Matthew Fyfe

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Matthew Fyfe

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

Goshen College, 2010

Graduate

Vanderbilt University, Peabody College, 2015

Personal

Profession

Teacher

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign TikTok

Matthew Fyfe (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Indiana's 9th Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Fyfe completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Matthew Fyfe lives in Bloomington, Indiana. Fyfe earned a bachelor's degree from Goshen College in 2010 and a graduate degree from Vanderbilt University's Peabody College in 2015. His career experience includes working as a high school math teacher.

Elections

2022

See also: Indiana's 9th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Indiana District 9

Erin Houchin defeated Matthew Fyfe, Tonya Millis, and Jacob Bailey in the general election for U.S. House Indiana District 9 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Erin Houchin (R)	63.6	143,166
		Matthew Fyfe (D)	33.6	75,700
		Tonya Millis (L)	2.8	6,374
		Jacob Bailey (G) (Write-in)	0.0	36

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 225,276
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Aleem Young (Freedom Party Party)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 9

Matthew Fyfe defeated Isak Nti Asare and D. Liam Dorris in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Indiana District 9 on May 3, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Matthew Fyfe	56.8	12,240
		Isak Nti Asare	29.2	6,305
		D. Liam Dorris	14.0	3,023

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 21,568
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Babak Rezaei (D)
• Jonathon Cole (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 9

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Indiana District 9 on May 3, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Erin Houchin	37.3	21,697
		Mike Sodrel	25.8	15,008
		Stu Barnes-Israel	21.0	12,193
	Submit photo	Jim Baker	5.1	2,946
		J. Michael Davisson	2.7	1,597
		D. Eric Schansberg	2.7	1,559
		Brian Tibbs	2.5	1,461
		Dan Heiwig	1.6	919
		Bill Thomas	1.3	756

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 58,136
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Hiren Patel (R)

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for U.S. House Indiana District 9

Tonya Millis advanced from the Libertarian convention for U.S. House Indiana District 9 on March 5, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Tonya Millis (L)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Matthew Fyfe completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Fyfe's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Matt Fyfe is a life-long Hoosier who was raised in a small farming community. His mother was a bus driver and his father worked 45 years on the railroad, providing for their family with union benefits and pay. Matt currently teaches at a public high school in Bloomington, Indiana, where he lives with his wife and three young children.

Matt strongly believes public education is a bedrock of our society, allowing the possibility for all students to achieve the American dream. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Goshen College and teaching a wide range of students, Matt became acutely aware of how state and federal policies influenced the equity and success of individual student experiences. He then earned an Education Policy degree from Vanderbilt’s top ranked Peabody College to better position himself to bring policy-makers, parents, educators, and the broader community together to ensure optimal outcomes for students and for society.

Today, Matt continues to teach and is an organizer and leader in his teachers union. He serves on the board of executives for his local union, and is an early career ambassador at the state level. He’s earned additional mathematics credit hours so he can help students earn college credit while in high school. Matt is passionate about serving his community, and he strongly believes in the power of everyday people to build a better future. Together, we can leave this place better than we found it.

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?

• I’m running for office because I genuinely care about the well-being of our families, our students, and our neighbors here in Southern Indiana. Our elected officials too often seem elite and disconnected, running for their own power and personal gain. We can elect individuals who understand what it’s like to grow up and raise children in our community. We can elect individuals who listen to their constituents, and who understand their struggles because they live those same struggles. As a public school teacher, I’ve spent my career helping students and families achieve success. I plan to do the same as your representative. Together, we need to stand against the money, greed, and hidden agendas of career politicians that plague us in DC.
• As your representative, I pledge to prioritize local issues because they impact our homes most. As a public school teacher, I see the effort families go through to get the best for their child. I see colleagues working late hours without getting the respect a professional deserves. As a father of 3 young children, I understand the struggles of balancing work and family. I understand the financial strain of childcare and the constant worry about children’s health. As a labor union leader, I fight for fair wages, great benefits, and a dignified retirement. I’m running as an individual who has seen the lasting impact that good and bad policies can have on the ones I love, and I will be a lawmaker who writes effective policies.
• Our politics have become polarized. But at the end of the day, we’re not two different teams. Rather, we are one community. I grew up in an Indiana where we voted for people and policies, not a specific party. I want my children to grow up in an Indiana that does the same. Everyday, I teach students who come from different backgrounds. Yet we are all working toward the same goal - learning the material, finding our passion, and achieving success. As your congressional representative I pledge to be an elected official who works to unite, not divide. Let’s work to involve more people in the democratic process and increase participation in our system. I truly believe every individual has an important voice to be shared in our community.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I'm passionate about education policy - our schools. I've seen firsthand the positive impact schools and educators can have on students. Helping a student find their passion, and watching them grow to become a successful member of our community is truly a joy. I'm personally interested in policies that proactively encourage these results in the youth and other members of our society. This includes policies related to education, healthcare, and labor that promote healthy, well-rounded, and productive citizens. I'm also interested in policies that promote the long term sustainability of our environment and our democracy.

