Matt was born on December 30, 1983, in Marshalltown. His father works for Union Pacific Railroad and his mother runs the family business, Double Barrel Shooters Supply.

Matt received his formal education at home before attending college for gunsmithing in 2004. Matt is a trained gunsmith and occasionally does gunsmithing at the family-owned gun store in Missouri Valley. He also works full-time as a switchman for Union Pacific Railroad.

Matt and Ivelisse were married in 2003 and together have two daughters, Anna and Addy.

Matt joined the United States Marine Corps in 2001 at the age of 17. He proudly served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves as a mechanic and armorer. He served a tour of duty in Iraq in 2005 and was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps Reserves as a Sergeant in 2009.

Matt was first elected to the House in 2006 at the age of 22, becoming the youngest legislator serving in the General Assembly at that time. Additionally, he was chosen by his colleagues to serve as an Assistant Leader being elected to the position three times starting in 2009 through 2013. In 2014, he was elected to serve as the Speaker Pro-Tempore and reelected to this position in 2015.