/matthew.d.dowling

/matthewddowling

@matthewddowling

I fell off the
mountain
halfway up

now where do I
go from here?

In the diverse landscape of Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands, Matthew Dowling's life reflects both
victory and hardship. With deep roots in Pennsylvania, Dowling has committed himself as a State
Representative for three terms, championing his community’s prosperity and rights. Yet, his
public achievements shadow a personal voyage of struggles and redemption.

“I fell off the mountain halfway up, now where do I go from here?” is a touching story,
intertwining with Dowling's homeland’s topography. His narrative shows a life molded by the
region’s ups and downs, revealing contrasts in his conservative political beliefs and his fight with
personal issues. A committed Republican, Dowling advocated for fiscal conservatism, small
business support, and constitutional rights, all while battling alcohol addiction and mental health,
leading to personal losses including a divorce and sparking deep self-reflection.

Dowling's story captivates with its honesty, showcasing his resilience and the challenges that
tested his principles. This memoir, transcending his political achievements, offers an intimate look
into his despair and hope. He shares lessons from his struggles, aiming to guide readers through
their adversities, demonstrating the journey’s continuation even after a fall.

This autobiography invites readers into the relationship between Dowling's public service and
personal quest for recovery, blending tales of resilience and redemption. Political enthusiasts will
find a story not just about a public figure, but a reflection on overcoming life’s deepest
challenges, emphasizing the potential for renewal and ascent despite setbacks.

Book Synopsis

Matthew Dowling was born and raised in these Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. He calls our hills and
mountains “home” – this region is where he’s chosen to build a business and a family. A husband, father, and
former non-profit executive, Matt loves his community and has spent years fighting for the growth and
betterment of Fayette County and Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Matt served as a State Representative for the 51st Legislative District in Fayette and Somerset Counties for
three terms, six years. A strong business background and a commonsense approach inform Matt’s actions. He
realizes that the taxpayers in Pennsylvania are already overburdened – that’s why as a legislator he took up
the cause of holding the line on taxes and spending. He advanced legislation that protects our small
businesses, which represent the backbone of economic vitality in Pennsylvania, and accounts for a significant
share of the state’s economic production and hiring.

During his tenure the 51st Legislative District was made up of parts of Fayette and Somerset counties.

In Fayette County, the district included the city of Uniontown and the townships of Georges, German, Henry
Clay, Nicholson, South Union, Springfield, Springhill, Stewart and Wharton and the boroughs of Fairchance,
Markleysburg, Ohiopyle, Point Marion and Smithfield.

In Somerset County, the district included the townships of Addison, Elk Lick, Lower Turkeyfoot, Summit and
Upper Turkeyfoot and the boroughs of Addison, Confluence, Garrett, Meyersdale, Salisbury and Ursina.

Matt is driven by faith, family, and freedom. He is pro-life, and is dedicated to protecting the constitutional
rights of all Pennsylvanians, including our Second Amendment rights.

In keeping with his passion for serving others, Matt is a former member of the Fayette County Behavioral
Services Boardand a former director of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce. He is Past District Governor of
Rotary, an international organization of professionals committed to humanitarian service locally and globally.
He and his ex-wife founded the annual “Share the Spirit” benefit, which has raised more than $70,000 for
local non-profits in its seven-year history.

As a published author, Matt co-authored the book “Empowered in Pittsburgh” a self-help book for young
professionals starting their careers and navigating adulthood.

He is a graduate of Waynesburg College with a degree in Business Administration, and studied
Communications, Theology, and Philosophy at Franciscan University of Steubenville and is a graduate of
Uniontown Area High School.

Matt has two sons, W. Pierce Dowling and Preston Dowling and resides in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.

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