Biography
Matthew Gagnon is the Chief Executive Officer of the Maine Policy Institute, a position he has held since 2014. As CEO, Matt sets the strategic vision for the organization and is chiefly responsible for MPI’s growth. He also oversees and directs research projects, conducts research, works with state leaders on legislation, and serves as the organization’s chief spokesperson in the media. In his tenure, Matt has overseen significant growth at Maine Policy, quintupling organizational fundraising, opening new competencies in civic engagement, government affairs, and journalism, and has initiated the creation of MPI’s affiliated 501(c)(4), Maine Civic Action.
In addition to his work at MPI, he is also a professional broadcaster, hosting the WGAN Morning News, the highest-rated news talk radio program in Southern Maine. There he has won recognition for hosting an intelligent, thoughtful discussion of current events through open dialogue and reasoned debate with a broad audience of various political ideologies. The Maine Association of Broadcasters has recognized him with the award for “Best Election Coverage” three times, in 2018, 2020, and 2023.
Matt has also served as a columnist for the Bangor Daily News for 14 years, from 2011 through 2025. His BDN columns twice earned him the honor of being named the Maine Press Association’s Best Columnist award winner, in 2018 and 2019. Today his writing is primarily published on Substack.
Prior to his tenure at Maine Policy Institute, Matt spent nearly 10 years in Washington, D.C., working in a variety of political roles. He served as Director of Digital Strategy for the Republican Governors Association for three years, where he was recognized by Campaigns & Elections Magazine as one of the top campaign strategists in the country. He has also spent time working in the United States Senate on Capitol Hill, and previously served as Deputy Director of Digital Strategy at the National Republican Senatorial Committee as well. In Matt’s career, he has been involved with more than 100 high-profile political races in 49 states.
Matt holds an B.A. in Political Science from the University of Maine, and an M.A. in Economics from George Mason University. He and his wife have five children, and live in Yarmouth.