Matt Schaefer
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 6th district
Assumed office
January 8, 2013
Preceded byLeo Berman
Personal details
Born
Matthew Ray Schaefer

(1976-02-11) February 11, 1976
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJasilyn
Residence(s)Arp, Texas, U.S.
EducationCisco College
Texas Tech University (BS, JD)
Military service
Branch/service United States Navy
UnitUnited States Navy Reserve

Matthew R. Schaefer (born February 11, 1976)[1] is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the Texas House of Representatives for the 6th district. A Republican, Schaefer is assigned to the Licensing and Administrative Procedures committee and the Public Education committee.[2]

He ran without Democratic opposition in his successful bid for a fourth legislative term in the general election held on November 6, 2018. Schaefer defeated Neal Katz, an independent, 37,056 (75.6 percent) to 11,929 (24.4 percent).[3]

Early life and education

Schaefer attended Cisco College in Cisco, Texas, where he played football. Then he attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock,[4] where he obtained a bachelor's degree in finance and a Juris Doctor from Texas Tech University School of Law.[4]

Career

In 1999, he worked in a district office of U.S. Senator Phil Gramm.[5] Upon Gramm's retirement, Schaefer joined the United States Navy Reserve and attended law school at Texas Tech University. He retired from the Navy Reserve as a lieutenant commander (O-4), the equivalent of a major in other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Schaefer subsequently served as counsel to the chairman of the Sunset Advisory Commission, state representative Carl Isett, on bills regarding insurance and transportation.[5]

Texas House of Representatives

Schafer was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in November 2012. In the 2012 primary election, he successfully challenged incumbent representative Leo Berman. Schaeffer unseated Berman in the Republican primary election held on May 29, 2012. He received 11,138 votes, or 57.7 percent, to Berman's 8,172 votes (42.3 percent).[6] Schaefer won renomination for a second term in the March 2014 Republican primary, He defeated Tyler businessman Skip M. Ogle, 9,888, or 61.1%, to 6,304, or 38.3%.[7]

In 2019, following two mass shootings in Texas, Schaefer tweeted his opposition to increasing gun restrictions such as universal background checks, bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazine purchases, and mandatory gun buybacks. Instead, he advocates for prayer and discipline in the home, as well as the right to carry for law-abiding single mothers.[8]

Schaefer supports a ban on Democrats being given committee chairmanships as long as the Republicans hold the majority of seats in the Texas House.[9]

On May 27, 2023, Schaefer voted against impeaching Attorney General Ken Paxton.[10]

In August 2023, Schaefer announced that he would not run for re-election in 2024.[11]

Personal life

Schaefer attends Green Acres Baptist Church, at which he met his wife in 2001.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Find a Lawyer". state Bar of Texas. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Texas House of Representatives : House Committee on Licensing & Administrative Procedures". Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Matt Schaefer defeats Neal Katz in Texas House District 6 race". Tyler Morning Telegraph. November 6, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 "About Matt". Matt for Texas. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  5. 1 2 "Future freshman legislator Schaefer finds his new seat". Tyler Morning Telegraph. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Republican primary election returns, May 29, 2012". enr.sos.state.tx.us. Archived from the original on June 10, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Republican primary election returns, March 4, 2014". team1.sos.state.tx.us. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  8. ↑ Tribune, The Texas; Coronado, Acacia (2019-09-01). "After West Texas shooting, Texas House Rep. says "NO" to gun restrictions". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  9. ↑ Johnson, Brad. The Back Mic: Legislators Opposed to Democratic Chairs Listed, Rep. Moody Quells DA Appointment Rumors, House Rules Discussed, The Texan, December 9, 2022.
  10. ↑ Astudillo, Carla and Chris Essig. Ken Paxton was impeached by the Texas House. See how each representative voted., Texas Tribune, May 27, 2023.
  11. ↑ Svitek, Patrick (August 14, 2023). "State Rep. Matt Schaefer will not seek reelection". The Texas Tribune.
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