I want to thank everyone so much who supported my candidacy for California State Assembly for the 72nd District.

I have decided not to run for the California State Assembly this year and I will instead plan to run for re-election to the Huntington Beach City Council.

I endorse Los Alamitos Mayor Troy Edgar and ask you to please support him as well. I am confident that he will hold the line against higher taxes and instead fight to reduce spending to balance the state budget.

Under current law, Edgar will be eligible to serve up to three terms to 2018 in the California State Assembly. Under city term limits, I am eligible to serve to 2018, rotating in as mayor of the City of Huntington Beach during my second term. Under current circumstances, I plan to run for California State Assembly in 2018.

I am very fortunate to serve on the Huntington Beach City Council and I have lived here since moving from neighboring Westminster at age 14. With a population of 189,992 according to the 2010 US Census, Huntington Beach is the 23rd largest municipality in the State of California and the 4th largest in the County of Orange. There are more ballots cast (74,041) within the City of Huntington Beach than any other city in Orange County and Huntington Beach is second only to Anaheim in total registered voters (128,824). The City of Huntington Beach is home to Orange County’s largest pier and includes Huntington State Beach, Huntington City Beach, Bolsa Chica State Beach and Sunset Beach. Huntington Beach is host to the Surf City Marathon, the Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade and world famous surfing competitions including the US Open of Surfing.

Prior to my service on the Huntington Beach City Council, I was elected to three terms on the Huntington Beach Union High School District (HBUHSD) starting in 1998. The HBUHSD serves the secondary education needs of the Orange County communities of Huntington Beach, most of Westminster, most of Fountain Valley, a portion of Garden Grove, Midway City and Sunset Beach.

Again, thank you so much to everyone who supported me. Your support of my commitment to the voters means so much to me and I will always honor and value your confidence in me.

Your Friend,

Matthew Harper