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Matthew Galloway of South Paris is a veteran and father.
Having been a resident of South Paris since 2023 and a resident of other rural Maine towns, I have felt like rural Maine is often left behind, it is as if Augusta only pays attention to some parts of the state while our more rural communities are overlooked. Although, from what I have heard and seen about Garrett Mason’s recent Rural Maine Revival Tour, he sent a very clear-cut message that all of Maine matters.
Having known Garrett since kindergarten — we went through school K-12, attended the same college, and even drove out to school together for a semester — I can personally attest to his character. He is a very genuine and honest human being who has a strong unwavering moral compass. He is a real go-getter who genuinely puts his state first, and when he says he will get the job done, you can guarantee that’s exactly what he will do. I proudly voted for him during his last run for governor in 2018 because I know he is a man of his word.
He recently stopped here in Oxford County, which from what I have witnessed was nothing but authentic. Starting the day at Daddy O’s Diner, where he met directly with neighbors, may seem simplistic, but it is exactly the type of accessible leadership many of us have been desiring for a long time, someone who is willing to show up, listen, and truly understand all the challenges we face.
As a proud resident of South Paris and a parent of two homeschooled children, I also deeply value his position on education. Garrett truly is a staunch defender of school choice; he recognizes that parents know what is best for their children and that we deserve the freedom to choose the educational paths that work for our families.
Garrett addressed during his tour the major issues that we deal with every day: from dealing with high energy costs, inflated taxes, lack of affordability, and the everyday struggle we face to keep opportunity here in Maine. I find it inspiring to hear him speak with so much optimism when it comes to the future of our beloved state. He believes that rural Maine can really thrive again and that it is worth investing in our region.
Oxford County is a county that is full of hardworking people who deeply care about their community and heritage. We deserve a voice who will speak up for us in Augusta, and because I have had the pleasure of knowing Garrett for such a long time, I can confidently say that he understands that. Seeing how he approached his recent tour, I believe he truly cares about every corner of our state and wants to see all of Maine succeed.
