Biography
Matt Bradford, freshman State Representative for Pennsylvania’s 70th Legislative District in Central Montgomery County, understands the issues confronting our communities. As a state representative, an attorney and a former municipal official, Matt has a proven record of fighting for our families.
A husband and the father of two young children, Matt knows that the decisions made today in Harrisburg will have a real impact on our communities for years to come. That’s why during just his first term in office Matt was appointed to the powerful House Appropriations Committee, where he has worked cut back on wasteful government spending while supporting key investments in early childhood and elementary education, job creation, green energy technologies and environmental protection.
Matt was raised in nearby Chester County. He is the youngest of three boys and the proud son of Marguerite and David Bradford. Marguerite served her country in the U.S Naval Reserve and later her family as a working mom. Matt’s father, who traveled extensively as a salesman while Matt was young, instilled in Matt a deep sense of duty and sacrifice for the betterment of one’s family. Subsequently, Matt’s parents opened a small family business where Matt frequently worked after school, on weekends and during the summer. From that experience, Matt learned the importance of hard work and an even greater respect for his parents’ sacrifices.
Matt earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Villanova University. As an undergraduate, he was active in numerous charitable organizations and also volunteered as a youth basketball coach for the local CYO. In law school, Matt worked in the general counsel’s office of the United Steelworkers Union. After graduation, he worked in the litigation department of a major national law firm.
Matt took a leave from his law practice to work as Norristown’s municipal administrator alongside Joseph Vignola, Gov. Ed Rendell’s financial advisor for Norristown. For nearly a year, Matt navigated the financially distressed community away from a state takeover and toward financial stability. Matt was instrumental Norristown’s financial recovery. After uncovering millions of dollars of waste, restructuring Norristown’s debt and negotiating contract concessions, the municipality’s budgets are now balanced and public and private investment have increased tremendously.
Prior to being elected State Representative in 2008, Matt served as a solicitor for several townships and on a local school board. Matt resides in Worcester Township with his wife, Renee, and their two young children, Kate and Jack.