Eric graduated from Bozeman High School in 1992 and later earned two degrees from Montana State University. 

Eric has been a teacher at Chief Joseph Middle School for 25 years. He also worked as a bartender at the Haufbrau for a decade.

Eric Matthews is the State Representative in State House District 66. He was elected in 2022 and has served one term in this position.

Candidate website

Montana Legislature

Believes government is essential for society, opposes privatization of services, supports public employees, and rejects profit-driven management of state functions, advocating for quality services over outsourcing to private entities.

The candidate's website says, "In 2018, Eric joined the board of Montana’s largest workers union, Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE), to advocate for working Montanans. In 2021 he was elected to serve as first Vice President of MFPE."

Believes Montana's economy thrives on diverse workers who deserve dignity, fair wages, quality health care, and a dignified retirement, recognizing their role as the state's foundation and vitality.

Member of the Business and Labor Committee.

- Believes government is essential for society, opposes privatization of services, supports public employees, and rejects profit-driven management of state functions, advocating for quality services over outsourcing to private entities.
- The candidate's website says, "In 2018, Eric joined the board of Montana’s largest workers union, Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE), to advocate for working Montanans. In 2021 he was elected to serve as first Vice President of MFPE."
- Believes Montana's economy thrives on diverse workers who deserve dignity, fair wages, quality health care, and a dignified retirement, recognizing their role as the state's foundation and vitality.
- Member of the Business and Labor Committee.

Economy

Believes in protecting Montana's public lands for future generations, ensuring open access for all, and opposes restricting access or exploitation of these shared spaces.

Member of the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Committee.

- Believes in protecting Montana's public lands for future generations, ensuring open access for all, and opposes restricting access or exploitation of these shared spaces.
- Member of the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Committee.

Energy & the Environment

Said, "Healthcare costs in our state are out of control... The price of prescriptions has been far outpacing other healthcare costs... For those without insurance, medical care can simply be bankrupting... We must do better."

- Said, "Healthcare costs in our state are out of control... The price of prescriptions has been far outpacing other healthcare costs... For those without insurance, medical care can simply be bankrupting... We must do better."

Healthcare

As of September 17, 2024, Eric Matthews’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

The candidate's website says, "Voting is a cornerstone of our democracy... Efforts to limit voting infringe on our freedoms, liberties, and rights."

- The candidate's website says, "Voting is a cornerstone of our democracy... Efforts to limit voting infringe on our freedoms, liberties, and rights."

Voting & Elections

Supports robust public education in Montana, equitable K-12 policies, funded pre-K, affordable post-secondary options, and leveraging state land grant universities to enhance higher education access and economic contribution without burdening students with debt.

Supports "robust" public education in Montana, equitable K-12 policies, funded pre-K, affordable post-secondary options, and leveraging state land grant universities to enhance higher education access and economic contribution without burdening students with debt.

The candidate's website says, "Eric has been an active leader in the school district for more than 20 years, helping to negotiate contracts for educators and supporting fair wages for school staff... He has experience in consensus building and problem solving..."

The candidate's website says, "Eric has been an active leader in the school district for more than 20 years, helping to negotiate contracts for educators and supporting fair wages for school staff."

- Supports "robust" public education in Montana, equitable K-12 policies, funded pre-K, affordable post-secondary options, and leveraging state land grant universities to enhance higher education access and economic contribution without burdening students with debt.
- The candidate's website says, "Eric has been an active leader in the school district for more than 20 years, helping to negotiate contracts for educators and supporting fair wages for school staff."
- Member of the Education Committee.

Education

Eric Matthews

- Your State Representative participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 100 members of the Montana House of Representatives. The Montana House of Representatives is the lower house of the Montana State Legislature (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Representative drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Representative can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Representative is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- State Representatives are elected to a 2-year term. Individuals can serve no more than 8 years in a 16-year period.