# Devon Mathis

Devon John Mathis (born September 21, 1982) is an American politician who served as a member of the California State Assembly from the 33rd district, which is located in Kings County, western Tulare County, and a small part of southern Fresno County. He served as the Caucus Operations Chair for the California State Assembly Republican Caucus.

## Early life and education

Mathis was born in Porterville, California. He earned an Associate of Arts degree in Social Sciences from Porterville College and Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from California State University, Fresno. Mathis graduated from George Washington University earning a Master of Professional Studies in Strategic Public Relations in 2021.

## Career

Before joining the Assembly, Mathis served for 10 years as a Sergeant in the Army National Guard, including two tours in Iraq. During his second tour in Iraq, Mathis was severely injured in a roadside bomb attack, for which he was awarded a Purple Heart.
In 2014, he unexpectedly defeated Woodlake Mayor Rudy Mendoza, a fellow Republican who was better known and had more support from established Republicans. Mendoza sought a rematch in 2016, but Mathis defeated him again in the primary. Mathis, who had no previous political experience, ran on his status as a former Army National Guard sergeant and veterans advocate.
In July 2017 Mathis, along with four other Republican assemblymen, voted "Yes" on AB 398 to extend California's Cap and Trade program.
In 2018, Mathis faced a serious primary challenge, winning only 30% of the vote and narrowly eliminating Republican Visalia Mayor Warren Gubler. But in the November general election, he rallied and defeated Democratic Tulare City Councilman Jose Sigala with 58% of the vote.
Mathis was not seriously challenged in 2020 or in 2022.
He served as the Vice Chair of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture and the Vice Chair of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife. Mathis also served on the Assembly Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Government Organization, the Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs, the Committee on Natural Resources, and the Utilities and Energy Committee.
Mathis successfully authored 17 bills and 15 resolutions that were chaptered into state law; he was also listed as a joint author of 46 other measures and nine other resolutions.
On November 27, 2023, Mathis announced that he would not be a candidate for re-election.

## Personal life

Mathis lives in Porterville with his five children. He married Mistie Davis on October 6, 2023.

## Elections
### 2014 California State Assembly

California's 26th State Assembly district election, 2014 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Rudy Mendoza | 18,648 | 40.3 |
| | Republican | Devon Mathis | 9,497 | 20.5 |
| | Democratic | Carlton Jones | 7,943 | 17.2 |
| | Democratic | Ruben Macareno | 3,755 | 8.1 |
| | Democratic | Derek A. Thomas | 2,872 | 6.2 |
| | Republican | Teresita "Tess" Andres | 2,092 | 4.5 |
| | Republican | Esther Barajas | 1,473 | 3.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 46,280 | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Devon Mathis | 34,683 | 53.6 |
| | Republican | Rudy Mendoza | 29,991 | 46.4 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 64,674 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2016 California State Assembly

California's 26th State Assembly district election, 2016 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Devon Mathis (incumbent) | 28,563 | 42.4 |
| | Democratic | Ruben Macareno | 20,536 | 30.5 |
| | Republican | Rudy Mendoza | 18,216 | 27.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 67,315 | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Devon Mathis (incumbent) | 76,289 | 63.3 |
| | Democratic | Ruben Macareno | 44,205 | 36.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 120,494 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2018 California State Assembly

California's 26th State Assembly district election, 2018 :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Devon Mathis (incumbent) | 19,081 | 30.3 |
| | Democratic | Jose Sigala | 18,794 | 29.8 |
| | Republican | Warren Gubler | 17,650 | 28.0 |
| | Republican | Jack Lavers | 7,473 | 11.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 62,998 | 100.0 |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Devon Mathis (incumbent) | 62,629 | 57.9 |
| | Democratic | Jose Sigala | 45,558 | 42.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 108,187 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2020 California State Assembly

2020 California's 26th State Assembly district election :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Devon Mathis (incumbent) | 49,413 | 61.5% |
| | Democratic | Drew Phelps | 30,981 | 38.5% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 80,394 | 100.0% |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Devon Mathis (incumbent) | 85,005 | 54.9% |
| | Democratic | Drew Phelps | 69,717 | 45.1% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 154,722 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2022 California State Assembly

2022 California's 33rd State Assembly district election :
| Primary election |||||
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Devon Mathis (incumbent) | 30,987 | 64.8% |
| | Democratic | Ruben Macareno | 7,272 | 15.2% |
| | Democratic | Jose Sigala | 9,528 | 19.9% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 47,787 | 100.0% |
| General election |||||
| | Republican | Devon Mathis (incumbent) | 52,436 | 62.5% |
| | Democratic | Jose Sigala | 31,486 | 37.5% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 83,922 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |