Matthew Heilman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theNorth Dakota House of Representatives from the 7th district | |
| Assumed office December 1, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Rick Becker |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (2001-07-19)July 19, 2001 (age 23) Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence(s) | Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Bismarck State College |
Matthew Heilman (born July 19, 2001) is an American politician who is a member of theNorth Dakota House of Representatives, representing the 7th district. His district comprises part ofBurleigh County.
Heilman graduated fromBismarck State College (BSC) inNorth Dakota. Prior to his election, he served as the founder and president of the BSC chapter ofTurning Point USA, as well as a precinct committeeman for the District 7 Republicans.[1]
On January 10, 2022, Heilman announced his candidacy in the2022 election to represent the 7th district in theNorth Dakota House of Representatives, citing the prevention and elimination of employer-instituted vaccine mandates as his primary motivation.[1] He won the Republican primary with 34.7% of the vote and won the general election unopposed.[2]
In July 2022, Heilman spoke at thefar-right State of the Movement conference presented byVince Dao's organization, American Virtue.[3]
In August 2022, Heilman was revealed to be a member of aTelegram group called the North Dakota Young Republicans which "frequently featured bigoted slurs andwhite supremacist tropes" in its messages between members, including personal attacks against gay public figures andanti-Semitic conspiracy theories.[4]
In December 2022, Heilman re-Tweeted a post calling the JewishPresident of Ukraine,Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the "anti-Christ" for "actively [persecuting] Russian and Ukrainian Christians.[5]
Heilman routinely shares, likes, and interacts with online content shared by white nationalists.[6]
Heilman supports House Bill 1494, aimed at making school meals more accessible to students.[7]
Heilman introduced HB 1404, a bill to allow university students to carry weapons on campus, stating, "If [students] were carrying, it would be a great deterrent for people who want to commit violent acts against them".[8]
Heilman opposessanctuary cities, supporting a bill that would ban them in North Dakota. He stated that this was a proactive measure to prevent what he called "utter disarray" at thesouthern border from coming to North Dakota.[9]
Heilman has called for an end tobirthright citizenship,[10] supported mass deportations,[11] and called theImmigration and Nationality Act of 1965 "awful".[12]
Heilman was anEagle Scout.[13]