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Matt Gress

REPUBLICAN

Matt Gress is running for Arizona State Representative, District 4.

Personal background

Matt is from a small town in Oklahoma. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma and a master's degree from Syracuse University. Matt is married to his partner Daniel.

Professional background

Matt is the state’s top budget chief in the Arizona Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting. He is a former public school teacher and has served as a faculty associate at Arizona State University. Previously, he worked as a budget analyst at the Arizona State Capitol.

Political background

Matt Gress has previously served as a commissioner on the Maricopa County Planning and Zoning Commission and as a school board member.

Economy

Supports fiscally responsible legislation to fight inflation, reduce the cost of living, cut government spending, keep taxes low, and help small businesses grow. Plans to "cut through red tape" to ensure Arizona's economy is "resilient and strong."

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Public Safety

Opposes gun control.

Supports harsher punishments for drug dealers distributing "lethal doses of fentanyl" to prevent deaths and disrupt the supply chain. Wants to establish a Fentanyl Strike Task Force.

Supports fully funding and backing law enforcement, opposing efforts to "Defund the Police."

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Healthcare

Believes Arizona’s 15-week abortion law is preferable to current laws and extreme measures proposed by advocates. Said, "We must respect women and protect new life."

Believes the territorial abortion law is "unworkable" and not reflective of the electorate's values.

Opposes "late-term and taxpayer-funded abortions" and supports exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. Believes the state should support women, children, the vulnerable, and the elderly.

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Education

As a Governing Board Member, supported keeping schools open during COVID-19 and increasing school choice. Advocated for parental and taxpayer involvement in curriculum, hiring, and budgeting decisions.

Believes increasing teacher pay is crucial for attracting and retaining quality educators. Plans to give Arizona public school teachers a $10,000 raise to directly benefit teachers and improve student success.

Believes in promoting financial transparency in schools by connecting spending with academic outcomes. Supports providing parents with clear information about their child's progress and school performance.

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Energy & the Environment

Supports better forest management, state-funded farming practices, and research into water-saving and emission-reducing innovations to ensure a clean environment without harming the economy.

Believes the Western water supply shortage is worsening, impacting agriculture and Arizona's economy. Said, "These water cuts are harming Arizona farmers and their livelihoods."

Supports improving water infrastructure through investments in new technologies and partnerships with innovative companies to enhance water management and conservation.

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Voting & Elections

Supports a constitutional amendment for permanent voter identification requirements and measures to enhance election security, such as increasing the threshold for automatic recounts.

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Endorsements

Endorsed by numerous labor unions including the Arizona Fraternal Order of Police, Arizona Nurses Association, Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, Arizona’s Job Creators, Arizona State Troopers, Arizona Realtors, Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, Arizona Tech Council, and Arizona Police Association

Endorsed by local politicians including former Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, Barry Goldwater Jr., State Representative Teresa Martinez, Phoenix City Councilman Jim Waring, Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio, Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane, Mohave County Sheriff Doug Schuster, Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels, and former State Representative Adam Kwasman.

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