Incumbent Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania has received a lot of support during his re-election campaign. His most heartfelt endorsement came from his husband, father and former Navy pilot, who has been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for more than a decade.
“As most of you know, I took a break from social media because it was too challenging to use on my current device. An issue finally became so important to me that I painstakingly typed this message word for word,” Matt Bellina wrote in a Nov. 1 social media post. “This is in no way a political post. This is a very personal request that you consider voting for my very dear friend Brian Fitzpatrick.”
After being diagnosed with ALS in 2014, Matt Bellina has been courageously battling ALS with the support of his wife, Caitlin. Matt Bellina was ineligible to participate in any FDA-registered clinical drug trials when he was diagnosed and became an advocate for the Right to Try Act, which allows terminally ill patients to take “unapproved investigational drugs” after exhausting other treatment options. The bill, which includes Bellina’s name in the title, was introduced and co-sponsored by Fitzpatrick. With bipartisan support, the bill became law in May 2018.
Matt and his wife worked closely with ALS Caucus Co-Chair Fitzpatrick to advocate for the bill’s passage.
“He is a champion of the bill,” Matt told The Daily Telegraph.
Today I am extremely privileged to celebrate the launch of the ground-breaking national platform created by my friend and partner, the extraordinary Matt Bellina from Northampton.
Matt, a Navy veteran, father of three, and ALS warrior, created this first-of-its-kind space to connect, empower, and uplift everyone affected by ALS. While he was unable to be here in person today, his incredible mother Deb represented him with strength, love and an equally unwavering commitment to this mission.
Matt’s courageous advocacy helped create my Right to Try Act (now law) – giving terminally ill patients hope when time is of the essence. Now, he’s once again turning his struggle into something that inspires and supports others.
As co-chair of the Bipartisan ALS Caucus, I am proud to stand with Matt and his family in this fight. We will work together to give the ALS community the answers, treatments, and future it deserves.
— Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick 🇺🇸 (@RepBrianFitz) June 21, 2025
“He always opened his office to us and our kids. We had a six-month-old, a three-year-old and a five-year-old at the time. So to have them all in his office — it was a lot,” Caitlin said. “Everyone in his office was very welcoming to us and told us, ‘When you’re in Washington, make this your home.'”
The Fitzpatrick and Bellina families continue to work together to fight ALS.
“Today, I’m extremely honored to celebrate the launch of ALS.community, a groundbreaking national platform created by my friend and partner, the brilliant Matt Bellina of Northampton. Matt is a Navy veteran, father of three, and ALS warrior who created this historically elevated and unprecedented space to connect, empower, and connect everyone on the 20th,” the post reads. “While he couldn’t be here in person today, his incredible mother, Deb, represented him with strength, love and an equally unwavering commitment to this mission. Matt’s courageous advocacy helped craft my Right to Try Act, which is now law – giving terminally ill patients hope when time is of the essence. Now, through ALS.community, he is once again turning his fight into something that inspires and supports others.”
Fitzpatrick is running against Democrat Bob Harvey in Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District.
“I know Brian Fitzpatrick personally. I know his character. I know what kind of person he is without cameras, reporters, and access to political advantage. I love him. That is far more important to me than whether he meets every requirement of either political party,” Bellina wrote on social media. “No matter where we stand politically, I hope I hope we see the person he wants us to be.
Brian Fitzpatrick’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.