Matthew Mechtel
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Matthew "Matt" Mechtel (November 19, 1968 - February 21, 2008) was the Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in North Dakota, and Chairman of the Northern Crops Council the governing board of the Northern Crops Institute [1]. Mechtel faced and lost to Democratic-NPL incumbent Earl Pomeroy in the 2006 general election.
Biography
Matt Mechtel served as Chairman of the Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Committee, Chairman of the North Dakota Soybean Council. He was also the Chairman of the Northern Crops Council, an oversight committee of the Northern Crops Institute, an industry promotion board representing 4 states in the upper Midwest. During his tenure as the Chairman of the Northern Crops Council, Mechtel testified in front of state legislatures to secure funding and support for the organization, and spoke to many outside groups on issues concerning North Dakota and its economic and business climate.
Matt received several awards for his commitment to agriculture including the 1997 Dupont/ASA Young Leader Award, 1999 and 2000 North Dakota Jaycees Outstanding Young Farmer Award, and the North Dakota Chamber of Commerce Agriculture award for his contributions to the industry within the state.
Matt had also recently started two new business ventures, Rush River Arms, a retail sporting goods business, and Rush River Supply, a retail tire shop.
Personal life
Mechtel lived and farmed in a family operation of approximately 5,000 acres (20 km2) in Northwest Cass County near Page, North Dakota.
Death
On February 21, 2008 Mechtel was found dead by his father in a shop building at his parents' home in rural Page, N.D. The cause of death was an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.[1] Mechtel was 39 years old.