Matthew Koch

Matthew Ryan Koch (born May 11, 1978) is an American politician serving as a Republican member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from Kentucky's 72nd House district. His district includes Bourbon, Fleming, and Nicholas County.

Background Koch was born in Paris, Kentucky, and graduated from Bourbon County High School. He went on to attend the Kentucky Horseshoeing School, before earning a Bachelor of Science in agriculture from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. Koch graduated with no student debt, and paid his way through college by working as a farrier.

In 2000, Koch served in the United States Marine Corps, and was deployed to Kosovo and Afghanistan. In 2004, he retired with the rank of captain.

In 2004, Koch began his own thoroughbred operation out of his parents' farm while still working as a farrier. In 2005, he co-founded Shawhan Place, a horse breeding and boarding farm located in Paris which he has co-owned ever since. He also serves as a board member of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association. Koch was unopposed in the 2018 Republican primary 2020 Koch was unopposed in the 2020 Republican primary 2022 Koch was unopposed in both the 2022 Republican primary 2024 Koch was unopposed in both the 2024 Republican primary and the 2024 Kentucky House of Representatives election, winning the latter with 15,453 votes.