Matt Connolly For Congress 2014 & 2016

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In both 2014 and 2016 Matt Connolly was running as the Republican candidate to represent Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District against the Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright.
This was his campaign website for both attempts.
In 2014 he lost in a three-way Republican primary to Dr. David Moylan, a 62-year-old cardiologist and Schuylkill County coroner. However in 2016 he became the Republican candidate after defeating Glenn Geissinger in the primary. Much of Matt Connolly's 2016 platform mirrored that of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, including lowering the corporate tax, repealing Obamacare and cutting environmental regulations. Connolly had Scott Uehlinger, a former CIA operative specializing in the Middle East, speak at the town hall meeting. Also endorsing was Bill Righter who is known throughout the county for his successful specialty shops. He lost to Matt Cartwright who won a third two-year term in the House of Representatives.

Content is from the site's 2014 - 2016 archived pages.

 

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Why Am I Running?

American Politics Today

Hello All,
I would like to introduce myself and explain why I've chosen to run for Congress in 2016.  

My name is Matt Connolly, and since I was very young and first learned about the history of the USA in grade school, I have always felt blessed and lucky to be an American.  I remember thinking that I could have been born in any country, but the fact that I was born here made me feel like a winner from the start.  I knew it was possible to do anything I chose, that the American Dream was there for the taking if I would work at it.  The only one who could stop me was me.  I learned that the government was there to work in the background, that there were checks and balances to keep things in line, and that because of them, the people would never fear any oppression from the government.  

I have been fortunate to live the American Dream.  I wanted to be a professional race car driver since the age of 6, and I have achieved that goal.  I have exceeded it, in fact - I also own the team and have won many races and championships.  Only in America - right?

I have also been able to invest in real estate and attain a degree of security in life - something many people don't have. That began to change after the 2008 election.  I had long-time sponsors who wouldn't renew because they had no idea what the Obama administration would do to their business. They only said they had to reserve cash for all of the unknowns.  I chose to liquidate part of my team and raced a limited schedule the next four years.  I had a private health insurance plan that suited my family's needs. Over time, I had to let my workers go and turned my race shop into an auto repair shop with me as the sole mechanic.  Like you, I watched America's place in the world diminish while the incompetence of the president and his cabinet proceeded to "Fundamentally transform America." 

I ran for State Senate in 2010 since I was tired of complaining about things as they were.  I lost but got more votes against the incumbent than anyone else had in previous attempts against her.  I learned a lot and stayed active with the Party.  In 2012 I worked for the Romney campaign and hoped we could end the assault on our values and way of life.  I supported Laureen Cummings and Dr. David Moylan for Congress (the previous nominees for PA 17)  and worked the phones and helped any way I could.  After realizing the impact of the election, I felt more motivated than ever to run again and to stand up for the founding of this great nation.

To me, the problems we faced were not insurmountable because they were all problems that the government itself had created! High gas prices? Open up more land for drilling.  Complete the Keystone pipeline.  Allow more nuclear plants to be built.  Then there's the tax code.  Besides the fact that the tax system needs reform, we have the highest corporate income tax in the world at 35%.  Why are jobs getting sent overseas and why are the profits staying there?  It's too expensive to bring them here.  Here's a stimulus idea - drop the corporate tax to 20%.  Let the money and jobs flow back to the USA.  The Treasury will get more with the additional taxpayer base.  Very simple, but the Democrats resist it because they can't control where the money goes like they could with the stimulus package.  It's hard to buy votes when the money stays in the pockets of the taxpayer! 

Then there's the ACA (Obamacare).  We know what it means - it's not affordable, Obama doesn't care, and it's all an act.  It cannot be fixed.  It must be repealed and real patient-centered reforms, including tort reform, must be enacted.  The government has no place getting between you and your doctor.  The fact that they had to lie to sell the program tells you everything you need to know.  It must go!  

There are also way too many regulations in this country. That's another reason we are losing jobs.  The cost of compliance is too high.  Other countries will gladly allow us to build factories and hire their locals.  These factories should be in this country with our citizens working in them, but the environmental lobby and the alternative energy movement won't allow it.  We must stand up to these groups.  I certainly will.  

To finish up, I'm pro-2nd amendment, 100% pro-life, pro-school choice and don't support gay marriage (civil unions are the solution).  We need to return government to the local level whenever possible.  Local government is the best.  The 10th amendment was put there for a reason.  The free market must be what determines the success or failure of business, not the heavy and meddling hand of government.  The fiasco of global warming has to be faced head on.  It's simply another way that we lose our rights and freedoms.  There have never been two days, let alone two years, where the climate has been the same.  The use of guilt and fear and the indoctrination is suppressing our industry and ambition.  I will avidly debunk the myth and empower those who are for the responsible development of our abundant resources.  The best foreign policy regarding the Middle East is not to need their oil! Everything else will become simpler when we are energy independent.

