Matthew Barton was elected as District Attorney-Elect of the 23rd Judicial District in August 2023. He is the youngest and first-ever Republican elected District Attorney in the county’s history.

Matthew Barton grew up in Petal, Mississippi in a blue-collar family. His mother was a director at Tupperware and his father owned the small, family business – Barton Fence Company – where Matthew worked growing up. 

After attending public school, Matthew attended Pearl River Community College and Warner University, where he studied Business Administration.  He holds a law degree from Ole Miss Law, where he graduated Cum Laude and received the interviewing and counseling award.

In 2011, Matthew married his high school sweetheart, Megan.  After graduating from Ole Miss Law in 2015, they moved to DeSoto County where Matthew started a law firm and Megan continued working at the Desoto County Schools as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. 

During law school, Matthew served as an intern in the DeSoto County District Attorney’s Office where he presented cases to grand jury, tried cases to verdict, and performed all functions of a practicing attorney.  He has served as a prosecutor for the City of Southaven and the City of Horn Lake and now serves as a special prosecutor for Southaven, Horn Lake, and DeSoto County Justice Courts – where he’s established a strict, tough on crime reputation.

Mathew is a veteran attorney with experience in more than 40 courts across Mississippi. He is a member of the Federalist Society, a conservative legal association, an enhanced conceal carry permit holder, Krewe of Hernando member, NRA member, and donates his time serving as a pro bono attorney to Veterans every year. 

Today, Matthew, his wife Megan, and their daughter Eleanor live in Hernando where Matthew owns his private law firm and Megan practices at Southern Pediatric Therapy.