Matt Soper
Matt Soper (born 1984) is a state representative from Delta, Colorado. A Republican, Soper represents Colorado House of Representatives District 54, which encompasses parts of Mesa and Delta counties on Colorado's Western Slope.[1]
Matt 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 30, 1984 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 |
Background
Representative Matt Soper was born and raised in Delta, Colorado. Soper's family has continuously farmed land near Delta since 1887. Soper's family has been in Colorado since the state was a territory. On both his maternal and paternal line, Soper is a direct descendent of passengers onboard the Mayflower, which arrived from England to the United States in 1620.
Soper graduated from Delta High School in 2003, magna cum laude, having served as student-body president. During high school and college Soper picked Olathe Sweet Sweet Corn to pay his way through college debt free. At Colorado Mesa University, Soper studied Political Science and Business Administration and earned the prestigious Wayne Aspinall Award and was twice elected Student Trustee to the University's Board of Trustees. After graduating at the top of his class, Soper went on to earn an LL.B. in British Law and an LL.M. in Public International Law from the University of Edinburgh School of Law, and an LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law from University of New Hampshire School of Law. He runs a research and writing business called Oxford Strategies, LLC.[2]
In 2018, Soper made history by being the first person elected to the Colorado legislature from Delta in 54 years. In 2020, Soper, at age 36, was the youngest representative re-elected to House District 54 since Rep. Tim Foster in 1990. Foster, the young Republican’s friend, mentor and, at the time, president of Colorado Mesa University, was 33 at the time of his election. [3] If Soper is re-elected to a third-term in 2022, he will be the first legislator from Mesa or Delta County to serve more than two terms in over 20 years.
Elections
2018
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]
2020
Soper ran unopposed in the Republican primary. He defeated Democratic nominee AliceMarie Slaven-Emond in the general election with 74.44% of the vote.[5]
References
- Colorado Reapportionment Commission Staff (2011-12-22). "Legislative District Information After 2011 Reapportionment House District 54" (PDF). State of Colorado. Retrieved 2019-01-11.
- "Colorado House District 54 candidate Q&A". The Denver Post. 2018-10-10. Retrieved 2019-01-11.
- "Rep. Matt Soper scores decisive re-election win". The Delta County Independent. 2020-11-10. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
- "Colorado election results, November 6, 2018, 2018 General Election". Colorado Secretary of State. 2018-11-06. Retrieved 2019-01-11.
- "Colorado election results, November 3, 2020, 2020 General Election". Colorado Secretary of State. 2020-11-03. Retrieved 2021-02-14.