Dan Matthews may be the only Democratic candidate in the race for the House 113th Special Election June 21, but he has always maintained a very positive working relationship with Republicans all the way back to when he grew up in a heavily GOP district in Des Moines, IA (near a park where President Reagan taught swimming lessons). Matthews considers himself more of a libertarian than a liberal Democrat, and has felt a certain camaraderie with the Athens-Clarke GOP with that to the Oconee County Democratic party as we are both in the minorities in our respective counties. Among the Republicans Matthews has admired would be Theodore Roosevelt (the person who is High School was named after), Jeannette Rankin (part-time resident of Oconee County later in her life), Bob Ray (former Governor of Iowa), and numerous members of the GOP in Oconee County including Ashley Hood, Brian Brodrick, Chuck Horton, Sheriff Scott Berry, and Chuck Toney. Note that none of those folks should be considered to have endorsed me, but he would certainly welcome that as well as your consideration for your vote. Matthews learned a lot from current Secretary of State Brian Kemp in how to run a polite and civil election when Dan managed the failed re-election campaign of State Senator Doug Haines for the 46th State Senate race in 2002. His 11-year-old son attends Athens Academy, and Matthews owns his home outright in Morgan Manor Estates in Watkinsville. He does not want to raise your taxes or fees at all, and remains steadfastly vigilant to keep all government out of your bedroom and home except only where extremely necessary. Matthews has worked for the Oconee County government at Eagle Tavern Welcome Center and at Herman C. Michael Park. He has volunteered to coach soccer and basketball at the Oconee County Recreation Department and more recently at the Premier basketball league for the Athens Academy teams. Matthews is currently employed as an Office Manager/Legal Secretary/paralegal for the Law Offices of Eric K. Krasle and Associates as well as for local attorney Dave Hudgins.
