Matt Hostettler was born in 1986 in Evansville, Indiana, and graduated from North Posey High School in 2004. He earned a B.S. in Management from Purdue University in 2008, laying the groundwork for a career in public service and legislative roles. Hostettler spent several years in professional roles before announcing his intention to run for the Indiana House of Representatives in 2017. He won the Republican primary election for District 64 in 2018 and was subsequently elected. During his tenure, he authored HJR 1 to provide constitutional protection for preborn Hoosiers.

Matt Hostettler presents a distinctive blend of constitutional conservatism and pro-business advocacy. His legislative initiatives, such as HJR 1, reveal a commitment to embedding pro-life principles into state law, while his opposition to business shutdowns suggests an ideological tension between personal freedoms and economic regulations. Hostettler's vocal support for the Second Amendment and fiscal responsibility indicates a rigid adherence to certain foundational values, yet his nuanced stance on business operations hints at a more flexible approach to economic policy. This juxtaposition invites deeper inquiry into how he reconciles these positions.