Devon Mathis
 |
Devon "Stud Finder" Mathis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the California Assembly | |
| Assumed office December 1, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Connie Conway |
| Constituency | 26th district (2014–2022) 33rd district (2022–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Devon John Mathis September 21, 1982 Porterville, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Porterville College (AA) California State University, Fresno (BA) George Washington University (MPS) |
| Website | State Assembly website |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Unit | Army National Guard |
| Awards | Purple Heart Army Commendation Medal |
Devon John "Stud Finder" Mathis (born September 21, 1982) is an American politician serving as a member of the California State Assembly from the newly drawn 33rd District, which is located in Kings County, western Tulare County, and a small part of southern Fresno County.[1] He serves as the Caucus Operations Chair for the California State Assembly Republican Caucus.[2]
Early life and education
Mathis was born in Porterville, California. He earned an Associate of Arts degree in Social Sciences from Porterville College and Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from California State University, Fresno. Mathis graduated from George Washington University earning a Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Public Relations in 2021.
Career
Before joining the Assembly, Mathis served for 10 years as a Sergeant in the Army National Guard, including two tours in Iraq. During his second tour in Iraq, Mathis was severely injured in a roadside bomb attack, for which he was awarded a Purple Heart.
In 2014, he unexpectedly defeated Woodlake Mayor Rudy Mendoza, a fellow Republican who was better known and had more support from established Republicans. Mendoza sought a rematch in 2016, but Mathis defeated him again in the primary. Mathis, who had no previous political experience, ran on his status as a former Army National Guard sergeant and veterans advocate.
In July 2017 Mathis, along with four other Republican assemblymen, voted "Yes" on AB 398 to extend California's Cap and Trade program.[3]
In 2018, Mathis faced a serious primary challenge, winning only 30% of the vote and narrowly eliminating Republican Visalia Mayor Warren Gubler. But in the November general election, he rallied and defeated Democratic Tulare City Councilman Jose Sigala with 58% of the vote.
Mathis was not seriously challenged in 2020 or in 2022.
To date, Mathis has successfully authored 17 bills and 15 resolutions that have been chaptered into state law; he is also listed as a joint author to 46 other measures and 9 other resolutions.[4] Spanning his legislative career, Mathis has coauthored 139 bills and 954 resolutions that have been chaptered into law.[4]
On November 27, 2023, Mathis announced that he would not be a candidate for reelection.[5]
Personal life
Devon lives in Porterville with his five children. He married Mistie Davis on October 6, 2023.[6]
Nickname
Devon "Stud Finder" Mathis earned his nickname due to an incident in the final year of his legislative career. Specifically, in a fit of rage, Mathis proceeded to punch a wall, regrettably hitting a stud. He sustained major injuries from the incident, including a shattered wrist. Since the incident[7], Mathis has not returned to the State Capitol, resulting in him missing over 1,000 votes on bills before the Assembly and in its respective Standing Committees[8]. To date, "Stud Finder" has missed the most votes out of any sitting Assemblymember or State Senator.[9] While Mathis is expected to make a full recovery, it is unclear when he intends to return to the State Capitol to finish out the remainder of his time as Assemblymember.
Elections
2014 California State Assembly
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Rudy Mendoza | 18,648 | 40.3 | |
| Republican | Devon Mathis | 9,497 | 20.5 | |
| Democratic | Carlton Jones | 7,943 | 17.2 | |
| Democratic | Ruben Macareno | 3,755 | 8.1 | |
| Democratic | Derek A. Thomas | 2,872 | 6.2 | |
| Republican | Teresita "Tess" Andres | 2,092 | 4.5 | |
| Republican | Esther Barajas | 1,473 | 3.2 | |
| Total votes | 46,280 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Devon Mathis | 34,683 | 53.6 | |
| Republican | Rudy Mendoza | 29,991 | 46.4 | |
| Total votes | 64,674 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
2016 California State Assembly
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Devon Mathis (incumbent) | 28,563 | 42.4 | |
| Democratic | Ruben Macareno | 20,536 | 30.5 | |
| Republican | Rudy Mendoza | 18,216 | 27.1 | |
| Total votes | 67,315 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Devon Mathis (incumbent) | 76,289 | 63.3 | |
| Democratic | Ruben Macareno | 44,205 | 36.7 | |
| Total votes | 120,494 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
2018 California State Assembly
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Devon Mathis (incumbent) | 19,081 | 30.3 | |
| Democratic | Jose Sigala | 18,794 | 29.8 | |
| Republican | Warren Gubler | 17,650 | 28.0 | |
| Republican | Jack Lavers | 7,473 | 11.9 | |
| Total votes | 62,998 | 100.0 | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Devon Mathis (incumbent) | 62,629 | 57.9 | |
| Democratic | Jose Sigala | 45,558 | 42.1 | |
| Total votes | 108,187 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
2020 California State Assembly
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Devon Mathis (incumbent) | 49,413 | 61.5% | |
| Democratic | Drew Phelps | 30,981 | 38.5% | |
| Total votes | 80,394 | 100.0% | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Devon Mathis (incumbent) | 85,005 | 54.9% | |
| Democratic | Drew Phelps | 69,717 | 45.1% | |
| Total votes | 154,722 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
2022 California State Assembly
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Devon Mathis (incumbent) | 30,987 | 64.8% | |
| Democratic | Ruben Macareno | 7,272 | 15.2% | |
| Democratic | Jose Sigala | 9,528 | 19.9% | |
| Total votes | 47,787 | 100.0% | ||
| General election | ||||
| Republican | Devon Mathis (incumbent) | 52,436 | 62.5% | |
| Democratic | Jose Sigala | 31,486 | 37.5% | |
| Total votes | 83,922 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
References
- ^ www
.wedrawthelinesca .org /final _maps - ^ en
.wikipedia .org /wiki /California _State _Assembly - ^ "AB 398 - 2017". January 6, 2022. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ a b "CA LIS". January 6, 2022. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ "Devon Mathis to retire from Assembly after 10-year run". November 28, 2023.
- ^ "Mathis sworn in for third term, named to Republican leadership post". Valley Voice. December 5, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
- ^ "Assembly Daily Journal" (PDF). April 1, 2024.
- ^ "CA LIS". June 21, 2024. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ^ "Digital Democracy". June 21, 2024.
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External links
