Born and raised in New Jersey,   I went to college in Pennsylvania and upon graduation I moved to California.  Here I met my wife, of almost 10 years.  We live in rural Sonoma County with our son.  We have dogs, cat, chickens, gardens and plenty of peace and quiet.  Then Ron Paul came along, and BAM; I now a political activist working hard to lessen government encroachment upon our natural born freedoms; from the local school district level to the state level.

I have always been a political junkie.  I can remember paying attention to presidential elections since Bush and Dukakis, when I was only 11 or so.  My father's dinner table was full of discussions, on the brink of full blown disagreements, about politics.  He was once a city councilman and mayor and had worked on election campaigns at the state level.  He had a passion for politics, which gratefully, he passed on to me.

I first registered as a Republican when I turned 18.  I only voted once or twice before going off to college.  In college, I had a really good time, making it last 5 years.  I graduated with a BA in Political Science.  During my poly sci studies, I learned a tremendous amount about the evils of capitalism and the glories of collectivism.  I graduated a Green Party long haired hippie.

I soon moved out to California and met my wife.  We lived in Berkeley and then Oakland where we bought a home, while worked as a painting contractor.  I soon recognized my conservative roots when I came to realize how many taxes and insurances a home and business owner must deal with.  Ridiculous.

After my son was born, my wife and I decided to move from the  life in Oakland to the rural life in Sonoma County.   See I am a hippie, a fan of the Grateful Dead and Phish, .  I believe in freedom.  Being a hippie, to me, meant being non conformist, anti-establishment and against forms of control.  Just wanting to live my life.....Live Free!  I was a registered Libertarian and then independent all the while discovering more of my libertarian yearnings everyday.  You know...taxation is theft, hard currency and  legalizing freedoms.

Then, Ron Paul came along!  After hearing him and the message of Liberty and the Constitution, I woke up.  I found an elected Republican speaking the truth. 

I quickly registered to be a Republican and joined the grass roots Ron Paul Campaign for President.  After the February Primary loss, I charged forward.  I started attending my local school board and my local Republican Party meetings.  One year later, I am a Trustee on the Gravenstein Union School Board and I am on the executive board of the Sonoma County Republican Party.  In August of 2008, I started a Sonoma County affiliate of the Republican Liberty Caucus of California.  The caucus has become the home for Ron Paul Republicans and Barry Goldwater types, the libertarians and constitutionalists of the party.  We are the activists for the local party.  When there is precinct work to be done.  In February or 2009, I was also elected as the Chairman of the Republican Liberty Caucus of California.

So, now I am a very busy man.  I have a wife and toddler that make it all worth wild.  I get paid as a painting contractor yet volunteer helping to Restore our Republic.

www.matthewheath.org