Matt Schaefer
Matthew R. Schaefer (born February 11, 1976) 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. 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). Background. Schaefer attended Cisco College in Cisco, Texas, where he played football. Then he attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock , where he obtained a bachelor's degree in finance and a J.D. degree from Texas Tech University School of Law. Political career. In 1999, he worked on staff in Tyler for U.S. Senator Phil Gramm. 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. 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). 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. 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%. Personal life. Schaefer attends Green Acres Baptist Church, at which he met his wife in 2001.