Michael Matthews graduated with a degree in business administration and began his career in local government, serving on the Linwood, New Jersey City Council. He later held positions on the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey General Assembly. Matthews transitioned to city governance, first as a member of the Atlantic City City Commission and later as Mayor of Atlantic City. His career involved managing municipal finance and revenue, and he had a notable support base among the city's Jewish, Irish, and Italian communities. Matthews' political career was marked by allegations of ties to organized crime, stemming from his campaign funding sources.

Michael Matthews's political career is marked by an intriguing blend of local governance and controversial funding sources. His support from organized crime figures, particularly during his mayoral tenure, raises questions about the influence of criminal elements on his policy decisions. Matthews's approach to local governance, intertwined with these funding allegations, suggests a highly localized and perhaps calculated strategy to secure regional industrial interests. This unique positioning invites deeper inquiry into how he reconciles his public service with these controversial financial ties.