Matthew Wolford
Republican | Pennsylvania
Candidate Profile*
Originalist (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Matthew Wolford
Party
Republican
Election Year
2025
Election
PA General School Boards, Judicial & Municipal Races
Race
Commonwealth Court
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Candidate did not provide
WORK & MILITARY
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AFFILIATIONS
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POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
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POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
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ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (2)
Gun Owners of America Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Republican Party
OTHER (1)
*Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry PAC
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (7)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2025); State Republican Party Organizations (2025); David McCormick (2024); Mike Kelly (2020); Janet Anderson (2013)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
Matt Wolford founded a solo law practice, focusing on enviromental and energy law, previously served as Assistant and Regional Counsel at the Pennsylvania DEP and as Special Assistance U.S. Attorney, and represented PIOGA and the Allgheny Forest Alliance in a federal case that allowed certain drilling without U.S. Forest Service permission; he believes a judge should interpret the law as written, follow principles of judicial restraint, protecting personal freedoms and property rights, serve with integrity and fairness. (Mattworlfordforjudge.com)
He described his practice as partly defending clients against government enforcement and regulatory challenges, and partly fighting for private propety rights, including disputes over zoning, easements, and homeowners' associations.(explorejeffersonpa.com)
Wolford litigated the Minard Run II case, which challenged the U.S. Forest Service’s drilling moratorium in the Allegheny National Forest. The court ruled in favor of Wolford’s clients, affirming private property rights by limiting the Forest Service’s authority to require permits and reinforcing that drilling could proceed with proper notice. (Candidate Questionnaire)
Described himself as a judicial conservative. (On The Issues: Matthew Wolford, Republican for PA Commonwealth Court, PCNTV.)
He described his judicial philosophy as one of "judicial restraint," focusing on interpreting statutes and the Constitution according to their original intent rather than legislating from the bench. He said the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court acts as a gatekeeper on government power and should generally protect individual and property rights. (On The Issues: Matthew Wolford, Republican for PA Commonwealth Court, PCNTV)
Authored a chapter in The Law of Oil & Gas in Pennsylvania (on public lands development). (Mattworlfordforjudge.com)
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Was Dobbs v. Jackson rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain.
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I support a right to accelerate ending a human life.
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Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
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RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States.
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2ND AMENDMENT
The right to bear arms is fundamental and must be protected.
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OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Which branch of government do you believe was intended to wield the most authority?
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How should the court address public health and individual freedoms in the time of a public health emergency?
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JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
Which current or past U.S. Supreme Court justice best reflects your judicial philosophy?
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Is there a separation of church and state in the Constitution? Please explain.
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Should courts address threats to religious liberty in the United States? If so, how?
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Was Obergefell v. Hodges rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain.
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Was Bostock v. Clayton County rightly decided under the law? Please explain.
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I agree that “the custody, care and nurture of the child reside first in the parents, whose primary function and freedom include preparation for obligations the state can neither supply nor hinder.” (Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57, 65-66 (2000); quoting Prince v. Massachusetts, 321 U.S. 158, 166 (1944).
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What should a judge do when legislative texts and court precedents dictate different results?
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When should a judge overturn past court decisions?
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When, if ever, should a judge take popular opinion or the social views of the majority into consideration?
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Do you believe the meaning of the Constitution changes over time, absent changes through the amendment process of Article V?
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What do you believe is the single most important quality a judge should possess?
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If you are an incumbent judge, describe a recent instance in which you acted to preserve your judicial independence. If you are an aspiring judge, how do you plan to remain independent if elected to the bench?
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ABOUT YOU
What, if any, church or organizations do you belong to?
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I voted in these primaries and general elections:
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Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
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Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
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Would you describe your judicial philosophy as originalist, living constitutionalist, or something else? Please explain.
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VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
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What is your view of parental rights regarding the upbringing of children, specifically education and sexual "identity"?
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I support "gender identity" as a specially protected class. Please explain.
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What do you believe to be true about the human condition?
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EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT).
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