Matt Newton (D-NC-12)
Matt Newton
Campaign links: Matt Newton (D-NC-12) 
Matthew “Matt” Newton
Matt Newton Congressional Candidate North Carolina District 12
Biography of Matt Newton from Matt Newton for U.S. Congress
My name is Matt Newton. I’m a 32 year-old Charlotte native who is asking for your help in becoming the next U.S. Representative for the North Carolina 12th Congressional District.
From a very early age, I’ve worked hard and smart to get to where I am today. I studied long hours through public school here in Charlotte to earn my high school diploma at the age of 16. I then attended UNC-Wilmington and graduated three years later, at the age of 19. After graduation, I moved to Miami where I earned my stripes interning for a small law firm.
When I was accepted into California’s Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2001, I knew there was no way I’d have enough money to pull off a move across the country. So I did what I have always done and what so many of us have to do these days to get ahead… I worked harder and longer, slept shorter, and saved my pennies.
I believe you have to do what must be done in order to make your dreams come true, even if that means a 70-hour workweek. So for me, rolling up my sleeves and busing tables, mopping floors, and washing dishes in a bar and grill (day after day) or slinging coffee and selling donuts at a local Krispy Kreme was a small sacrifice for a chance at a big dream.
I focused on trial practice throughout my years in law school. During that time, I volunteered at the San Diego Domestic Violence Clinic, joined the law school’s chapter of the National Lawyer’s Guild, was highly involved in student government, and competed in a national mock trial competition. I also spent my last year of school clerking in the Law Offices of James T. Bentson, focusing primarily in civil litigation.
The first law office I clerked at after school specialized in labor law and malpractice. Hard-working people often need exceptional representation during the worst times in their lives and it was there that I saw firsthand how big-money corporations, insurance companies, unfathomable bureaucracy, and unfair labor laws enacted by career politicians seldom benefit those who work the hardest and earn the least.
In fact, when a tragedy happened in my own family, I saw how corporate insurance companies could take advantage of those I loved while they were suffering from a life-changing loss. So I did what I have done my whole life… I got to work, I fought back, and I won.
I met the love of my life, Tiffany Arroyo, three years ago. Tiffany has also worked tirelessly to help others and together we started our own private law practice (Newton & Arroyo, PLLC) just over a year ago. We work endlessly to help those who are unable to fight for what is needed, fair, and just.
I’m running for this House seat because there has never been a more dire need for real leaders in Washington; leaders who are willing to stand up and fight against special interests and their paid for politicians. If we don’t stand up—and stand together—we may not have many more opportunities to correct our course and prevent a disaster for the disappearing working class. We have watched inequalities that were already entrenched in our society become a thousand times worse over the last decade. Those who claimed they would lead have not. They succumbed to their biggest campaign contributors and business as usual in Washington, and the people have suffered.
This last year we’ve watched protests by ordinary Americans, like you and me, who still believe the political system can work for us. They raised public awareness of the problems plaguing our bewildered middle and lower classes, and Washington took note. President Obama alluded to those protestors in his January 24, 2012 State of the Union Address when he stated:
“Let’s never forget: Millions of Americans who work hard and play by the rules every day deserve a government and a financial system that do the same. It’s time to apply the same rules from top to bottom: no bailouts, no handouts, and no copouts.”
It is now time to take the frustration and angst from the streets of our cities into the voting booth. We need leaders who will put the people in our precincts before the pocketbooks of their Super-PACs. It is a chance… maybe our last real chance, to try something our leaders only seem to remember around election time, which is that they work for us. I believe with the privilege of serving others comes the expectation to stand up, fight back, and lead by example.
On May 8, 2012, you will finally have a choice. You can choose to stay the course and continue to trust the same career politicians who created the mess that we are all so desperately trying to claw our way out of. Or, you can elect new leaders with fresh energy, fresh ideas, and fresh vision who are only beholden to the people. I ask that you cast your vote for change and join me in fixing the problems plaguing Washington.
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