Matt Soper
Matthew Soper | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Colorado House of Representatives from the 54th district | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Yeulin Willett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 31, 1984[1] Delta, Colorado |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence(s) | Delta, Colorado |
| Alma mater | Colorado Mesa University University of Edinburgh University of New Hampshire |
| Profession | Businessman Professional researcher and writer |
| Website | www |
Matt Soper (born July 31, 1984) is a Republican politician who represents Colorado House of Representatives District 54, which encompasses parts of Mesa and Delta counties on Colorado's Western Slope.[2]
Background
[edit]Soper holds degrees from Colorado Mesa University, the University of Edinburgh School of Law, and the University of New Hampshire School of Law. He runs a research and writing business called Oxford Strategies, LLC.[3]
Elections
[edit]2018
[edit]Soper ran unopposed in the Republican primary to replace retiring incumbent Yeulin Willett. He defeated Independent candidate Thea Chase in the general election with 66.01% of the vote.[4]
Soper listed his address as 10 Hartig Drive in Delta, a home owned by his mother. His mother had rented the house to another family since August 2016, but Soper claimed he "had a room" in the house, which the family renting the house denied.[5] After the family shared this discrepancy with the media, Soper's mother evicted them so Soper could reside there.[6] The district attorney conducted an investigation of Soper for unlawful voting, but ultimately determined not to file criminal charges.[7]
2020
[edit]Soper ran unopposed in the Republican primary. He defeated Democratic nominee AliceMarie Slaven-Emond in the general election with 74.44% of the vote.[8]
2022
[edit]In the 2022 Colorado House of Representatives general election, Soper defeated his Democratic Party opponent, winning 73.80% of the total votes cast.[9]
2024
[edit]Soper ran for re-election in 2024. In the Republican primary election held June 25, 2024, he ran unopposed.[10] In the general election held November 5, 2024, Soper also ran unopposed.[11]
Tenure
[edit]In March 2023, Soper made a post on X that called for civil war over several bills before the Colorado Legislature dealing with gun control. Soper later apologized to the Colorado House for using at least "some of those words" in the post, but did not specify which ones he was apologizing for.[12]
Following president Jimmy Carter's death in December 2024, Soper posted on X that he "Opened a bottle of Champaigne [sic] tonight! The world is rid of a despot! Thank God he finally called Carter home! The worst president in the history of the U.S.! We are still recovering! He destroyed the U.S. in such a way that even the 4th generation is still suffering!" Soper deleted the post and apologized to news outlets, but did not directly address his celebration of Carter's death.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ Soper, Matt. "Had a great time celebrating my 40th birthday! ..." Instagram. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
- ^ Colorado Reapportionment Commission Staff (December 22, 2011). "Legislative District Information After 2011 Reapportionment House District 54" (PDF). State of Colorado. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
- ^ "Colorado House District 54 candidate Q&A". The Denver Post. October 10, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
- ^ "Colorado election results, November 6, 2018, 2018 General Election". Colorado Secretary of State. November 6, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
- ^ ASHBY, CHARLES (October 19, 2018). "Where does Matt Soper live?". The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
- ^ ASHBY, CHARLES (October 24, 2018). "Candidate's family seeks eviction". The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
- ^ "Investigation Regarding Representative Matthew Soper". 7th Judicial District Attorney. March 12, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
- ^ "Colorado election results, November 3, 2020, 2020 General Election". Colorado Secretary of State. November 3, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
- ^ "Colorado election results: November 8, 2022, general election state representative district 54". Colorado Secretary of State. State of Colorado. n.d. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
- ^ "June 25, 2024 primary election: State Representative District 54 Republican Primary". Colorado Secretary of State. October 15, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ "November 5, 2024 general election State Representative District 54". Colorado Secretary of State. December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ Ashby, Charles (March 7, 2023). "Soper apologizes for 'civil war' tweet". The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
- ^ "Colorado Rep. apologizes after post celebrating the death of Jimmy Carter". KUSA-TV. Retrieved December 31, 2024.
External links
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- Living people
- Republican Party members of the Colorado House of Representatives
- 21st-century members of the Colorado General Assembly
- People from Delta County, Colorado
- 21st-century American businesspeople
- Colorado Mesa University alumni
- Alumni of the University of Edinburgh School of Law
- University of New Hampshire School of Law alumni
- 1984 births
- Colorado politician stubs