Why I’m Joining Substack

By Matt Meyer

Delaware is a state of neighbors. It seems like everywhere I go, I run into people I’ve met before. But if I haven’t met you yet, here’s a little bit about me.

I’m Matt Meyer, the 76th Governor of Delaware. My own parents brought me to Delaware when I was just an infant, and I’m now thrilled to be raising a family in the same community where I was raised. I’m a former public school math teacher who started a small business selling recycled footwear in Kenya right out of college. Fifteen years ago, I also served as a U.S. diplomat in Iraq for a year during Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn.

At home, I’m a husband to Lauren, an Emergency Room physician whose dedication to her patients keeps me grounded, and a father to our three boys, who fill our home with energy and laughter. Like all parents, Lauren and I think about the schools they’ll attend, the neighborhoods they’ll grow up in, and the future they’ll inherit. That’s what drives me in this job more than anything. In my free time, you’ll catch me riding my bike or cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Before I became Governor, I served as the County Executive of New Castle County, Delaware’s largest municipal government. I was running our state's largest county in an incredibly divided time for our country. I learned that if we answered your 911 calls quickly and had quality, fast responses, Delawareans were happy. And I learned that if we kept sewage out of your basement and delivered quality, affordable public utilities, Delawareans were happy. A public so divided on so many issues would unite and support leadership that cut costs and delivered efficiently for them.

And we got results. From launching the Hope Center to provide shelter and services for the unhoused, to turning vacant spaces into livable places, to protecting small businesses during COVID and expanding testing, to creating innovative “pay for success” programs to support teachers statewide, I’ve always believed that leadership is about solving problems that matter most in people’s lives.

That’s how I believe every elected official should be. It’s our responsibility to deliver results, not broken promises or empty statements.

As Governor, my focus is on lowering everyday costs and investing in the foundation of Delaware — making sure families can not only get by but get ahead. That means building more affordable housing, so parents don’t have to choose between rent and groceries. It means protecting healthcare access and bringing down the cost of prescription drugs, so no family has to worry about skipping medication to pay the bills. It means strengthening our public schools so every child, including my own three boys, has the chance to thrive. It means giving workers the skills to secure better-paying jobs that can support a family. And it means holding utility companies accountable, so energy bills don’t outpace paychecks.

Amidst a media environment that never stops or slows down, I want to communicate directly with you, my neighbor. So, that’s why I’m joining Substack:

To give you a window into my world. To show you how a former math teacher builds out a multi-billion-dollar state budget. To explain how a former small business owner thinks about economic opportunity. To discuss how a father looks at improving our public education system. To illustrate how the husband of an Emergency Room physician evaluates healthcare policy. And to share how a former diplomat weighs questions of global security.

I also want to hear from you. If I never receive feedback, I’ll never know how I can improve.

Together we can deliver results, opportunity, and compassion to every Delawarean — by investing in the foundation of our state, lowering costs for families, and making sure our government works as hard for you as you work for your family.

I look forward to our conversations.