MEET MATT WEST

Building a Sustainable Future.

 Matt West knows that 21st-century challenges require 21st-century solutions. He’s spent his life building a more sustainable future and serving others. A scientist, Matt’s running for Congress to take on our toughest challenges, like the dangers of climate change, with the bold solutions and urgency required to meet this moment. 

The son of a school nurse and a flooring salesman, Matt grew up fascinated with science from a young age and chose to study chemical engineering at the University of Arizona. Matt went on to earn his Ph.D. from the University of Texas - Austin, specializing in fuel cell technology. He wrote his dissertation on how to create new highly efficient and non-polluting power sources. In the face of the climate crisis, including the wildfires and heat dome suffocating the Pacific Northwest, it is time for more scientists and climate experts in Congress.

For the last seven years, Matt has worked as a development engineer at Intel. He designs the laser-based manufacturing processes used to build the latest chips powering our computers, cars, and homes. Working at the cutting edge of technology, Matt knows what it takes to compete in the economy of the future.

Matt is also the first congressional candidate with cryptocurrency development experience in decentralized finance. He has coded strategies for yearn.finance and worked with other groups such as PoolTogether. Matt believes decentralized finance has the incredible promise to create a financial system that works for everyone, but only if people who understand it help to regulate it.

Matt is running because he knows that science is the key to solving some of our biggest challenges - from tackling climate change, providing energy, addressing current and future pandemics, ending food scarcity, and helping to raise people out of poverty — scientific-based solutions will save lives and protect families.

A strong proponent of a stronger democracy, Matt advocated for Better Ballot Benton and Fairvote. He is a longtime supporter of his local food banks, Planned Parenthood, 314 Action, Our Revolution, Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, and the Democratic Party.

Matt has a long history of volunteering, whether building houses for Habitat for Humanity or fostering kittens at Cat’s Cradle Rescue. He is also a member of the Portland Cellar Society. He attends service at St. Andrew Lutheran and is the proud owner of Tad the cat and Paisley the dog.