The Toby Gribben Show

Matthew Dowling was born and raised in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. He calls our hills and mountains “home” – this region is where he’s chosen to build a business and a family. A husband, father, and former non-profit executive, Matt loves his community and has spent years fighting for the growth and betterment of Fayette County and Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Matt served as a State Representative for the 51st Legislative District in Fayette and Somerset Counties for three terms, six years. A strong business background and a commonsense approach inform Matt’s actions. He realizes that the taxpayers in Pennsylvania are already overburdened – that’s why as a legislator he took up the cause of holding the line on taxes and spending. He advanced legislation that protects our small businesses, which represent the backbone of economic vitality in Pennsylvania, and accounts for a significant share of the state’s economic production and hiring. 

During his tenure, the 51st Legislative District was made up of parts of Fayette and Somerset counties. In Fayette County, the district includes the city of Uniontown and the townships of Georges, German, Henry Clay, Nicholson, South Union, Springfield, Springhill, Stewart and Wharton and the boroughs of Fairchance, Markleysburg, Ohiopyle, Point Marion and Smithfield. 

In Somerset County, the district included the townships of Addison, Elk Lick, Lower Turkeyfoot, Summit and Upper Turkeyfoot and the boroughs of Addison, Confluence, Garrett, Meyersdale, Salisbury and Ursina. 

Matt is driven by faith, family, and freedom. He is pro-life and is dedicated to protecting the constitutional rights of all Pennsylvanians, including the Second Amendment rights. 

In keeping with his passion for serving others, Matt is a former member of the Fayette County Behavioral Services Board and a former director of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce. He is the Past District Governor of Rotary, an international organization of professionals committed to humanitarian service locally and globally. He and his wife Rebecca founded the annual “Share the Spirit” benefit, which has raised more than $70,000 for local non-profits in its seven-year history. 

As a published author, Matt co-authored the book “Empowered in Pittsburgh” a self-help book for young professionals starting their careers and navigating adulthood. He is working on a new book titled “I fell off the mountain halfway up, now where do I go from here?” a memoir of his time in office.

He is a graduate of Waynesburg College with a degree in Business Administration, studied Communications, Theology, and Philosophy at the Franciscan University of Steubenville and is a graduate of Uniontown Area High School.