Nick Matthew

Nick Matthew was born in Scottsdale, Arizona. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Earlham College in 2007 and a graduate degree from Brandeis University in 2017. Matthew’s career experience includes working as a community organizer, nonprofit consultant, and teacher for Chelsea Public Schools.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a public school teacher, community organizer, and child advocate fighting American individualism to bring communities together.

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?

The majority of Congress are lawyers and career politicians. We need educators in office who can advocate for children and families. I am that educator.The United States is the most individualistic nation on earth, preventing us from cooperating as a nation. We need leaders who understand that early childhood is the key predictor of human cooperation. I am that leader.Change isn't possible without organizers who can rally the community behind a vision. I am that organizer.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The United States is the most individualistic nation on earth, preventing us from cooperating as a nation on major global challenges. We need to understand that emotionally unstable homes are highly predictive of individualistic behavior. To ensures that parents have the time that they need to bond with their children, we need paid family leave and universal childcare.

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

The value I live by is "growth for others." I deeply believe that our growth as individuals - our education, experience, wisdom - should be in service of helping others grow in return. Too often politicians grow only in service of their personal interests, which perpetuates selfishness and greed.

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

I believe vision and drive make me a successful office holder: I have a history of striving to accomplish huge goals, and sustaining the drive to achieve them.

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

To serve his or her community, specifically those of greatest need.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to be remembered as a Congressman who saw that our individualism as a nation derives from our early childhood experience, and had the leadership skills to bring people together to pass legislation to help parents create warm, stable homes.

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

You Fine by Saint Motel

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

My major struggle is the pervasiveness of American individualism in society, and how this individualism is dividing our communities, and straining our families.

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

The vast majority of Congress are lawyers and career politicians, which gives our national leadership a narrow perspective of the needs of our constituents. We need leaders who are deeply familiar with the issues that plague our nation, and have the experience bringing people together.

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

American individualism is dividing our communities, and straining our families. If we want to come together as a nation, we need to identify the key drivers of this individualism, and take bold action in addressing it.

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

If I could distill AOC's incredible passion for advocating for the underserved, and Adam Schiff's cool demeanor, then I think you'd have my aspirational model.

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