Ballotpedia, Dan Matthews (Washington)

The Needham Channel, Thank You Dan Matthews!

LinkedIn

Dan is from Seattle, Washington. He earned his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Puget Sound and his master's degree in public administration from Golden Gate University. He lives with his wife, Jan, in Mukilteo and they have 4 children and 13 grandchildren. 

Dan is retired. He previously worked as an instruction pilot for Boeing and as a captain for Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines. He served in the US Air Force for 22 years, retiring as lieutenant colonel. 

Dan Matthews previously served on the Needham Select Board for 9 terms from 1995 to 2022. He previously ran for US Representative for Washington House District 2 in 2022 and 2012, and for State Senator for Washington District 21 in 2014, but did not win.

Washington

2024 Washington General Election

Candidate website

Supports reducing government spending and lowering taxes.

Supports compassionate responses to homelessness.

Wants to "compassionately respond" to homelessness.

- Supports reducing government spending and lowering taxes.
- Wants to "compassionately respond" to homelessness.

Economy

Supports policies that aim to increase domestic energy production.

Plans to increase domestic energy production.

Supports using alternative energy sources.

- Plans to increase domestic energy production.
- Supports using alternative energy sources.

Energy & the Environment

Believes failing public schools should meet higher standards and supports charter and private schools as options to create competition and improve education for all children.

Believes charter and private schools should be options to create competition and improve education for all children.

Supports school voucher programs that allow parents to enroll their children in schools beyond their local options, including private schools.

- Believes charter and private schools should be options to create competition and improve education for all children.
- Supports school voucher programs that allow parents to enroll their children in schools beyond their local options, including private schools.

Education

Supports "enhanced" voter identification measures.

Supports improved voter identification measures.

- Supports improved voter identification measures.

Voting & Elections

Supports legislation that aids first responders, increases penalties for repeat and violent offenders, and addresses drug-related crime.

Supports stronger laws against drug dealing and distribution, and advocates for more treatment and occupational training options to help recovering addicts become self-reliant.

Advocates for stronger laws against drug dealing and distribution, and Wants more treatment and training options to help recovering addicts.

Supports addressing human and drug trafficking.

Wants to address human and drug trafficking.

- Supports legislation that aids first responders, increases penalties for repeat and violent offenders, and addresses drug-related crime.
- Advocates for stronger laws against drug dealing and distribution, and Wants more treatment and training options to help recovering addicts.
- Wants to address human and drug trafficking.

Public Safety

Believes in addressing drug abuse and homelessness with long-term, proven treatment solutions.

Believes in addressing drug abuse and homelessness with long-term treatment solutions.

- Believes in addressing drug abuse and homelessness with long-term treatment solutions.

Healthcare

As of October 7, 2024, Dan Matthews’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Facebook

Dan Matthews

As of October 8, 2024, Dan Matthews’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Dan Matthews served in the United States Air Force, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, and worked as a pilot for Northwest Airlines for 31 years. He also served as a Boeing consultant in Pilot Instruction and Leadership for 8 years.

Plans to prioritize legislation that aims to lower taxes.

Believes in eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse to improve economic efficiency.

Believes in the importance of mentorship and integrity in public service.

Supports the use of wide-body transports for military operations in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Rules, helps determine which legislation advances to the Senate for debate.

Supports environmental conservation efforts.

Believes in preserving all energy resources.

Opposes policies that he believes undermine women's rights in sports, scholarships, identity, and privacy.

Supports passing a Parents Bill of Rights.

Believes in being a communicator, unifier, and team-builder.

Believes in the importance of higher education and internships for career development.

Believes in the importance of higher education, saying "All seven children went on to graduate from college, with four having advanced degrees."

Supports Dan Matthews for Lieutenant Governor.

Endorsed by Dan Matthews for Lt. Governor.

Believes in limiting government overreach and intrusion.

Believes in supporting Senate membership as a resource.

Supports the role of Lieutenant Governor in filling in for the Governor during emergencies and assisting in determining which bills are voted on.

Believes in the role of the Lieutenant Governor as Acting Governor during the Governor's absence and as President of the State Senate, helping determine which legislation advances for debate.

Believes in protecting the rights and freedoms of all Washingtonians.

Supports creating a Citizen’s Action Strategy to enhance public safety.

Supports a 10-point plan to enhance public safety, including measures to address crime, gun control, and police reform.

Believes in creating a comprehensive public safety plan for the future.

Supports military readiness and has experience serving in combat theaters during Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Supports a strong military and defense policy.

- The lieutenant governor is the first officer in the line of succession to the governor’s office. In the event of the governor's death, resignation, removal, absence, or inability to serve, they would assume office.
- The lieutenant governor is also the president of the Washington State Senate. They vote as a tiebreaker in the event that there is a tie. 
- The lieutenant governor appoints persons to 41 different committees and commissions.
- They are elected to 4-year terms. Requirements to be lieutenant governor include being a citizen of the United States and a qualified elector in Washington.
- They are paid a salary of $117,300.