Biography
Matt Oleson is the Republican candidate for Iowa House of Representatives District 38 in the November 3, 2026 general election, facing Democrat Brad Magg with no incumbent in the race.[1][2] A longtime Iowa educator, Oleson says in a Ballotpedia survey that he is running on returning schools to the basics, stewarding the state budget and protecting children and Iowa values.[2][3]
Matt Oleson earned a high school diploma from McPherson High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1994 and a graduate degree from Viterbo University in 2003.[2] In a Ballotpedia survey, Oleson said he was born into an Air Force family with Iowa roots, moved to Iowa in 1990 and has lived there since, and that he has taught in Iowa classrooms for 32 years.[3] He said he and his wife have seven children and four grandchildren.[3]
Oleson advanced from the Republican primary for District 38 on June 2, 2026.[2] In the survey he listed three campaign messages: a return to basics in education, with accountability for students and teachers; careful stewardship of the budget, including school choice options; and protecting children and what he called Iowa values.[3]
- 1.Iowa House of Representatives elections, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Matt Oleson · Ballotpedia Reference
- 3.Matt Oleson - Candidate Connection survey (2026) · Ballotpedia Candidate's own words
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Iowa House District 38
Matt Oleson is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Iowa House District 38 as R. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.