Matt Schaefer

Matthew R. Schaefer (born February 11, 1976)[2] is an American attorney and politician who is currently serving as the District 6 representative in the Texas House of Representatives. A Republican, Schaefer is assigned to the Defense & Veterans' Affairs and Urban Affairs committees.[3]

Matt Schaefer
Texas State Representative
for District 6 (Smith County)
Assumed office
January 8, 2013
Preceded byLeo Berman
Personal details
Born
Matthew Ray Schaefer

(1976-02-11) February 11, 1976[1]
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Jasilyn
Residence(s)Arp, Texas, U.S.
Alma mater
OccupationAttorney, politician
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy

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).[4]

Background

Schaefer attended Cisco College in Cisco, Texas, where he played football. Then he attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock,[5] where he obtained a bachelor's degree in finance and a J.D. degree from Texas Tech University School of Law.[5]

Political career

In 1999, he worked on staff in Tyler for U.S. Senator Phil Gramm.[6] Upon Gramm's retirement, Schaefer joined the Navy Reserves and attended law school at Texas Tech University. Schaefer subsequently served as counsel to the chairman of the Sunset Advisory Commission, state representative Carl Isett, on bills regarding insurance and transportation.[6]

Schafer was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in November 2012. In the 2012 primary election, he had 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).[7] Schaefer was unopposed in the November general election.

Political positions

Gun control

In 2019, following two mass shootings in Texas, Schaefer tweeted his vehement opposition to increasing 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]

2014 election

Schaefer won renomination to a second term to the District 6 House seat in the Republican primary, held March 4, 2014. He defeated Tyler businessman Skip M. Ogle, 9,888, or 61.1%, to 6,304, or 38.3%.[9]

Personal life

Schaefer attends Green Acres Baptist Church, at which he met his wife in 2001.[5]

References
  1. "State Rep. Matt Schaefer District 6 (R-Tyler)". Texas Tribune. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  2. "Find a Lawyer". state Bar of Texas. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  3. "House Committee Assignments". Burnt Orange Report. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  4. "Matt Schaefer defeats Neal Katz in Texas House District 6 race". Tyler Morning Telegraph. November 6, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  5. "About Matt". Matt for Texas. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  6. "Future freshman legislator Schaefer finds his new seat". Tyler Morning Telegraph. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  7. "Republican primary election returns, May 29, 2012". enr.sos.state.tx.us. Archived from the original on June 10, 2012. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
  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. "Republican primary election returns, March 4, 2014". team1.sos.state.tx.us. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
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