Matthew DenOtter

Matthew DenOtter was born in Michigan. He earned a bachelor's degree from Calvin University in 1998.[1]

Matthew DenOtter did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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Campaign websiteDenOtter's campaign website stated the following:Healthcare - Protect Rural HospitalsIn northern Michigan, healthcare isn't a convenience, it's a lifeline. Long drives, harsh winters, and aging populations mean rural communities need strong local hospitals, clinics, and emergency services. As your Congressman, Matthew Denotter will:Ensure fair Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for rural providersStop one-size-fits-all federal mandates that hurt small facilitiesExpand flexibility for Critical Access HospitalsReduce administrative burdens so providers can focus on patientsIf rural hospitals close, communities suffer.Healthcare - Expand Telehealth - The Right WayTelemedicine can bridge long distances across the U.P. and northern Michigan. As your Congressman, Matthew Denotter will:Permanently expand telehealth access for rural patientsEnsure broadband expansion prioritizes underserved areasAllow cross-state licensing flexibility to increase provider accessTechnology should work for rural families - not against them.Healthcare - Growing the Rural Care NetworkAccess means nothing without providers. It's time to:Incentivize doctors and nurses to practice in rural communitiesExpand loan repayment programs tied to rural serviceSupport rural residency and training partnershipsWe need more healthcare providers living and working here, not just visiting.Healthcare - Cutting Red Tape and Increase TransparencyFederal overregulation drives up costs and drives providers away. We've had years of Congressional representation that has done nothing to make the size and scope of Government smaller. It's time to:Streamline billing and reporting requirementsIncrease price transparencyEncourage competition and innovationLess bureaucracy. More patient care.Healthcare - Strengthen Emergency and EMS ServicesIn rural areas, minutes matter. Matthew Denotter will:Support funding flexibility for rural EMSModernize equipment grantsEnsure air and ground transport systems remain reliablePublic safety includes emergency medical care.Investing In Michigan - Putting Michigan First- AlwaysOur roads are crumbling. Rural broadband is spotty or nonexistent. Small manufacturers and timber communities are fighting to survive. Northern Michigan deserves investment that strengthens our own economy first, not more blank checks shipped worldwide. Jack Bergman has had years in Washington. The results here at home speak for themselves. Matt DenOtter will fight to Make Northern Michigan Great Again by:Putting Michigan workers and infrastructure firstExpanding reliable rural broadband across the First DistrictSupporting timber, manufacturing, and small business growthDemanding accountability for every tax dollar spent abroadBroadband Internet - Building A More Connected MichiganAfter years in Congress, Rep. Jack Bergman talks about broadband... but too many families across the U.P. and northern Michigan still struggle with slow, unreliable internet. Students sit in parking lots for Wi-Fi, while small businesses lose customers. Telehealth fails our seniors and veterans. As your Congressman, Matthew Denotter will:Put Rural Michigan First, not Big TelecomPrioritize rural co-ops and local providersEnd sweetheart deals for monopoly ISPsRequire strict build-out deadlines, stipulating that if they don't build, they don't get paid.Broadband Internet - Fiber First, Not Half-MeasuresNorthern Michigan doesn't need more pilot programs. It needs real infrastructure. It's time to ensure:Fiber as the default standardWireless only where terrain demandsSatellite as last resortBroadband Internet - Cutting Federal Red TapeShort northern construction seasons make delays costly. DenOtter's reforms are simple. As your Congressman, Matt will ensure:Fast-track permits for Northern MI Building ProjectsOne-stop federal approval"Dig once" requirements on federal projectsSeasonal priority for northern statesBroadband Internet - Full Transparency for TaxpayersTransparency is key to Matthew's plan to deliver results to Michigan's First District- this is why, as your Congressman, he'll get to work mandating:Public address-level broadband mapsIndependent auditsClawbacks for missed deadlinesNo duplicate fundingConnect every rural homeEmpowering local providersA swift end to Washington's slow-motion rolloutImmigration - Secure the Border. Enforce the Law.America is a nation of laws. Without borders, there is no country. As your Congressman, Matthew Denotter will:Finish physical border barriers where neededFully fund the U.S. Border Patrol and ICEReinstate "Remain in Mexico"–style policiesEnd catch-and-releaseOppose taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal immigrantsIllegal immigration fuels drug trafficking, human smuggling, and fentanyl flowing into communities across Michigan, including rural counties in MI-01.Immigration - Protect Michigan Jobs and WagesIllegal labor undercuts American workers, especially in manufacturing, construction, farming, and skilled trades. As your Congressman, Matthew Denotter will:Require mandatory E-Verify nationwidePenalize companies that knowingly hire illegal workersProtect fair wages for Michigan workersPrioritize American citizens for jobs and apprenticeships, because small business owners and workers in cities like Traverse City, Marquette, and Sault Ste. Marie should never be forced to compete against unlawful labor practices.Immigration - Stopping the Fentanyl CrisisThe open border has fueled a deadly fentanyl epidemic. As your Congressman, Matthew Denotter will:Classify major cartels as terrorist organizationsIncrease penalties for fentanyl traffickingStrengthen northern border security with CanadaSupport local law enforcement in rural MichiganProtecting our families from deadly drugs is not a partisan issue... it's just common sense.Immigration - End Sanctuary PoliciesFederal law must be enforced, not ignored. As your Congressman, Matthew Denotter will:Oppose sanctuary cities and countiesEnsure cooperation between local and federal law enforcementCondition certain federal funding on compliance with immigration lawNo community in Michigan should shield criminal illegal aliens.Immigration - Support Legal Immigration, the Right WayAmerica is strengthened by legal immigrants who follow the law and contribute to our communities.A merit-based legal immigration systemFaster processing for lawful applicantsEnding visa overstaysEnglish language and civic assimilation requirementsLegal immigration works when it serves American interests first.Immigration - Protect Northern Michigan CommunitiesMichigan's First District includes small towns, tribal communities, and rural counties that deserve safety, stability, and economic opportunity, not federal mismanagement of the border. An America First immigration policy means: Safe streets, Strong wages, Secure communities, Respect for the rule of law. Washington's failure should not become Northern Michigan's burden. We will stand firm to protect our border, defend our workers, and restore law and order, because the federal government's first responsibility is to its own citizens. Secure the border. Protect Michigan. Put Americans first.Veterans - Honor the Promise to Those Who ServedNorthern Michigan is home to thousands of veterans who answered the call to serve. Many veterans in Northern Michigan drive hours to reach a VA facility. They deserve more than speeches and ceremonies, they deserve timely care, accessible benefits, and a government that keeps its promises. Matt Denotter will:Improve transportation assistance for veterans who must travel for health care.Support telehealth services for veterans in remote communities.Increase partnerships between the VA and local hospitals and clinics.Promote veteran-owned small businesses.Strengthen job placement partnerships with local employers.Advocate for apprenticeships and skilled trades programs for veterans.— Matthew DenOtter's campaign website (July 23, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Matthew DenOtter and his wife Lisa are the proud parents of five-year-old Violet. Matthew is a businessman and works in sales at a health care company. Matthew has served his community as a volunteer, including at Our Lady of the Fields Camp.

