Luis Mata is a community advocate, an immigrant, and a proud Tennessean.

He was born in Mexico from a family that understands the true meaning of hard work, resilience, and unity - values instilled in him by his mother at an early age when 20 years ago they made the difficult, yet courageous, decision to leave everything they knew and loved behind for an opportunity at a better life right here in Tennessee. As a single, immigrant mother, she worked day and night in order to make a life for herself and their family - a story all too familiar to Tennesseans. She waited tables, cleaned houses, and was a seamstress. She taught Luis that when you want change, you don't wait for it, you fight for it.

Luis is a proud product of public schools. Growing up, he experienced how working people are often left out and left behind. Working hard every day living paycheck to paycheck. He also witnessed the power in community and unifying over shared values to ensure that our government truly works for all of us.

Before becoming a US Citizen, unjust state laws tried to deny him the opportunity to access college due to his immigration status. So, he became a leader in the fight for justice and for a future that one day can and will exist. Luis worked three jobs, including being an advocate for victims of domestic violence with the Office of Immigration Services, in order to put himself through college.

During his time at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, he co-founded Students for Migrant Justice, a student organization that serves as a political home for immigrant students in Knoxville. He was awarded the prestigious Beacon of Change award, the highest student award conferred by students, for his commitment to creating change and fighting for justice. He graduated from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville as a first-generation graduate with his B.A. in Political Science.

Shortly after graduation, he took on the role as Policy Coordinator for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, advancing and protecting immigrant and refugee rights at the local, state, and national level. He helped lead their bipartisan campaign to pass the first pro-immigrant piece of legislation at the TN State Legislature expanding access to professional licenses.

Luis has spent his life as an advocate, fighting for the future we deserve. He’s running for TN State Representative because it’s time for representation that puts people over politics. He would become Tennessee’s first-ever Latino immigrant State Legislator - but he’s not running to make history, he’s running to make change and to continue working tirelessly for everyday Tennesseans in District 49 and all across our state. This moment demands leaders that will fight for the real issues facing our communities, for our freedoms, and for our future. Together, let's build a Tennessee where we can all belong and thrive.