Matthew Guyette

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

Matthew Guyette

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

April 28, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

School for International Training, 1988

Personal

Birthplace

Hartford, Conn.

Religion

Roman Catholic

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Personal Facebook

Personal Twitter

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Matthew Guyette (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Ohio's 8th Congressional District. He lost in the Democratic primary on April 28, 2020.

Guyette completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Matthew Guyette was born in Hartford, Connecticut. He completed two years at the University of Connecticut School of Business Administration in business administration and management from 1980 to 1982. He received a bachelor's degree in natural hazard mitigation in integrated regional development planning from the School for International Training in 1988. His professional experience includes working as a tour guide for the U.S. Capitol and in banking, public administration, hospitality, and public interest law.

Elections

2020

See also: Ohio's 8th Congressional District election, 2020

Ohio's 8th Congressional District election, 2020 (April 28 Democratic primary)

Ohio's 8th Congressional District election, 2020 (April 28 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Ohio District 8

Incumbent Warren Davidson defeated Vanessa Enoch and Isaac Reed in the general election for U.S. House Ohio District 8 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Warren Davidson (R)	69.0	246,277
		Vanessa Enoch (D)	31.0	110,766
		Isaac Reed (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	114

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 357,157
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Ohio District 8

Vanessa Enoch defeated Matthew Guyette in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Ohio District 8 on April 28, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Vanessa Enoch	79.5	24,297
		Matthew Guyette	20.5	6,269

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 30,566
= 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.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Ohio District 8

Incumbent Warren Davidson defeated Edward Meer in the Republican primary for U.S. House Ohio District 8 on April 28, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Warren Davidson	91.3	53,542
		Edward Meer	8.7	5,125

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 58,667
= 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.

2018

See also: Ohio's 8th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Ohio District 8

Incumbent Warren Davidson defeated Vanessa Enoch in the general election for U.S. House Ohio District 8 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Warren Davidson (R)	66.6	173,852
		Vanessa Enoch (D)	33.4	87,281

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 261,133 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= 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.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Ohio District 8

Vanessa Enoch defeated Ted Jones, Matthew Guyette, and Bill Ebben in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Ohio District 8 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Vanessa Enoch	57.9	11,587
		Ted Jones	16.3	3,258
		Matthew Guyette	13.6	2,728
	Submit photo	Bill Ebben	12.2	2,437

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 20,010
= 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.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Stephen D. Shaw (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Ohio District 8

Incumbent Warren Davidson advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Ohio District 8 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Warren Davidson	100.0	52,351

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 52,351
= 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.

2014

See also: Ohio's 8th Congressional District elections, 2014

Guyette ran in the 2014 election for the U.S. House to represent Ohio's 8th District. Guyette lost the Democratic nomination to Tom Poetter in the primary on May 6, 2014.

U.S. House, Ohio District 8 Democratic Primary, 2014

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Tom Poetter	54.6%	8,911
Matthew Guyette	45.4%	7,399
Total Votes		16,310
Source: Ohio Secretary of State, Official Election Results

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Matthew Guyette completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Guyette'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.

I'm a strong proponent of personal freedom coupled with personal responsibility. I also believe we have to do a better job as a society in leveling the playing field so opportunity and social mobility are not just for the wealthy and well connected. We have to do a better job of taking care of the most vulnerable among us including the poor, disabled, the elderly, pregnant mothers, seniors and immigrants. We must make our nation once again a beacon of freedom and justice, working on behalf of the rule of law and human rights around the world and supporting democracy.

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?

• We are a nation of laws, not strongmen and criminal syndicates. Equal justice before the law is one of the cornerstones of our society. Our elected representatives' power does not reside in them personally but rather is entrusted to them in furtherance of the rule of law. The law, not men, is supreme.
• Our district deserves a representative in Congress who will work for all, not just the financial services industry and Club for Growth, who can afford big campaign contributions to get the kind of preferential treatment they seek in Washington.
• We as a nation are at a crossroads. We must decide whether we still want a country which fosters freedom, innovation and democracy at home and abroad. I'm running for Congress because I think the values and principles upon which this country was founded are stronger than the differences that divide us. We can once again be the envy of the world, not only for our wealth and power but also for our goodness and our commitment to justice, opportunity and liberty.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The Eighth District of Ohio has been represented in Washington by Republicans for the last 80 years. Our cities are crumbling and jobs and industry are moving overseas. The Republican Party has become the party of Trump - they have sacrificed what credibility and principles they had on the altar of an autocrat. The president has neither the knowledge, experience, nor the temperament to be the leader of the greatest nation in the history of the world. He flouts democratic norms and traditions, denigrates the rule of law and debases our standing in the world on a daily basis. Republicans in Congress are supposed to fulfill their oversight responsibility as a check on the tendencies of an imperial president like Trump. They have instead been willing accomplices in his attacks on the impeachment effort which sought to hold him to account for his lawless and corrupt behavior. As long as spineless Republicans like Warren Davidson represent us in Congress, Trump will continue his campaign of enriching himself, his family and associates at the public trough. He will rule as a king, who believes he IS the state and that the government must serve his personal interests and grudges instead of the rule of law and the American people. With the help of Warren Davidson, Trump is doing damage to our geopolitical alliances and our prestige on the World stage for generations to come.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