Matthew is a proud conservative Republican. His core beliefs are that we must put our Nation first, that the federal government should not be infringing on our day-to-day lives, that freedom and liberty are essential, and that we must stand for law and order. He is proudly pro-life.

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?

Roads, Bridges and the Future of Infrastructure. Across southeast Michigan it's no secret that our roads and bridges are crumbling. Entire campaigns have been founded on the premise of fixing the roads -- yet when it comes down to it, instead of actually working to find solutions in Washington, legislation is created with so much wasteful spending and pork attached that people from both sides of the aisle can't support it. I've had enough of the partisan games. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to put the politics aside and work together to rebuild our roads, expand broadband, create reliable energy infrastructure - without raising taxes and crushing Americans with unnecessary regulations and red tape.Second Amendment . "The right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed" is a pretty self explanatory statement. I will not support any legislation that will interfere with Americans' right to protect themselves or their families. I will oppose the agenda in place that seeks to make law-abiding gun-owners criminals. Congress must find better ways to enforce laws that are already on the books, keep guns out of the hands of criminals, and ensure our kids are safe in school.Education. I'm a passionate advocate for our students, parents, and teachers. It's imperative that we strengthen our local schools and empower our parents to educate and train their children to face the issues that they will face in the 21st century. One size fits all Washington solutions don't work for any issue, especially one as important as our kids' future.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Protecting Life - It's More Than Just a Catch Phrase

I’m 100% pro-life. But being pro-life is far more than being ONLY pro-birth. I have a policy plan that will encourage adoption over abortion by incentivizing doctors to provide free ultrasounds for any woman considering an abortion. 80% of mothers that see their baby's heartbeat choose to not have an abortion. My plan for increased patient education would also be coupled with further funding to make the adoption process more affordable for parents - including tax incentives and even a direct stipend to families trying to complete an adoption.

This issue doesn't have to be divisive - it can actually unite people from all walks of life and political ideologies. Rather than treating an unexpected pregnancy or child as a problem, we should work together to create a welcoming community, a system that promotes the family, and is truly pro-life. As your Congressman, I will fight to protect unborn children and our families.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Our National Debt

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I support a comprehensive term limit plan

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

yes. Yet, we can never compromise on our core principles.