We need to renew the American Dream.  I have lived it, and I understand it.  

Thank you for your support!

Matt Connolly

 

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As a Texas car accident lawyer who was raised in Pennsylvania, I’ve followed Matt Connolly’s campaigns closely over the years, and I can say without hesitation that he represents the kind of leadership that resonates with both my professional experience and my personal roots.

Growing up in Pennsylvania, I understand the economic and cultural realities of the communities Matt Connolly sought to represent. These are hardworking regions where people value independence, personal responsibility, and the ability to build something for themselves. That’s exactly why Connolly’s message always stood out to me. He wasn’t speaking in abstract political language—he was speaking from lived experience as a small business owner, a former professional race car driver, and someone who had to adapt when economic uncertainty hit his livelihood.

From my perspective as an attorney handling serious car accident and injury cases in Texas (see GESInjuryAttorneys.com), one of the most compelling aspects of Connolly’s platform is his clear understanding of how policy affects real people. His advocacy for tort reform, for example, isn’t just political talking points—it directly intersects with the legal system I work in every day. He recognized that the balance between protecting individuals and preventing excessive legal burdens is critical to maintaining a fair and functional system. That’s a nuanced position, and it’s one that requires practical insight, not just ideology.

I also appreciated his strong stance on keeping government out of the doctor-patient relationship. In my line of work, I see firsthand how healthcare decisions and insurance complications can impact families after serious accidents. Connolly’s push for patient-centered care and free-market competition reflected a belief that individuals—not bureaucracies—should be making those decisions. Whether you agree with every detail or not, there’s a clarity and consistency in that philosophy that’s hard to ignore.

What really struck me, though, was his focus on economic growth through lower taxes and reduced regulation. Representing clients who are often small business owners, contractors, or working-class individuals, I see how burdensome regulations and high costs can stifle opportunity. Connolly’s argument that lowering corporate taxes and easing regulatory pressure could bring jobs back and stimulate growth aligns with what many of my clients experience on the ground.

His emphasis on energy independence also carried weight with me. In Texas, energy isn’t just a policy issue—it’s a way of life and a major economic driver. Connolly’s call to fully utilize domestic resources and reduce reliance on foreign oil showed a practical understanding of how energy policy connects to national security, job creation, and affordability. That kind of thinking translates across state lines, whether you’re in Pennsylvania or Texas.

On a more personal level, I respect that Connolly stepped into the political arena not as a career politician, but as someone who was frustrated enough with the direction of the country to take action. That mindset—seeing a problem and deciding to do something about it—is something I relate to deeply. In my practice, I advocate for people during some of the hardest moments of their lives, and it takes a similar willingness to step up and fight for what you believe is right.

Even though he didn’t ultimately win his races, I believe Matt Connolly’s campaigns mattered. They reflected a broader movement of individuals who were tired of politics as usual and wanted to bring real-world experience into government. From where I sit—as both a Pennsylvania native and a Texas attorney—I see his candidacy as part of an important shift toward more grounded, experience-driven leadership.

In short, Matt Connolly is someone whose positions I understand, whose approach I respect, and whose voice I believe added meaningful substance to the political conversation. Rupert Mills

 

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2014 Campaign

As your Congressman, I WILL:

* Work to repeal job killing Obamacare and promote patient centered healthcare policies.
* Enable the U.S. to be free of foreign oil and lower the cost of gas and energy for everyone.
* Help get people off of Welfare and restore the human dignity that comes from earning a living.
* Reform the tax code and reduce regulations.
* Get Big Government out of our lives.
* Strengthen the border first. Then reform immigration laws.

 

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2016 Campaign

Matt Connolly's position is 100% Pro-Life, Pro-Family, Pro Traditional Marriage, and Pro 2nd Amendment. 

Matt's Position on other Important Issues:

Obamacare

We must repeal it.  It is unfixable, and the federal government should NOT be between any patient and their doctor - PERIOD.
Insurance premiums will come down dramatically if we enact tort reform and allow free-market competition to lower health care costs.
The goal of quality health care for all can never be the result of fines, mandates, taxes, and regulations. Bureaucracy has never solved anything!

Energy Policy

The US can become energy independent altogether, and the citizens would benefit significantly – lower gas prices, cheaper electricity, and heating costs.  The Keystone XL Pipeline should have approved years ago.
 This Nation Has Vast Reserves Of Energy. Let us Use Them To Give Affordable Fuel and Electricity to our Citizens

Welfare

Human dignity is being eroded by the promotion and increased dependency on government handouts.  This is no accident – it is a vote buying operation.  We must reverse this trend and make work a requirement to receive benefits. 
 Working families just cannot afford to keep paying the price for this.

