Port Angeles, WA: Matthew (Matt) Roberson launched his campaign for one of the 24th District’s two state representative positions. Roberson, 38, has registered with Washington’s Public Disclosure Commission for position 1 as a Republican. The seat is currently held by Mike Chapman who is seeking a state senator position instead in 2024. Roberson is an experienced deputy prosecutor for Clallam County’s felony division in Port Angeles.
On his decision, Roberson said, “This state and country have been really good to me. Being a parent, I want to make sure that my daughter has even more opportunities to succeed and experience the American Dream than I did. I want that for all our district’s children. When I look around at where we are as a state, with public safety, the fentanyl epidemic, our education system, that won’t be possible with the status quo. So I’m running for a better Washington. We’ve had the same group in charge in Olympia for too long and it’s time for a change.”
Roberson is preparing his campaign to focus on major issues facing families in the 24th district, namely public safety, quality of education, and the cost of living. “As a deputy prosecutor, I’ve dealt with cases ranging from DUIs and shoplifting to sex crimes and homicide. And I’ve seen the deadly impact of fentanyl on our communities. I think I have the experience to fight for safer communities. I’m also a parent who has to sit around the kitchen table with my wife making tough decisions about spending when the costs of groceries, fuel, and taxes go up. We need to work on funding high priority services like our schools without increasing the burden on working families.”
Recognizing the political realities of the district, Roberson explained, “It’s going to take hard work and a team effort, but I think voters are ready for a change to someone who will work for commonsense, pragmatic solutions. I don’t think they want more of the same out of Olympia.”
The 24th Legislative District comprises the counties of Clallam and Jefferson and a portion of Grays Harbor County. Roberson is originally from Tacoma but has lived with his wife Arielle in the Port Angeles area since 2016. They have one child.