My Bio
Matthias is a Georgia native whose roots in sustainable agriculture, land stewardship, and community service have guided every chapter of his career. A University System of Georgia graduate with a background in political science and economics, he brings a rare combination of legal expertise, entrepreneurial experience, and grassroots political organizing to his candidacy.
After earning his J.D. from Vermont Law School, Matthias built a legal career spanning probate court administration, business law, real estate, and intellectual property. His earlier work directing political campaigns across party lines — and founding a biotechnology start-up focused on soil restoration through bioremediation — reflects a pragmatic, solutions-first approach to complex problems.
Matthias is running for Portland City Council to bring that same dedication to the challenges facing our community — from small business support to environmental stewardship and accessible, responsive local government.
The leaders of the civil rights movement — King, John Lewis, Fannie Lou Hamer — believed that the Constitution was worth fighting for because its promise was worth keeping. They did not give up on America. They demanded that America live up to itself. That is the tradition I stand in. A vote for this campaign is a vote to continue that unfinished work — right here in District 3, block by block, neighbor by neighbor.
My Key Issues
Equal Justice Under Law — For Everyone
The Constitution's protections mean nothing if they are applied unevenly. Every District 3 resident — regardless of race, income, or zip code — deserves equal treatment from every city institution: the police bureau, the courts, housing authorities, and city permitting offices alike. Demand transparent, community-reviewed standards for police conduct and accountability Ensure city contracting and permitting processes are fair and accessible to small businesses and minority-owned firms Support legal aid access so that low-income residents can actually exercise their rights in court End practices that produce disparate outcomes by race or class — wherever they are found in city government
Economic Dignity — Jobs, Wages, and Opportunity
King said it simply: "It's as pure as a man needing an income to support his family." Southeast Portland has working families stretched impossibly thin. A city council seat is a platform to fight for economic conditions that let ordinary people thrive — not just survive. Advocate for local hiring requirements in city-funded development projects Support workforce training pipelines connecting District 3 residents to living-wage trades Cut red tape that prevents small businesses and street vendors from operating legally and affordably Push for city procurement policies that prioritize local, small, and worker-owned businesses
Affordable Housing — A Home is a Human Right
The Poor People's Campaign demanded that government build affordable housing and stop displacing poor communities. Decades later, Southeast Portland families face the same crisis — skyrocketing rents, evictions, and a shelter system stretched beyond capacity. The city has tools it is not using. Expand tenant protections and enforce existing renter rights laws with real consequences Accelerate permitting for affordable housing developments — especially near transit Invest city resources in permanent supportive housing, not emergency shelter cycling Protect existing naturally affordable housing stock from speculative conversion
Safe Neighborhoods — Public Safety for All
King's coalition included communities that had been failed by both crime and by unjust policing. True public safety means neither abandoning neighborhoods to violence nor subjecting them to over-policing. District 3 deserves a fully staffed, accountable police bureau — alongside robust mental health crisis response, violence interruption programs, and well-lit, maintained public spaces. Fund and staff the Portland Street Response and crisis response alternatives to policing Restore neighborhood walking beats and community liaison officers in District 3 Invest in community violence interruption programs led by trusted residents Maintain parks, lighting, and public infrastructure as basic tools of neighborhood safety
A Government That Works — Accountable, Responsive, Effective
King's campaign demanded that government actually deliver on its obligations. Our new District 3 council seats are an opportunity to hold city hall to that standard. I will measure success not by intentions but by outcomes: Are services reaching people? Are rights being protected? Is city money being spent wisely? Require measurable performance reporting from every city bureau serving District 3 Hold regular, accessible town halls in neighborhoods across the district — not just at city hall Advocate for city budgets built around community-identified priorities, not institutional inertia Ensure new city council reforms actually produce responsiveness and accountability
Send Me a Message
Have questions or suggestions? I would love to hear from you!
Campaign Headquarters
4207 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97206, USA