{{short description|American politician|bot=PearBOT 5}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Matthew Ahearn | image = | alt = | caption = | district = 38th | state_assembly = New Jersey | majority = | term_start = January 8, 2002 | term_end = January 13, 2004 | alongside = Rose Marie Heck | predecessor = Guy Talarico | successor = Robert M. Gordon<br>Joan Voss | birth_date = | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | spouse = | party = Green (since 2003) | other_party = Democratic (prior to 2003) | relations = | children = | alma_mater = Rutgers University (BA)<br>Hofstra University (JD) | occupation = Attorney | profession = | signature = | signature_alt = | website = | footnotes = }}
'''Matthew Ahearn''' is an American politician who served in the New Jersey General Assembly, representing the 38th legislative district from 2002 to 2004. Ahearn represented a district which covers an area between the Passaic and Hudson Rivers in suburban Bergen County. Ahearn was elected to the Assembly as a Democrat in 2002, but switched his registration to the Green Party in January 2003, while in office after a much-publicized feud with Bergen County Democratic Organization chief Joe Ferriero.<ref name=GPNJ2003Ahearn>{{cite web |title=Green Assemblyman Matt Ahearn Vows Fight For Campaign Finance Reform |publisher=Green Party of New Jersey |date=January 26, 2003 |url=http://www.gpnj.org/press%20releases/03_01_26%20Ahearn.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928002329/http://www.gpnj.org/press%20releases/03_01_26%20Ahearn.htm |quote=State Assemblyman Matthew Ahearn (G - Fair Lawn), who left the Democrats for the Green Party last week, vowed today to battle for campaign finance reform, a key Green issue, when he returns to the legislature.}}</ref><ref>Harrington, Sharon D. [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-6243232_ITM "Pay to play remains alive, well in New Jersey on county level"], ''The Record'', September 25, 2004. Accessed March 27, 2008.</ref> Ahearn ran as the Green Party candidate in 2003 and lost to Robert M. Gordon and Joan Voss, the Democratic candidates for office.<ref>Kornacki, Steve. [http://www.nownj.org/njnews/2003/1105%20Huge%20win%20for%20McGreevey.htm In huge win for McGreevey, Democrats win control of Senate, gain six Assembly seats] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051103153326/http://www.nownj.org/njNews/2003/1105%20Huge%20win%20for%20McGreevey.htm |date=2005-11-03 }}, National Organization for Women New Jersey, November 5, 2003. Accessed July 27, 2007. "former Fair Lawn Mayor Robert Gordon and Fort Lee Councilwoman Joan Voss won the 38th districts seats of Heck and Green Party Assemblyman Matt Ahearn."</ref>
== Education == Ahearn graduated with a B.A. from Rutgers University in Political Science and a J.D. from the Hofstra University School of Law.
== Career == Ahearn served in the Assembly on the Military & Veterans' Affairs Committee (as Vice Chair) and the Regulated Professions & Independent Authorities Committee.<ref name=NJLEG>[https://web.archive.org/web/20031013073929/http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/ahearn.asp Assemblyman Ahearn's Government Website], New Jersey Legislature, from the Internet Archive, archived October 13, 2003. Accessed July 27, 2007.</ref>
Ahearn served as the Deputy Mayor of Fair Lawn from 1998–2000 and on the Fair Lawn Planning Board during that same period.<ref name=NJLEG/>
He served in the United States Army from 1981–1985, and in the United States Army Reserves/National Guard from 1985–1992, attaining the rank of captain.<ref name=NJLEG/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20031013073929/http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/ahearn.asp Assemblyman Ahearn's Government Website], from the Internet Archive, archived October 13, 2003
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ahearn, Matt}} Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:Rutgers University alumni Category:Democratic Party members of the New Jersey General Assembly Category:People from Fair Lawn, New Jersey Category:New Jersey Greens Category:American democracy activists Category:Anti-corporate activists Category:Maurice A. Deane School of Law alumni Category:Green Party of the United States officeholders Category:Hofstra University alumni Category:21st-century members of the New Jersey Legislature Category:20th-century New Jersey politicians