Matthew Shepherd

This article is about the Arkansas politician. For the Wyoming murder victim, see Matthew Shepard. For the rugby player, see Matthew Shepherd (rugby).
Matthew Shepherd
Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 15, 2018
Preceded byJeremy Gillam
Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives
from the 6th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2011
Preceded byJohn Lowery
Personal details
Born
Matthew Joseph Shepherd

(1976-02-21) February 21, 1976 (age 48)
El Dorado, Arkansas, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseAile Shepherd
Children3
Parent
EducationOuachita Baptist University (BA)
University of Arkansas (JD)

Matthew Joseph Shepherd (born February 21, 1976)[1] is an attorney from his native El Dorado, Arkansas, who is a Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for District 6, which includes western Union County. He was elected in the 2010, 2012, and 2014 legislative races.[2]

In 2010, Shepherd claimed the District 6 seat by defeating Democrat Ken Bridges, 4,780 to 2,074.[3] In 2012, still in the reorganized District 6, Shepherd won a second term, defeating Independent Peter Cyphers, 10,051 to 2,149.[4]

Upon the resignation of Speaker Jeremy Gillam in June 2018, he was elected Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives for the 91st General Assembly. He was re-elected in January 2019 to serve as Speaker of the 92nd General Assembly and again in May 2020 for the 93rd General Assembly.

  1. ^ 91st Arkansas General Assembly Legislative Directory
  2. ^ "Matthew J. Shepherd, R-6". Arkansashouse.org. Archived from the original on 2018-11-13. Retrieved 2013-01-27.
  3. ^ "House District 6 election returns, 2010". ballotpedia.org. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  4. ^ "House District 6 election returns, 2012". ballotpedia.org. Retrieved January 11, 2014.