Mathew Pitsch
{{Short description|American politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Mat Pitsch
| state_senate = Arkansas
| district = 8th
| term_start = January 14, 2019
| term_end = January 9, 2023
| predecessor = Frank Glidewell
| successor = Stephanie Flowers
| office1 = Majority Leader of the Arkansas House of Representatives
| term_start1 = January 9, 2017
| term_end1 = March 26, 2018
| predecessor1 = Ken Bragg
| successor1 = Marcus Richmond
| state_house2 = Arkansas
| district2 = 76th
| term_start2 = January 2015
| term_end2 = January 14, 2019
| predecessor2 = Denny Altes
| successor2 = Cindy Crawford
| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date |57 |2021|02|03}}
| birth_place = Buffalo, Wyoming, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = Republican
| spouse = Seanna
| children = 4
| education = Missouri University of Science and Technology (BS, MS)
}}
Mathew W. "Mat" Pitsch (born {{birth based on age as of date |57 |2021|02|03 |noage=1}}){{cite news |last=Wickline |first=Michael R. |date=February 3, 2021 |title=Senator first to get in treasurer '22 race |url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2021/feb/03/senator-first-to-get-in-treasurer-22-race/ |work=Arkansas Democrat-Gazette |location=Little Rock, AR |quote=Pitsch, 57, is executive director of the Western Arkansas Intermodal Authority. }} is an American politician who most recently served as a member of the Arkansas Senate from the 8th district. Elected in November 2018, he was in office from January 14, 2019 to January 9, 2023. Pitsch was a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019.
Early life and education
Pitsch was born in Buffalo, Wyoming and raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in engineering management from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.{{Cite web|title=Mathew Pitsch|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Mathew_Pitsch|access-date=2021-09-25|website=Ballotpedia|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Mat Pitsch's Biography|url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/136708/mat-pitsch|access-date=2021-09-25|website=Vote Smart}} The university honored Pitsch in 2005, including him among the first inductees into its Academy of Engineering Management.{{cite news |url=https://news.mst.edu/2005/04/new_academy_to_honor_outstandi/ |title=New academy to honor outstanding professionals in engineering management |date=April 28, 2005 |work=Missouri University of Science and Technology |access-date=November 13, 2021 }}
Career
Prior to entering politics, Pitsch worked as the executive director of Western Arkansas Intermodal Authority and dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology at the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith. He was elected to the Arkansas Senate in November 2018 and assumed office on January 14, 2019.{{Cite web|title=Mathew Pitsch|url=https://senate.arkansas.gov/senators/mathew-pitsch/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926122909/https://senate.arkansas.gov/senators/mathew-pitsch/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2020|access-date=2021-09-25|website=Arkansas Senate|language=en}}
In February 2021, Pitsch declared his candidacy for treasurer of Arkansas in the 2022 election.{{Cite web|date=February 1, 2021|title=Sen. Mathew Pitsch to run for Arkansas Treasurer|url=https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/politics/senator-mat-pitsch-campaign-arkansas-treasurer/527-94254f74-b4f4-4b77-8742-9b1efc0f949d|access-date=2021-09-25|website=5newsonline.com|language=en-US}} He was endorsed by incumbent treasurer Dennis Milligan.{{cite news |url=https://katv.com/news/local/treasurer-dennis-milligan-endorses-pitsch-over-lowery-in-gop-primary-arkansas-mat-fort-smith-mark-maumelle-republican-auditor-state-election-candidates-financial-gains-public-duty-money-safe-secure-leadership-legacy-experience-talk-business-politics-tbp |title=Treasurer Dennis Milligan endorses Pitsch over Lowery in GOP primary |date=May 4, 2022 |work=KATV |access-date=January 31, 2023 }} In the Republican primary, Pitsch lost the nomination nearly 3:1 to Arkansas House representative Mark Lowery.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/elections/results/race/2022-05-24-other-R-AR-5741/ |title=2022 Arkansas Treasurer Republican Primary Results: Treasurer |newspaper=USA Today |access-date=June 8, 2022 }}
By June 2023, Pitsch became the director of government affairs for the secretary of state's office.{{cite web |url=https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FAssembly%2FMeeting+Attachments%2F000%2F26002%2FExhibit+F+-+ALC+Executive+Report+-+June+15%2C+2023.pdf |title=Report of the Executive Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council |date=June 16, 2023 |access-date=October 5, 2024 |quote=Co-Chair Wardlaw recognized Mr. Mathew Pitsch, Director of Government Affairs, Secretary of State's Office}}
References
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{{s-par|us-ar-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=Ken Bragg}}
{{s-ttl|title=Majority Leader of the Arkansas House of Representatives|years=2017–2018}}
{{s-aft|after=Marcus Richmond}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Pitsch, Mathew}}
Category:Republican Party Arkansas state senators
Category:Missouri University of Science and Technology alumni
Category:People from Buffalo, Wyoming
Category:People from Fort Smith, Arkansas
Category:University of Arkansas–Fort Smith people
Category:21st-century members of the Arkansas General Assembly