Richard Matthews for Congress, Maryland's Second District in 2008

Richard Matthews

For Congress in Maryland's Second Congressional District

Biography

    Richard Pryce Matthews is the Republican candidate for the United States House of Representatives for Maryland's second congressional district. He is a refreshing Republican voice for traditional conservatives, advocating a strict adherence to our Constitution, small government, a non-interventionist foreign policy, and free markets.

    Matthews was born in Baltimore, Maryland on July 9, 1980. Son of Emma C. Matthews and the late Edward R. Matthews, Richard's childhood was spent mostly in Arnold, Maryland. Two years of early childhood were spent in Ankara, Turkey, where younger brother Stuart was born and their father worked for the United States Government on a diplomatic assignment. During summertime stays with his grandparents, Matthews fondly remembers being aroused in the morning by his retired Naval Officer grandfather's rendition of "You're A Grand Old Flag" which was his command to hoist the U.S. Flag first thing in the morning. Matthews was exposed to government service throughout his childhood by his family's interest in politics and involvement in the Navy, the National Security Agency, and the Central Intelligence Agency. A grateful nation has honored both his late father and grandfather with burials at Arlington National Cemetery.

    Mr. Matthews currently works as a pre-sales and deployment engineer for an encryption/messaging company. He has grown experienced working in the information technology community for over ten years. Matthews has often worked directly with high-level political, military and business leaders, planning for the technological needs of their organizations. He brings this extensive knowledge of technology with him to his political career, a rare perspective among politicians.

    Recently, Matthews has volunteered with the presidential campaign of Congressman Ron Paul. He has served as the Organizer of the Anne Arundel County Ron Paul Meetup, which has organized citizens throughout central Maryland, to support Dr. Paul through fund raising and grassroots work on the streets.

    Mr. Matthews decided to challenge Democratic incumbent Dutch Ruppersberger for his congressional seat when it became clear that no challenger had stepped forward supporting a liberty platform. Matthews knew that the voters deserved the option for change in Washington rather than the positions of a career politician that has continually voted in favor of the Iraq War as well as curtailing of our civil liberties.

    Matthews will soon be a father with his wife Wendy Matthews, who works as a critical care nurse. They live in Orchard Beach, Anne Arundel County, Maryland with their dog Jasmine. His mother, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law live in Annapolis, Maryland while his younger brother lives in San Francisco, California.