Matthew Montavon

Matthew Montavon grew up in South Bend, Indiana, as one of nine children.¹ His early jobs included working as a farmhand, janitor, messenger and store clerk.¹ He later spent two years in the Peace Corps supporting rural agricultural communities in Central America.¹

Montavon earned a bachelor's degree in political science and Spanish at the Catholic University of America.¹ He completed a master's in public administration at Indiana University while conducting studies for the state government.¹ His professional experience includes six years with regional planning councils and organizations focused on local government and public finance.¹

He also worked with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization for twenty seven years, supporting programs addressing hunger and food systems.¹ A Southwest Florida resident since the 1990s, he has volunteered with AARP's tax assistance program, Habitat for Humanity and hurricane relief groups.¹ He has led Democrats Abroad in Rome and Sarasota's Democratic Hispanic Caucus.¹

Montavon's current platform combines affordable housing incentives, healthcare price transparency, federal infrastructure investment and closer financial audits of federal agencies.² He supports stronger border infrastructure and an orderly path to legal status, alongside accountability for enforcement agencies.² He is the Democratic nominee facing Republican Congressman Greg Steube and independent Michael Quirk.³