Matt's Priorities

For too long in Annapolis, big-money interests—especially powerful developers—have drowned out the voices of local communities. Matt has seen it happen again and again: residents show up, speak out, and still lose to whoever writes the biggest check. Matt is running to change that. He will introduce legislation to ban campaign contributions from developers with active development applications, ending the pay-to-play politics that undermine public trust. And he will fight to expand public campaign financing so candidates can run on small-dollar donations instead of special-interest money—just like the system Governor Larry Hogan used to win statewide office. Right now, that option is unfairly closed to General Assembly candidates, leaving the door wide open for politicians bankrolled by big money. Matt will work to close that door for good and put power back where it belongs—with the people, not the checkbooks.

Matt believes government should protect our communities—not tie them up in red tape. He knows from firsthand experience that not every problem can be solved by another regulation from Annapolis, and that many well-intended rules have ended up hurting the very people they were meant to help. Too often, farmers, small businesses, and homeowners are buried in paperwork just to make minor improvements—while massive projects sail through the approval process. Matt has seen neighbors struggle for months to get a permit for a small deck, even as wetlands were cleared on the lot next door. That’s not smart government—and it’s not fair. Matt will push the General Assembly to take a hard, comprehensive look at business and land-use regulations and modernize them to reflect today’s realities. His goal is simple: protect what matters, cut what doesn’t, and make government work for the people who live, work, and farm here.

Traffic in South County isn’t just frustrating—it’s dangerous. Our crowded state highways are often the only way in and out of our communities, and when traffic backs up, emergency vehicles can be delayed or blocked entirely. Too many of these roads lack the third lanes or shoulders needed to keep people safe in a crisis. Worse, some roads are built so low that high tides and flooding can cut off entire peninsulas, turning neighborhoods into stranded islands. These aren’t minor inconveniences—they are serious public safety failures that demand action. Matt will be a relentless advocate for fixing South County’s roads. He’ll press the General Assembly, the State Highway Administration, the Governor’s Office, and—when necessary—federal agencies to invest in real infrastructure solutions that reduce congestion, improve emergency access, and keep our communities connected and safe.

South County’s farms, forests, and rivers define who we are—and once they’re gone, they’re gone forever. Matt has spent his career standing up to overdevelopment and fighting to protect the natural resources that make South County special. Matt wrote Anne Arundel County’s Forest Conservation Ordinance, safeguarding countless acres of forest from being bulldozed. He authored the County’s greenways plan to preserve thousands of acres of open space and repeatedly took on developers who tried to “upzone” and pave over rural land. Now in Annapolis, Matt will fight for smart growth that protects South County’s rural character—making it harder to destroy forests and farmlands, while encouraging redevelopment of outdated commercial sites instead. And he will continue his long-standing commitment to restoring our rivers and the Chesapeake Bay by holding the line on Maryland’s promise to reduce stormwater pollution. Protecting our land. Defending our water. Preserving South County for the next generation.

Families across South County are being squeezed by rising costs for the basics—electricity, child care, housing, education, and health care. Working harder shouldn’t mean falling further behind, but for too many people, that’s exactly what’s happening. Matt believes it’s past time for the General Assembly to hold energy providers accountable and demand real cost relief for working families. He will work across party lines to modernize Maryland’s tax code so middle- and lower-income residents can keep more of what they earn. Matt will also push for common-sense land-use policies that encourage affordable housing on already-developed land—protecting our rural character while making sure the next generation of South County residents can afford to live, work, and raise a family right here at home.