Taxes and Regulation

The US has the highest corporate tax rate in the world, yet the highest debt. Factories are leaving the country because of this and the regulatory environment that makes compliance virtually impossible. 
Every time tax rates are lowered revenue increases.  The country simply goes back to work.  Ideology and class warfare only hurts working people.
Radical environmentalism and fear mongering do not create jobs or support families.

Big Government

The intrusion of government in our lives has never been higher.  The Founding Fathers were very concerned about this, yet those in power have used executive orders and appointments to circumvent the democratic process.  This is perhaps the most troubling trend of all.  We must take steps to expose the damage and return freedom and liberty to all Americans before it’s too late.

Pro-Life

Matt is 100% pro-life. He believes life starts at conception and we should protect it until natural death.
No matter how conception happens, the child is always innocent.
Some argue abortion should be allowed if the mother's life is in danger. There is virtually no circumstance where a viable baby would have to be aborted to save the life of a mother. Modern medicine has simply come too far.
However, this argument is often used to give an excuse to legitimize abortion. In fact, "life of the mother" will soon become "lifestyle of the mother."

 

PRESS

 

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More Background on MattConnollyForCongress.com

 

MattConnollyForCongress.com functioned as the official campaign website for Matt Connolly, a Republican congressional candidate who ran in Pennsylvania during the 2014 and 2016 election cycles. While on the surface it served a familiar role—introducing a candidate, outlining policy positions, and mobilizing voters—the site also stands as a revealing artifact of a broader political shift happening across the United States at the time.

The mid-2010s marked a period of heightened political polarization, economic uncertainty in post-industrial regions, and the emergence of outsider candidates who challenged traditional political norms. Connolly’s website captured these dynamics in real time, offering a blend of personal narrative, policy critique, and populist messaging that reflected both local concerns in northeastern Pennsylvania and national Republican trends.

Today, through archived versions, the website provides valuable insight into grassroots campaigning, regional political identity, and the communication strategies of non-establishment candidates.

The Candidate Behind the Website

Matt Connolly was not a career politician. His background as a professional race car driver, team owner, and real estate investor set him apart from more traditional candidates. This outsider status became a central pillar of his campaign identity and was prominently featured on his website.

Connolly’s personal story emphasized the idea of the “American Dream.” He framed his life as proof that success in the United States was attainable through hard work, determination, and individual initiative. This narrative was carefully woven into the messaging of the website, positioning him as someone who understood both entrepreneurial risk and economic hardship.

His transition from racing to politics followed a pattern seen in many outsider candidates: dissatisfaction with government policy, economic disruption following the 2008 financial crisis, and a growing belief that established politicians were disconnected from everyday citizens.

Geographic and Political Context

The campaigns promoted on MattConnollyForCongress.com were rooted in Pennsylvania’s congressional districts—initially the 13th District in 2014 and later the 17th District in 2016 following redistricting.

These regions included a mix of urban centers, suburban communities, and rural areas across counties such as Schuylkill, Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, and Northampton. Historically, these areas have been politically competitive but leaned Democratic at the congressional level during Connolly’s campaigns.

Economically, the region had long been tied to coal mining, manufacturing, and heavy industry. By the 2010s, many communities were still grappling with job losses, population decline, and the long-term effects of deindustrialization. Connolly’s messaging—focused on job creation, energy independence, and deregulation—directly targeted these concerns.

Structure and Features of the Website

MattConnollyForCongress.com followed the standard structure of mid-2010s campaign websites but with a distinctly personal tone. Key sections typically included:

• A biography outlining Connolly’s background and achievements
• A “Why I’m Running” section detailing his motivations
• Policy and issue pages covering major topics
• Campaign updates and press coverage
• Calls to action such as volunteering or donating

What distinguished the site was its direct, conversational style. Rather than relying heavily on polished political language, the content often read like a personal letter to voters. This approach reinforced Connolly’s outsider identity and aimed to build trust with constituents who were skeptical of traditional politicians.

Core Political Platform

The policy positions presented on MattConnollyForCongress.com were consistent across both campaigns and aligned closely with mainstream conservative principles of the time, particularly those gaining traction within the Republican Party during the rise of Donald Trump.

Economic Policy

A central theme of Connolly’s platform was economic revitalization. He argued that high corporate taxes and excessive regulation were driving businesses overseas, resulting in job losses within the United States. His proposed solutions included:

• Reducing the corporate tax rate
• Simplifying the tax code
• Encouraging domestic manufacturing
• Promoting free-market competition

This message was particularly resonant in economically struggling areas where manufacturing jobs had declined.

