Mapleton native, BYU alumnus to head Federal Election Commission

WASHINGTON — Mapleton native Matthew S. Petersen has been elected chairman of the Federal Election Commission for 2010.

Then-President George W. Bush nominated both Petersen and Vice Chairwoman-elect Cynthia L. Bauerly of St. Cloud, Minn., to the posts last year, and the Senate confirmed them on June 24, 2008.

Prior to his appointment to the commission in 2005, Petersen served as Republican chief counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. He previously served as counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on House Administration.

Peterson graduated from BYU with a degree in philosophy in 1996 and also received an associate of arts degree from then-Utah Valley State College. He earned his juris doctorate in 1999 from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was a member of the Virginia Law Review.

— Rodger L. Hardy