Jim Matheson
James David Matheson is a business executive and former U.S. Congressman. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the second district of Utah from 2001 to 2013 and its fourth district from 2013 to 2015. While in office, he was Utah's only Democratic congressman, and his district was one of the most Republican-leaning districts to be represented by a Democrat.
During his tenure, Congressman Matheson championed bipartisanship, looking to “reach across the aisle” for common sense solutions to issues. The Deseret News said, “Matheson isn’t the first member from the 2nd District to be more independent than their parties may like.” Of his record, the Salt Lake Tribune said, “it suggests that Matheson is just what he says he is—a Utah Democrat.”
Matheson received his bachelor's degree in government from Harvard College and his MBA from UCLA. After his public service, he joined the law firm Squire Patton Boggs as a lobbyist. In June 2016, he joined National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national service organization that represents the nation's more than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives. He currently serves as CEO.
He was born March 21, 1960, in Salt Lake City, Utah. His wife, Amy, is a pediatrician and they have two sons, William and Harris. His father is former Utah governor Scott Matheson.
Before his election to Congress, he worked in the energy industry for 13 years for several local companies and in his own firm, The Matheson Group.