Healthcare

Connolly strongly opposed the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), framing it as government overreach that increased costs and reduced choice. His website advocated for:

• Full repeal of the ACA
• Patient-centered healthcare solutions
• Tort reform to reduce medical costs
• Increased competition in the insurance market

This position aligned with broader Republican efforts at the time to dismantle the ACA.

Energy and Environment

Energy independence was another major pillar of Connolly’s campaign. He promoted increased domestic energy production, including fossil fuels, as a way to lower costs and strengthen national security.

Key proposals included:

• Expanding drilling on U.S. land
• Supporting pipeline projects
• Reducing environmental regulations
• Investing in nuclear energy

His stance on environmental issues was controversial, particularly his skepticism toward mainstream climate change narratives, but it appealed to voters concerned about job losses tied to environmental restrictions.

Social Issues

Connolly’s positions on social issues reflected traditional conservative values:

• Strong support for the Second Amendment
• Opposition to abortion
• Support for traditional marriage
• Advocacy for local control of education

These positions were clearly stated on the website and played a significant role in defining his political identity.

Government and Regulation

A recurring theme throughout the site was opposition to “big government.” Connolly argued that federal overreach was limiting individual freedom and economic growth. His platform emphasized:

• Reducing federal regulations
• Returning power to state and local governments
• Limiting executive authority
• Promoting personal responsibility

Campaign History and Electoral Performance

2014 Campaign

Connolly’s first congressional run in 2014 ended in the Republican primary. He competed against multiple candidates but ultimately lost the nomination. Despite the loss, his campaign gained traction and visibility within the district.

2016 Campaign

In 2016, Connolly returned with a stronger campaign and secured the Republican nomination. His messaging during this cycle closely mirrored national Republican themes, particularly those associated with Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

The general election, however, proved challenging. Connolly faced incumbent Democrat Matt Cartwright, who had established support within the district. Despite an energetic campaign, Connolly was unable to overcome the district’s Democratic lean and lost the election.

Media Coverage and Public Perception

Local media outlets covered Connolly’s campaign, particularly his town hall events and public appearances. He was often described as a straightforward, no-nonsense candidate who spoke candidly about his beliefs.

Some voters and commentators compared him to former Congressman Tim Holden, noting similarities in style and approach. This comparison highlighted Connolly’s appeal to working-class voters, even as he ran as a Republican in a historically Democratic area.

His campaign events sometimes featured unconventional elements, such as themed promotions and local business endorsements, which added a unique and memorable dimension to his public image.

Audience and Support Base

The primary audience for MattConnollyForCongress.com consisted of:

• Conservative voters in northeastern Pennsylvania
• Small business owners and entrepreneurs
• Individuals concerned about government regulation
• Voters dissatisfied with traditional politicians

His messaging resonated strongly with those who felt left behind by economic changes and skeptical of federal policies. However, his firm positions on social issues and environmental policy limited his appeal among moderate and independent voters.

Cultural and Political Significance

MattConnollyForCongress.com is significant not because it represented a winning campaign, but because it reflects a broader moment in American political history. The website embodies several key trends:

• The rise of outsider candidates
• Increasing distrust of government institutions
• The shift toward populist rhetoric within the Republican Party
• The blending of local and national political narratives

Connolly’s campaign mirrored the energy and frustration that fueled the 2016 election cycle. His emphasis on economic nationalism, deregulation, and anti-establishment sentiment placed him firmly within this movement.

Digital Strategy and Communication Style

The website’s communication style was notably direct and personal. Rather than relying heavily on polished branding or complex design, it focused on clear messaging and authenticity.

This approach had both advantages and limitations:

Strengths:

• Built a sense of trust and relatability
• Differentiated Connolly from career politicians
• Made complex issues more accessible

Limitations:

• Lacked the polish of larger campaigns
• May have appeared less professional to some voters
• Limited ability to reach broader audiences

Nevertheless, the site effectively served its purpose as a grassroots campaign tool.

Legacy of the Website

Although Matt Connolly did not win his congressional races, his website remains an important artifact for understanding political communication during the mid-2010s.

It provides insight into:

• How local candidates adapted national political messaging
• The role of personal narrative in campaigning
• The challenges faced by outsider candidates
• The dynamics of competitive congressional districts

For researchers, historians, and political analysts, MattConnollyForCongress.com offers a valuable snapshot of a specific moment in time—one defined by change, uncertainty, and the redefinition of political identity.

 

MattConnollyForCongress.com represents far more than a campaign website. It is a reflection of a candidate’s vision, a community’s concerns, and a nation in transition. Through its content, tone, and structure, it captures the essence of grassroots political engagement during a period of significant transformation in American politics.

While the campaign itself was ultimately unsuccessful, the ideas and themes it promoted continue to resonate within ongoing political discourse. As such, the website stands as both a historical record and a lens through which to examine the evolving nature of political communication in the digital age.

 

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