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

Good elected officials should have the following characteristics: integrity, substance, kindness, and a vision for the future. Elected officials should want to listen and empathize with their constituents, and the leadership to move the community forward.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Our representatives don't have to be elite, rich, or powerful. We can elect everyday people, such as teachers, nurses, police officers, and social workers. I'd like this campaign to inspire others to step up and be leaders in their community, and to inspire voters to call for a culture of meaningful democracy and high voter engagement.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The 1996 Olympics held in Atlanta, Georgia were memorable to a young, elementary school child. I remember being impressed during the opening ceremony by the coordination and teamwork of the Olympic torch relay, ending with Muhammad Ali lighting the cauldron. I remember feeling confused, sad, and angry when the tragic pipe bombing occurred. I remember the happiness of watching such elite athletes on a world stage and proud that America won the most medals! I was a young child in awe of the teamwork, dedication, and unity involved from countries all over the world.

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

"We don't talk about Bruno"

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The U.S. House of Representatives is the People's House. It is unique because every two years we can elect a representative that aligns to our values. If we want elected officials who show a commitment to public service, who truly want to write policies that impact our neighbors on a local level, and who care about teamwork instead of divisiveness, it starts in the People's House!

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

Polarization is the largest threat to this nation over the next decade. When we are so starkly divided instead of united, our system of government can't function and rather, prioritizes special interests over the needs of everyday working people. Our democracy can face any challenge when our elected officials are willing to listen and stand up for all their neighbors.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

As your Congressman, I will serve on the Committee on Education and Labor. Through my experience as a local public school teacher and union leader, I have worked hard for better schools and good jobs. I will continue to do so while in Congress.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign website

Fyfe's campaign website stated the following:

“	MATT FYFE IS A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER LET’S PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE QUALITY EDUCATION AND THRIVING, SUSTAINABLE NEIGHBORHOODS As a teacher and public servant, I work for a brighter future for my students and neighbors. We need quality education and thriving, sustainable neighborhoods. When elected, I will sponsor policies that ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed in their academics, careers, and lives – no matter their zip code, their skin color, or the amount of money in their parents’ wallets. I want to cultivate vibrant communities both inside and outside the classroom that promote positive, life-shaping experiences for students so they can contribute to the long-term growth of Southern Indiana. Fully fund schools Prioritize teaching and learning, not testing and punishing Stop privatization and corruption of our schools Provide a warm, safe, nurturing school environment High-quality roads, bridges, and internet access Clean air, water, soil Energy independence MATT FYFE IS A FATHER OF THREE LET’S SUPPORT HEALTHY, WORKING FAMILIES ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE AND SUPPORT FOR WORKING PARENTS As a son, a husband, and now a father of three, I know the critical importance of family health and well-being. We need accessible health care and support for parents in the workplace. I’ve navigated the challenges of simultaneously working and raising a healthy family. When elected, I will promote policies that prioritize family health – policies that make raising a family more affordable, make accessing childcare and health services easier, and make retiring with loved ones more dignified. I will ensure that all members of the family, from young to old, are mentally, physically, and financially equipped to be their best and to pursue their dreams. Affordable, quality childcare Paid parental leave Accessible health options for rural communities Affordable prescription drug costs Protections against medical debt Mental health access Dignified retirement policies MATT FYFE IS A LOCAL UNION LEADER LET’S WORK TOGETHER FOR WORKING PEOPLE WORKER RIGHTS AND JUSTICE As a leader in my local labor union, I know the importance of working together to defend good jobs and to support the rights of others. We need to protect worker rights and advocate for justice. I firmly believe that people must stand united to ensure that all individuals – regardless of where they come from, the color of their skin, or the job they have – can take care of themselves and their families after a hard day’s work. When elected, I will advocate for policies that prioritize working people and that promote justice for underrepresented groups. Let’s stand together in kindness and for justice in how we treat each other. Guarantee the right to organize Independent, non-partisan redistricting Close unjust pay gaps Reform criminal justice Protect against discrimination due to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or ability Veteran support Legalize cannabis Fight corruption in politics	”
—Matt Fyfe's campaign website (2022)

See also

2022 Elections

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Candidate

U.S. House Indiana District 9

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Footnotes

[show]

Indiana's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Jim Banks (R)

Todd Young (R)

Representatives

District 1

Frank Mrvan (D)

District 2

Rudy Yakym (R)

District 3

Marlin Stutzman (R)

District 4

Jim Baird (R)

District 5

Victoria Spartz (R)

District 6

Jefferson Shreve (R)

District 7

André Carson (D)

District 8

Mark Messmer (R)

District 9

Erin Houchin (R)

Republican Party (9)

Democratic Party (2)