country is so polarized and divisive that nothing ever gets accomplished.

For my own part as a Marine Corps Veteran, and small business owner my belief is that with willpower and determination anything is doable. The biggest obstacle I see in current politics is a lack of accountability, decorum, and empathy. None of these are unsolvable if we can resolve to try to be better, and do better for our state and our country.

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?

Semper Fidelus. I strive to embody this core belief from my time in the Corps. Above all other things in my life I do my best to be a good husband, friend, brother, and son, and strive to have honorable dealings with anyone I meet. They say once a marine always a marine, and I'm sure to the exhaustion of my wife, family, and friends, I continue to pull lessons and values from being a Marine.People not Party. I associate most closely with Democrats, but that doesn't mean I agree with every Democrat, or disagree with all Republicans. Living for the past 10 years in Lincoln county, and before that in Saint Charles, it feels like the average voter feels either apathetic, or angry with politicians. To me and many of my friends and family the feeling is that regardless of who you vote for nothing will change, and if it does it will not be reflective of promises made to get elected. I feel people are sick of being inundated with what they need to be mad about, and instead would love to be given the opportunity for hope, security, and pride.Active Listening. The lessons I have learned from being a technician, and business owner is the first step to success is correctly identifying the problem. I think many people right now feel that they don't have a voice; that the people they elect make promises they either have no ability to achieve or worse no actual want to achieve. One of my biggest motivations to run is just to be able to listen to the people of my district and try to form achievable solutions to their problems. I intend to go into this knowing that I will be at a disadvantage to others. I have not wrapped myself in politics my whole life, nor have I probably done enough for my community but I hope to use this opportunity to correct that.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Labor Relations, Small Businesses, Unfair Business Practices, Retirees, Veterans, Cost of Living, Affordable Housing, Manufacturer Accountability

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

Graham Platner, Candidate for US senate in Maine. He is also a Marine Corps vet, and seems to hold many of the same values as I do.

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

Honesty and Accountability

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

Responsibility to the duty of the office, and those it represents

What legacy would you like to leave?

The belief that we can and should participate in our democracy for the betterment of our society. That we can actually make our voice heard. That we can elect officials that are more about our welfare than their own. So i guess in a word Hope.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Walmart, 2 years during high school.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Depression. The feeling that no matter how hard I try, nothing will change, or matter. The only remedy I've found for it is hope, and compassion from my family, and friends.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Respect and accountability. When both are running correctly the governor should be the executive of the will of the people, and the legislature should be the law of the people.

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

Respecting Missouri ballot initiatives, and the will of the people. Currently through legislation that continues to weaken the process or laws that seek to overturn those that have been passed, the Missouri legislature is denying the peoples will, and gives no indication of reversing course on this.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

I beleive that compromise is inherit in the system. Making the correct compromises though, for the right reasons is the part that's difficult.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The 11th of September 2001. I was in high school, and watched live as the second plane hit the twin towers. I don't think our country has fully healed or moved on since then.