Election Profile: Matthew Filosa For State Assembly

MANASQUAN, NJ – Matthew Filosa is running on the Democratic ticket for State Assembly in the 30th District this November. Filosa is on the ticket with Stephen Dobbins for the two seats on the Assembly.

There is a contested Republican primary for the State Assembly in the 30th District, with incumbents Sean Kean and Ned Thomson being challenged by Alter Eliezer Richter.

Name: Matthew Filosa

Age: 21

Town: Howell

Career: College Student

Education: B.A. in Political Science and minor in Homeland Security (Pending final semester Fall 2021).

Family: My mother’s name is Christine, and I have an older sister named Allison.

Why are you running for office?

I am running because we need new leaders who actually represent the constituents of LD 30. The people deserve to know who their representatives are. If a voter cannot name their state representatives, it is not their fault but rather a failure of incumbent leaders who have chosen to be absent. As an Eagle Scout, I learned what the rigors of leadership entail and will harness those skills in being an advocate for building a better community and elevating those around us to live their best lives. Leadership is not about titles and power but duty to your people, and that is where I shall dedicate my energy. Also, it is important to give a voice to the hard-working folks of our area. We do need to shake things up a bit regardless of who controls power and show that ordinary people are not to be taken for granted. I am a political outsider, and the people deserve to have a representative who will listen to them, inform them and represent them.

What is your platform?

Our platform is to bring blue-collar jobs back to LD 30. By making infrastructure investments such as solar and wind energy right here in our district, we will employ thousands in trade jobs to work on them. We are here to preserve our open space and farmland by utilizing them for solar fields to prevent overdevelopment, support our local farmers, and preserve the area's natural beauty. All of this will bolster our economy because, with new employment, residents will be spending in the local economy. We also want to address the issue of education. This area is a working-class area; not everyone needs to go to college. Trade jobs are crucial to our future, and making the investment in vocational and trade education will open up more opportunities for our students to jump right into employment in these new fields. And lastly, we must address the issue of property taxes. New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the country, and it is a concern for everyone. While property tax rates are determined by local governing bodies, we will work to cut red tape and bureaucracy so taxpayers can realize some savings in the legislature.

Do you have previous experience in the world of politics and government?

Yes, I worked on the reelection campaign for Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) in 2016 and 2018. Also, I am a political science student with a vast knowledge of politics and government; a proud member of the National Political Science Honor Society. I completed my thesis on presidential elections and party control of the White House using the variable of economic stability to determine which party will have control. I am a member of Monmouth University's policy Debate team, where we have debated nationwide on issues ranging from space policy to international relations and alliances. I have also coached debate to elementary school students in the past. I am a writer for the Monmouth University newspaper, The Outlook, with articles featured in the politics column. In January of 2021, I was appointed to the Howell Township Farmer’s Advisory Committee, where we are dedicated to preserving farmland and giving a voice to farmers in the area.

What is the most important issue facing your constituency, and how do you plan to deal with it?

The most important issues are the ones raised in our platform. People care about having good-paying jobs, strong infrastructure, quality education for their kids, a vibrant local economy, and relief in their property taxes. Our platform connects each of these together. By addressing any one of these issues, the other issues are being addressed as well. Again, by investing in vocational education and infrastructure projects, we will have a workforce that is boosting our economy. Local businesses are being supported, and by reducing red tape, we can help taxpayers.

Why should voters vote for you?

Voters should vote for me because leadership matters. For years people have been voting for the same incumbents, and nothing is changing. It is business as usual, and nothing is getting done. This is beyond party politics; this about having leaders who are engaged in the community and active in seeking to make it better. If voters cannot name their representatives, then what are the representatives doing? We offer a different path, one that is built on dialogue and dedication. We do not have to agree on every issue, but we sure will agree that good leadership matters at the end of the day. I am here to be there for the constituents of this district to listen to them and represent them. People want something different but are getting the same business as usual results. We are better than this. We are faced with a choice to either go for leaders who are stuck in the past or new ideas and new people that will bring us to the future.