John Lewis is a personal hero of mine. I had the honor of meeting him when I worked at the Capitol Visitor Center. He embodies the qualities of courage, kindness, integrity and forgiveness which I seek to emulate in my own life.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

To understand how we got into our present dilemma,
Democracy in Chains by Nancy Maclean.

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

Elected officials serve a sacred role: they act on behalf of their fellow citizens to work on the legislation which determines whether our nation will move forward and fulfill its promise of equal justice, opportunity and liberty for all or whether we will turn our backs on our heritage. In that role the characteristics which are most important are quiet courage, willingness to compromise, integrity and honesty in dealing with others and a respect for the law and for all people.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I believe I have an ability to take complex subjects and reduce them to their essential elements, explaining them to others in a way that they can understand. I have the courage of my convictions and I am fearless where principle and injustice is involved. I can work well alone or in groups and seek solutions which provide wins for all involved.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The most important responsibility of a legislator is to use the power of government to help all citizens attain their dreams, live in peace and prosperity, defend our national security and be good neighbors and allies to the rest of the world.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A district in which hard work and following the rules pays off and where even the least among us can lead lives of dignity and security.

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

I clearly remember the assassination of President Kennedy in November, 1963. I was only 2 years old at the time and didn't understand the significance but I remember the emotional reaction of my family and neighbors.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was a dishwasher at the Somers Inn restaurant in Somers Connecticut. I held that job for 2 years while I was in high school.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"El Señor Presidente" by Miguel Angel Asturias

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

I would be a cartoon character that rescues all homeless, unwanted and suffering animals.

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

"Wake me Up" by Cubicolor

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Being born gay made me an outlaw in the eyes of coworkers, my church and Society for most of my life. I thought I had a vocation for religious life when I was in high school. But I didn't pursue it because I was conflicted in my sexuality. I didn't think I could take those vows honestly because I was attracted to other men. Frankly I didn't think I was good enough. Over subsequent decades the Catholic Church persecuted gays and actively lobbied politically against any recognition or extension of rights to people like me; who were trying to build decent, constructive lives based on love and honesty. At the same time, documents now show, they were covering up and protecting pedophiles and predators. I continued to be active in the church, even serving as a lector at the basilica in Washington, DC, until about a year after I got sober. I was able to compartmentalize my sexuality and my religion. But in sobriety, that old phrase "To Thine own Self be True" began to demand a reckoning. I stopped participating in the sacraments, although I still consider myself catholic. I remain hopeful the church will put its own house in order and I'm very encouraged by the words of Pope Francis.

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

It's called the "People's' House" because it's the organ of government most responsive to the problems and concerns of the people of the United States. It's where we debate new ideas and attempt to find the solutions which will move our nation forward.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Each person brings unique experience and character to Congress. Some are accomplished academics, having spent their time delving into research and study while others bring real world experience and everyday perspectives to the body. The voters of each district in their wisdom must choose the representatives they think understand the issues and problems which affect their lives and our nation.

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

Our greatest challenge at present is resisting the forces that are weakening our democratic institutions and representative government. We must fight the forces of creeping authoritarianism which seek to replace our representative form of government with a system which works only for the wealthy and well connected to the exclusion of everyone else.

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

I'd like to be a member of the agriculture, transportation and foreign affairs committees.

If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?

NA

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes I do. The House was designed to be the most responsive to the wishes and needs of the population and I thing a two year term serves that purpose.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I believe that the ballot box is the best term limit. We should not usurp the will of the voters with arbitrary time limits.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

My legislative role models are Chris Dodd, Ed Markey on immigration issues and Russ Feingold on campaign finance laws.

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.

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Footnotes

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Ohio's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Jon Husted (R)

Bernie Moreno (R)

Representatives

District 1

Greg Landsman (D)

District 2

David Taylor (R)

District 3

Joyce Beatty (D)

District 4

Jim Jordan (R)

District 5

Bob Latta (R)

District 6

Michael Rulli (R)

District 7

Max Miller (R)

District 8

Warren Davidson (R)

District 9

Marcy Kaptur (D)

District 10

Michael Turner (R)

District 11

Shontel Brown (D)

District 12

Troy Balderson (R)

District 13

Emilia Sykes (D)

District 14

David Joyce (R)

District 15

Mike Carey (R)

Republican Party (12)

Democratic Party (5)