Matt Schultz (pastor)
Matt Schultz is an ordained Presbyterian minister, low-income housing activist, and 2026 candidate for U.S. representative for Alaska's at-large congressional district.[1]
Education
Schultz earned an art degree from Westminster College in 1995 and holds a Masters of Divinity and Masters in Youth Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary.[2]
Career
In 2013, Schultz was selected as the Head Pastor of Anchorage First Presbyterian Church.[3] He previously served as director of youth ministries from 1997 to 2001 with his wife.
Schultz worked in Anchorage to advocate for and coordinate services for the homeless, elderly, and those in need. He is a board member of Covenant House in Anchorage, is a member of the steering committee for Christians for Equality, and served as a member of the Anchorage Homelessness Community Leadership Council.[4][5]
After Anchorage's primary homeless shelter closed in 2022, his congregation established a non-profit, First Presbyterian Church LLC. The LLC purchased a hotel for $7.4 million with grant and private partner money, and founded the Guesthouse to offer low-barrier workforce housing for about 200 people.[6][7] The property was later sold at cost to the Anchorage Affordable Housing and Land Trust, to continue to operate as part of a portfolio of affordable housing in Anchorage.[8][9]
Schultz published opinion articles in the Anchorage Daily News[10] and in Newsweek.[11]
Personal life
He lives in Anchorage, Alaska with his wife Reverend Elizabeth Schultz and their three children.
Each Halloween he offers the choice of a potato in addition to candy, which has become a local sensation and new tradition.[12][13]
References
- ^ Samuels, Iris (October 20, 2025). "Anchorage pastor Matt Schulz, a Democrat, will challenge Republican Begich in U.S. House race".
- ^ "Westminster College to Host 164th Baccalaureate and Commencement Ceremonies, May 12". May 7, 2018.
- ^ "Leadership".
- ^ "2018-2021 Homelessness draft plan, leadership team: Mayor's Corner". August 23, 2018.
- ^ "AR No. 2022-222" (PDF). July 25, 2022.
- ^ Treinen, Lex. "As Anchorage phases out its main homeless shelter, providers fear a surge in campers". Alaska Public Media.
- ^ Early, Wesley. "Guest House's purchase means more low-income housing for Anchorage's formerly homeless". Alaska Public Media.
- ^ "OPINION:Moving forward on housing those in need". February 1, 2023.
- ^ "Properties". Affordable Housing and Land Trust.
- ^ "Matt Schultz; Author". Anchorage Daily News.
- ^ Desbordes, Elisa; Rice, Serena; Schultz, Matt (April 18, 2025). "Pastors: Christian Nationalism Is Everything but Christian: Opinion". Newsweek.
- ^ "Potatoes USA Encourages Potatoes Instead Of Halloween Candy". The Shelby Report. October 27, 2022.
- ^ "'Trick-or-Potato!': Turns Out Kids Love a Spud with Their Halloween Candy". October 31, 2022.