Matt Schaefer

American lawyer, Naval officer, and politician
Matt Schaefer
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 6th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 8, 2013
Preceded byLeo Berman
Personal details
Born
Matthew Ray Schaefer

(1976-02-11) February 11, 1976 (age 48)
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. ^ a b c "About Matt". Matt for Texas. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  5. ^ a b "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.

External links

  • Campaign website
  • Official Texas House of Representatives website
  • Matt Schaefer at the Texas Tribune
  • Profile at Vote Smart
Texas House of Representatives
Preceded by Texas State Representative for
District 6 (Smith County)
2013– 		Succeeded by
  • v
  • t
  • e
88th Texas Legislature (2023)
Speaker of the House
Dade Phelan (R)
Speaker pro tempore
Charlie Geren (R)
  1. ▌Gary VanDeaver (R)
  2. ▌Jill Dutton (R)
  3. ▌Cecil Bell Jr. (R)
  4. ▌Keith Bell (R)
  5. ▌Cole Hefner (R)
  6. ▌Matt Schaefer (R)
  7. ▌Jay Dean (R)
  8. ▌Cody Harris (R)
  9. ▌Trent Ashby (R)
  10. ▌Brian Harrison (R)
  11. ▌Travis Clardy (R)
  12. ▌Kyle Kacal (R)
  13. ▌Angelia Orr (R)
  14. ▌John N. Raney (R)
  15. ▌Steve Toth (R)
  16. ▌Will Metcalf (R)
  17. ▌Stan Gerdes (R)
  18. ▌Ernest Bailes (R)
  19. ▌Ellen Troxclair (R)
  20. ▌Terry Wilson (R)
  21. ▌Dade Phelan (R)
  22. ▌Christian Manuel (D)
  23. ▌Terri Leo-Wilson (R)
  24. ▌Greg Bonnen (R)
  25. ▌Cody Vasut (R)
  26. ▌Jacey Jetton (R)
  27. ▌Ron Reynolds (D)
  28. ▌Gary Gates (R)
  29. ▌Ed Thompson (R)
  30. ▌Geanie Morrison (R)
  31. ▌Ryan Guillen (R)
  32. ▌Todd Ames Hunter (R)
  33. ▌Justin Holland (R)
  34. ▌Abel Herrero (D)
  35. ▌Oscar Longoria (D)
  36. ▌Sergio Muñoz Jr. (D)
  37. ▌Janie Lopez (R)
  38. ▌Erin Gamez (D)
  39. ▌Armando Martinez (D)
  40. ▌Terry Canales (D)
  41. ▌Robert Guerra (D)
  42. ▌Richard Raymond (D)
  43. ▌J. M. Lozano (R)
  44. ▌John Kuempel (R)
  45. ▌Erin Zwiener (D)
  46. ▌Sheryl Cole (D)
  47. ▌Vikki Goodwin (D)
  48. ▌Donna Howard (D)
  49. ▌Gina Hinojosa (D)
  50. ▌James Talarico (D)
  51. ▌Lulu Flores (D)
  52. ▌Caroline Harris (R)
  53. ▌Andrew Murr (R)
  54. ▌Brad Buckley (R)
  55. ▌Hugh Shine (R)
  56. ▌Charles Anderson (R)
  57. ▌Richard Hayes (R)
  58. ▌DeWayne Burns (R)
  59. ▌Shelby Slawson (R)
  60. ▌Glenn Rogers (R)
  61. ▌Frederick Frazier (R)
  62. ▌Reggie Smith (R)
  63. ▌Ben Bumgarner (R)
  64. ▌Lynn Stucky (R)
  65. ▌Kronda Thimesch (R)
  66. ▌Matt Shaheen (R)
  67. ▌Jeff Leach (R)
  68. ▌David Spiller (R)
  69. ▌James Frank (R)
  70. ▌Mihaela Plesa (D)
  71. ▌Stan Lambert (R)
  72. ▌Drew Darby (R)
  73. ▌Carrie Isaac (R)
  74. ▌Eddie Morales (D)
  75. ▌Mary González (D)
  76. ▌Suleman Lalani (D)
  77. ▌Evelina Ortega (D)
  78. ▌Joe Moody (D)
  79. ▌Claudia Ordaz (D)
  80. ▌Tracy King (D)
  81. ▌Brooks Landgraf (R)
  82. ▌Tom Craddick (R)
  83. ▌Dustin Burrows (R)
  84. ▌Carl Tepper (R)
  85. ▌Stan Kitzman (R)
  86. ▌John T. Smithee (R)
  87. ▌Four Price (R)
  88. ▌Ken King (R)
  89. ▌Candy Noble (R)
  90. ▌Ramon Romero Jr. (D)
  91. ▌Stephanie Klick (R)
  92. ▌Salman Bhojani (D)
  93. ▌Nate Schatzline (R)
  94. ▌Tony Tinderholt (R)
  95. ▌Nicole Collier (D)
  96. ▌David Cook (R)
  97. ▌Craig Goldman (R)
  98. ▌Giovanni Capriglione (R)
  99. ▌Charlie Geren (R)
  100. ▌Venton Jones (D)
  101. ▌Chris Turner (D)
  102. ▌Ana-Maria Ramos (D)
  103. ▌Rafael Anchía (D)
  104. ▌Jessica González (D)
  105. ▌Terry Meza (D)
  106. ▌Jared Patterson (R)
  107. ▌Victoria Neave (D)
  108. ▌Morgan Meyer (R)
  109. ▌Carl O. Sherman (D)
  110. ▌Toni Rose (D)
  111. ▌Yvonne Davis (D)
  112. ▌Angie Chen Button (R)
  113. ▌Rhetta Bowers (D)
  114. ▌John Bryant (D)
  115. ▌Julie Johnson (D)
  116. ▌Trey Martinez Fischer (D)
  117. ▌Philip Cortez (D)
  118. ▌John Lujan (R)
  119. ▌Elizabeth Campos (D)
  120. ▌Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D)
  121. ▌Steve Allison (R)
  122. ▌Mark Dorazio (R)
  123. ▌Diego Bernal (D)
  124. ▌Josey Garcia (D)
  125. ▌Ray Lopez (D)
  126. ▌Sam Harless (R)
  127. ▌Charles Cunningham (R)
  128. ▌Briscoe Cain (R)
  129. ▌Dennis Paul (R)
  130. ▌Tom Oliverson (R)
  131. ▌Alma Allen (D)
  132. ▌Mike Schofield (R)
  133. ▌Mano DeAyala (R)
  134. ▌Ann Johnson (D)
  135. ▌Jon Rosenthal (D)
  136. ▌John Bucy III (D)
  137. ▌Gene Wu (D)
  138. ▌Lacey Hull (R)
  139. ▌Jarvis Johnson (D)
  140. ▌Armando Walle (D)
  141. ▌Senfronia Thompson (D)
  142. ▌Harold Dutton Jr. (D)
  143. ▌Ana Hernandez (D)
  144. ▌Mary Ann Perez (D)
  145. ▌Christina Morales (D)
  146. ▌Shawn Thierry (D)
  147. ▌Jolanda Jones (D)
  148. ▌Penny Morales Shaw (D)
  149. ▌Hubert Vo (D)
  150. ▌Valoree Swanson (R)