Representative Matthew Francis McHugh

Matthew Francis “Matt” McHugh (born December 6, 1938) is an American lawyer and former Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New York, serving nine consecutive terms in Congress from January 3, 1975, to January 3, 1993. Over the course of his 18 years in the House of Representatives, McHugh contributed to the legislative process during a significant period in American history, participating in the democratic process and representing the interests of his constituents as a member of the Democratic Party.

McHugh was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 6, 1938. Although born in Philadelphia, he spent most of his adult life in New York. He attended Brooklyn Technical High School in New York City, a specialized public high school known for its rigorous curriculum in science and engineering. He went on to Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1960. Pursuing a legal career, he then attended Villanova University School of Law in Villanova, Pennsylvania, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1963.

After completing his legal education, McHugh entered private law practice in Ithaca, New York. He practiced law there for several years, establishing himself in the local legal community. His public career began in earnest when he was elected district attorney of Tompkins County, New York, serving from 1969 until 1973. In this role, he was responsible for prosecuting criminal cases and overseeing law enforcement matters in the county. Following his tenure as district attorney, McHugh continued his involvement in public affairs as a member of the New York State Democratic Committee from 1973 to 1975, helping to shape party strategy and policy at the state level.

McHugh entered national politics in the wake of the Watergate era. In the 1974 elections, he ran as the Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from a district in upstate New York that had not elected a Democrat since 1915. In the general election, he defeated Republican opponent Al Libous, then mayor of Binghamton, New York. McHugh won the race with 83,562 votes to Libous’s 68,273 votes, becoming the first Democrat in nearly six decades to represent the district. He took office on January 3, 1975, marking the beginning of his long tenure in Congress.

During his service in the House of Representatives from 1975 to 1993, Matthew Francis McHugh was identified with the liberal wing of the Democratic Party and was an avid supporter of civil rights. At the same time, he developed a reputation for bipartisanship and a willingness to work across party lines on legislative issues. Over his nine terms, he served on several key committees, including the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, the Committee on Agriculture, and the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, where he participated in shaping policy on veterans’ benefits, agricultural programs, and natural resources. For the final ten years of his congressional career, he was a member of the House Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, reflecting his interest in social policy and the welfare of younger Americans.

McHugh chose not to seek reelection in 1992 and concluded his congressional service on January 3, 1993. After leaving the House, he transitioned to academic and international work. He joined Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, serving as a vice president, where he drew on his legislative and policy experience to assist the university’s administration and external relations. Subsequently, he entered the field of international development and finance, becoming employed by the World Bank, where he contributed to the institution’s mission of reducing poverty and supporting economic development around the world.

In addition to his work with the World Bank, McHugh has been active in the private sector. He served on the board of directors of FTI Consulting, a free-enterprise advisory services firm that provides consulting in areas such as corporate finance, economic analysis, and strategic communications. In later years, McHugh has resided in Ashburn, Virginia, remaining engaged in public policy and international affairs through his professional and advisory roles.