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Matthew Heilman
View on WikipediaMatthew Heilman (born July 19, 2001) is an American politician who is a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, representing the 7th district. His district comprises part of Burleigh County.
Key Information
Heilman is a member of the far-right faction of the Republican Party,[1][2][3][4] frequently espousing extremist views on immigration, LGBTQ rights, and abortion.[5]
Education and early career
[edit]Heilman graduated from Bismarck State College (BSC) in North Dakota. Prior to his election, he served as the founder and president of the BSC chapter of Turning Point USA, as well as a precinct committeeman for the District 7 Republicans.[6]
Politics
[edit]Elections
[edit]On January 10, 2022, Heilman announced his candidacy in the 2022 election to represent the 7th district in the North Dakota House of Representatives, citing the prevention and elimination of employer-instituted vaccine mandates as his primary motivation.[6] He won the Republican primary with 34.7% of the vote and won the general election unopposed.[7]
Tenure
[edit]In July 2022, Heilman spoke at the far-right State of the Movement conference presented by Vince Dao's organization, American Virtue.[1]
In August 2022, Heilman was revealed to be a member of a Telegram group called the North Dakota Young Republicans which "frequently featured bigoted slurs and white supremacist tropes" in its messages between members, including personal attacks against gay public figures and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.[2]
In December 2022, Heilman re-Tweeted a post calling the Jewish President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the "anti-Christ" for "actively [persecuting] Russian and Ukrainian Christians.[8]
Political positions
[edit]Cryptocurrency
[edit]In January 2025, Heilman and seven other legislators introduced Resolution 3001, which aimed to invest "select state funds in digital assets and precious metals".[9]
Education
[edit]Heilman supported House Bill 1494, which aimed at making school meals more accessible to students and overwhelmingly passed into law.[10]
In March 2023, while speaking in support of a bill, Heilman claimed that "at different universities throughout the state, [students have] had professors telling them that white people should feel guilty about past treatment of slaves or Native Americans".[11]
In January 2025, Heilman sponsored House Bill 1607, which sought to use state funds for private school tuitions. The bill was overwhelmingly rejected by the House, 16 to 71.[12][13]
Gun rights
[edit]Heilman introduced House Bill 1404, a bill to allow university students to carry weapons on campus, stating, "If [students] were carrying, it would be a great deterrent for people who want to commit violent acts against them".[14]
In January 2025, Heilman proposed House Bill 1411, which sought to ban the use of red flag laws.[15]
Immigration
[edit]Heilman opposes sanctuary cities, supporting a bill that would ban them in North Dakota. He stated that this was a proactive measure to prevent what he called "utter disarray" at the southern border from coming to North Dakota.[16]
Heilman has called for an end to birthright citizenship,[17] and has called for supported mass deportations[18]
Religion
[edit]In January 2025, Heilman proposed House Bill 1150, which sought to reinstate portions of North Dakota's blue law to prohibit all retail stores to open on Sunday mornings. In a committee hearing, he said that he did not think people should have to “jump hurdles” to practice their religion and that there are "more important matters in life" than economics.[19] The bill was overwhelmingly rejected in the House, 89 to 4, after receiving extensive criticism.[20]
Personal life
[edit]Heilman is an Eagle Scout.[21]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Lorber, Ben (July 28, 2022). "At American Virtue Summit, Gen-Z White Nationalists and GOP Candidates Plot the Right's Future". Political Research Associates. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Port, Rob (August 19, 2022). "Republican message group posted slurs while candidates, activists, and elected officials looked on". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
- ^ Port, Rob (March 21, 2024). "Politics from the pulpit is alive and well in North Dakota church". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
- ^ Port, Rob (July 15, 2024). "Some North Dakota Republican convention delegates may protest if Trump names Burgum as VP". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
- ^ Mantyla, Kyle (January 22, 2024). "Right Wing Round-Up: The War On Woke". Right Wing Watch. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
- ^ a b Demme, Greg (January 10, 2022). "Matt Heilman Throws Hat into Already Crowded Ring". The Dakotan. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
- ^ "Matthew Heilman". Ballotpedia.
- ^ Port, Rob (April 10, 2023). "It's a travesty what the Trump era is doing to young Republicans". Jamestown Sun. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
- ^ Nelson, Jason (January 10, 2025). "North Dakota Considers Crypto Reserve as State Bitcoin Treasuries Gain Momentum". Decrpyt. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
- ^ Crane, Joel (February 13, 2023). "Bill geared toward more accessible school meals passes ND House". Valley News Live. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ^ Hoverson, Lydia (March 28, 2023). "House Passes Ban on Penalization Based on 'Divisive Concepts'". The Dakotan. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
- ^ "Legislative Research: ND HB1607 | 2025-2026 | 69th Legislative Assembly". LegiScan. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
- ^ Achterling, Michael (February 10, 2025). "Bills look to expand North Dakota student opportunities through savings accounts". North Dakota Monitor. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
- ^ Crane, Joel (January 28, 2023). "ND lawmakers consider bills to expand gun rights". KFYR-TV. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ Baumgarten, April (January 30, 2025). "North Dakota bill would ban red flag laws". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
- ^ Crane, Joel (January 13, 2023). "Bill would outlaw sanctuary cities in North Dakota". KFYR-TV. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
- ^ @MattHeilman7 (October 1, 2023). "End birthright citizenship" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @MattHeilman7 (September 29, 2023). "We need mass deportations" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Haug, Peyton (January 15, 2025). "Lawmakers consider bill to bring back blue laws in North Dakota". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
- ^ Haug, Peyton (January 16, 2025). "'Fraught with inconsistencies': Blue laws bill overwhelmingly struck down in North Dakota House". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
- ^ "Representative Matt Heilman". North Dakota House of Representatives. Retrieved September 7, 2024.