by Rep. Mathew McIntyre
It is an honor to represent sixteen towns, and parts of four unorganized territories spanning three counties (Penobscot, Washington and Hancock) in the legislature. Since I am new to politics, I feel it prudent to elaborate on why I ran for public office and what I stand for, beyond what I offered voters while going door-to-door. It seems reasonable for me to give my constituents a little more background, beyond my party affiliation and what was printed on my door-knock flyer.
I grew up rural as the eighth of nine children of Richard and Marguerite McIntyre. That was a lot of mouths to feed and times weren’t always easy, so I got my first job at the age of 7 to buy some things that I wanted but probably didn’t actually need (mostly candy). Bailing hay, picking rocks and shoveling manure on the neighbor’s horse farm was the first employment ($1.75 per hour) I could reach within walking distance. I saved up and bought a bicycle, which expanded my range. Eventually, I saved enough money to buy my first car, which afforded me new opportunities.
I graduated high school in 1988, lost my way for a bit after my father died, and then joined the US Navy in 1991 and began to grow up. The responsibilities associated with operating nuclear reactors onboard a war-deployed aircraft carrier most certainly accelerated my appreciation for being an adult. In 1998, I transitioned from the military to the United States Secret Service, and applied my Navy-acquired skills in new ways to protect 4 different sets of Presidents and Vice Presidents.
These two paths afforded me the chance to explore all 50 states, and 6 of the 7 continents. I learned a whole lot along the way. It was my honor to serve our Nation, and I remain humbled by the opportunities I have been blessed with. In 2020, I knew it was time to pass the torch to the younger generation of guardians, so I retired. I confess I was both melancholy and ecstatic to put Washington DC in the rearview mirror, but with my beautiful wife Kerry by my side, we moved to Maine and made the small town of Lowell our new “forever home”.
On the campaign trail, many asked me why don’t you just stay retired and “enjoy the good life”. My answer was quite easy, and came from my heart. I refuse to sit idly by as far too many of my new neighbors are rightfully concerned about Maine’s future. We are not on a good course and it is time for meaningful policy corrections. Future generations are relying on us, not to pave the road in gold for them, but to at least ensure that they can afford to live here.
Even though I ran unopposed in my campaign for the legislature, I still went door-to-door asking for support and for advice on what state government should focus on. Overwhelmingly, people felt that state government seemed disconnected to the everyday needs of Maine citizens. Maine’s overall tax burden, energy costs, high prices and housing shortage were major topics of discussion. People are also concerned with the decline of our educational system, the drug crisis and the condition of our roads and bridges. There were other topics, but people had little faith that state government was doing much more than throwing their hard-earned money at problems that continue to get worse.
I have much to learn, but am committed to either introducing or supporting policies that are a direct result of what you presented to me on the campaign trail as your concerns and goals for our State. I will be open and transparent. I will be professionally passionate. Your voice will be carried forward and I will do all within my ability to ensure your message is heard.
Please feel free to contact me with questions, concerns, or for assistance with state government. I can be reached at 207-680-0678, or by email at Mathew.McIntyre@legislature.maine.gov . You can also follow “Representative Mathew McIntyre” on Facebook.
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