Matt Caldwell is a 7th generation Florida native, whose family came to Micanopy in 1826. Matt was born in Gainesville but grew up in Lee County where he met his wife, Yvonne. They live there today, where they raise their daughter, Ava. In his private life, Matt enjoys the outdoor lifestyle that Florida offers: fishing, golfing, kayaking, hunting, and camping, to name a few. He is a deacon in his local church and spends time as a small businessman focused on his timber and cattle operations.

After attending local schools in Lee County, Matt received his Associate’s Degree from Edison College and his Bachelor of Arts in History from Florida Gulf Coast University. He is currently pursuing a Master’s of Science in Geomatics from the University of Florida. While an undergraduate, he began his career as a real estate appraiser, ultimately joining the firm of Maxwell, Hendry, Simmons in 2004, where he remains of counsel. He has attained the highest state certification in his field and is qualified as an expert witness in multiple state and federal courts.

Matt was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2010-2018. In 2018, Matt was the Republican nominee for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. In 2020, Matt was elected to serve as the Lee County Property Appraiser and Republican State Committeeman.