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Matthew Shepherd

b. 1976

American politician

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About Matthew Shepherd

Born 1976. Matthew Shepherd is an American lawyer and politician.

Matthew Joseph Shepherd (born February 21, 1976) is an American attorney from his native El Dorado, Arkansas, who is a Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives for District 6, which includes western Union County. He was elected in the 2010, 2012, and 2014 legislative races.

In 2010, Shepherd claimed the District 6 seat by defeating Democrat Ken Bridges, 4,780 to 2,074. In 2012, still in the reorganized District 6, Shepherd won a second term, defeating Independent Peter Cyphers, 10,051 to 2,149.

Upon the resignation of Speaker Jeremy Gillam in June 2018, he was elected Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives for the 91st General Assembly. He was re-elected in January 2019 to serve as Speaker of the 92nd General Assembly and again in May 2020 for the 93rd General Assembly.

Biography Shepherd was born to Bobbi (née Beeson) and Bobby Shepherd, a federal circuit judge on the Eighth Circuit. Shepherd graduated in 1998 from the Southern Baptist-affiliated Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, South Arkansas, his parents' alma mater. In 2001, he received the Juris Doctor degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law at Fayetteville. Shepherd is a partner at the El Dorado-based law firm Shepherd & Shepherd, P.A., practicing alongside his brother John T. Shepherd.

Personal life Shepherd is married to his wife Alie (née Hill), who is also an Ouachita Baptist graduate ('99). They live in El Dorado with their three teenage children, Eli, Mary Kate, and Libby. They are members of First Baptist Church, where Shepherd is a deacon and Sunday school teacher. Shepherd is also a board member of the Arkansas Baptist Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado, and El Dorado Fifty for the Future and serves as president of the Murphy USA Classic football game.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Ouachita Baptist University, University of Arkansas School of Law, University of Arkansas
Positions held
Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, Speaker of the Arkansas House of Representatives
Also known as
Matthew Joseph Shepherd, Matthew J. Shepherd

People in Matthew Shepherd's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Matthew Shepherd's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Matthew Shepherd?

American politician

When was Matthew Shepherd born?

Matthew Shepherd was born on 21 February 1976 in El Dorado.

What is Matthew Shepherd's occupation?

Matthew Shepherd is a lawyer and politician.

What nationality is Matthew Shepherd?

Matthew Shepherd is American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Matthew Shepherd

· Wikidata: Q6791218

· DBpedia: Matthew Shepherd

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Matthew Shepherd. https://biography.guide/matthew-shepherd/

MLA: "Matthew Shepherd." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/matthew-shepherd/.

Chicago: "Matthew Shepherd." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/matthew-shepherd/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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