Being a Tea Party member isn’t just about Conservative values for Phil Matthews. The Tea Party is not limited by party affiliation. It is made up of down-to-earth people that love the United States, Matthews said.

Tea Party members strive to uphold the Constitution and believe in less government as well as less taxes. The Moccasin Creek Minutemen are a good example of this, according to Matthews.

Running for the District 2 Wake Commissioner seat this November against incumbent Lindy Brown, Matthews said he is ready to represent Garner and people all across the county with Tea Party values.

“When we win, that will put a new majority on the Board,” he said.

As a Vietnam veteran in the U.S. Army, former Garner Alderman for eight years, volunteer firefighter and first responder and small business owner, Matthews knows the struggles of the average person and genuinely tries to be himself in and out of the spotlight.

“That’s the way [I’ve] always been,” he said.

He said he has tried not to ever let anyone down, but knows how to make sound decisions. Matthews’s wife, Becky, said even though Phil is running on the Republican ticket, he will vote in the best interest of everyone.

“You look after people and they remember it,” Matthews said.

Big issues

Wake County’s biggest concern right now, Matthews said, concerns F.U.D. (fear, uncertainty and doubt). With the County growing rapidly, jobs scare and taxes going up, he said it’s valid for voters to be skeptical of candidates.

He hopes to contribute to solutions, especially when it comes to implementing community schools. The current County Commission doesn’t support the majority view of the School Board. However, he sees the chance to cut costs through less bussing and to increase parental involvement.

“We need to give them an opportunity to follow through,” he said. “We’ve got to work together for the good of the county and for the good of the kids.”

Matthews said he would not support any new taxes because he understands the strains put on people, especially those on fixed incomes. He also would support the birth of small businesses.

A family affair

The decision to run for office wasn’t one Matthews made alone. After convincing himself he needed to run, Matthews talked with his wife and daughters.

He even spoke to his grandchildren about how much time it would require.

Everyone has jumped in to help. His daughter, Ashley, even campaigned for Matthews in Nashville when she met a family from the Raleigh area.

“We’ve got our arms reaching out all over,” Matthews said.

Everyone plans to work the polls on Election Day as well.

“We are cranked up and fired up,” Matthews said.