Matthew Ritter

Matthew Ritter is an American politician and attorney serving as the Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives. A member of the Democratic Party, he represents the 1st Assembly District, which encompasses parts of Hartford and West Hartford. First elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 2010, Ritter was elected by his colleagues to serve as Speaker of the House in 2013, succeeding Christopher G. Donovan. He is known for his work on state budgets, healthcare policy, and bipartisan collaboration within the Connecticut General Assembly.

Early life and education

Matthew Ritter was born on October 24, 1979, in Hartford, Connecticut, into a family with a deep history in Connecticut politics. His father, Thomas Ritter, served as Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1993 to 1998, and his mother, Patricia Ritter, was a member of the Hartford City Council. He attended Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford before pursuing higher education. Ritter earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Trinity College in Hartford. He subsequently received his Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law, where he was an editor for the Connecticut Law Review.

Political career

Ritter's political career began with his election to the Connecticut House of Representatives in November 2010. He succeeded Barnaby Horton in representing the 1st District. Following the 2012 election, the House Democratic caucus selected him to become the next Speaker of the House, a position he assumed in January 2013. As Speaker, Ritter presides over the chamber, appoints committee chairs and members, and sets the legislative agenda in collaboration with leaders like the House Majority Leader and the Senate President Pro Tempore. He has worked closely with governors including Dannel Malloy and Ned Lamont, as well as Republican leaders such as Themis Klarides and Vincent Candelora.

Legislative work and policy positions

A key architect of multiple state budgets, Ritter has focused on fiscal stability, often negotiating complex agreements with the Governor of Connecticut and the Connecticut Senate. He has been a leading advocate for expanding access to healthcare, supporting measures like the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority and the expansion of HUSKY Health, Connecticut's Medicaid program. Ritter played a significant role in the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Connecticut, helping to craft emergency relief legislation. He has also championed criminal justice reforms, including the 2020 police accountability bill passed in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, and has supported significant investments in Hartford through projects like Downtown North.

Electoral history

Ritter was first elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 2010, defeating Republican candidate John H. Topping. He won re-election in 2012 against John H. Topping again. In the 2014 election, he was unopposed. He faced Republican challenger Michael T. McGarry in 2016 and won decisively. Ritter ran unopposed in the 2018 general election. In 2020, he defeated Republican candidate Michael T. McGarry once more. He was again unopposed in the 2022 election, securing his seventh term in the Connecticut General Assembly.

Personal life

Ritter resides in Hartford with his wife, Nicole Ritter, and their two children. He is a practicing attorney and a partner at the Hartford-based law firm Shipman & Goodwin LLP, where he focuses on government relations and administrative law. Active in the community, he serves on the board of directors for several local organizations, including the Connecticut Children's Medical Center and the Mark Twain House & Museum. In his spare time, he is an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and the University of Connecticut basketball teams.

Category:1979 births Category:Living people Category:Speakers of the Connecticut House of Representatives Category:Connecticut Democrats Category:People from Hartford, Connecticut Category:Trinity College (Connecticut) alumni Category:University of Connecticut School of Law alumni