Matt Woods is a Republican state senator representing District 5 in the Alabama State Senate, which includes all of Walker, Fayette, and Lamar Counties, along with portions of Tuscaloosa and Jefferson Counties. A lifelong resident and small business owner in Walker County, he was elected to the Senate in a special election in June 2025, succeeding former Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed. Notable achievements include authoring the “Alabama Child Protection Act of 2024,” recognized as the strongest child sexual abuse law in the country, sponsoring the “Parents Right to Know” bill for K-12 curriculum transparency, voting for Alabama's largest tax cut by reducing the grocery tax, co-sponsoring elimination of state income tax on overtime pay, and passing a law requiring Alabama colleges to report foreign funding from countries like China. He received the Alabama Republican Party's "Defender of Freedom Award" for protecting children from exploitation and promoting education transparency.

Education and Political Experience

• Graduated from Oakman High School in 2000, where he was a multi-sport athlete, team captain, and class president.
• Served as ambassador and S.G.A. president at Bevill State Community College, graduating in 2002.
• Earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Auburn University in 2004.

Political Experience:
- Appointed by Governor Kay Ivey in 2018 to the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees, focusing on student success initiatives.
- Board member for the Alabama Independent Automobile Dealers Association and chairman of the Walker County Chamber of Commerce; named "Volunteer of the Year" in 2014.
- Elected to the Alabama House of Representatives for District 13 in 2022, serving until 2025.
- Current Senate committees: Banking and Insurance, Confirmations, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Tourism.