Texas Rep. Matt Schaefer said on Monday that he will not be running for re-election in 2024.
Schaefer (R-Tyler) made the announcement in a Twitter post, saying, “It’s time for the next conservative leader to be the voice of House District 6 in Austin.”
“With deep gratitude I say thank you to my family, staff, friends, campaign supporters, and fellow citizens who have prayed, donated, and given me their trust! Serving in the Texas House has been one of the highest honors of my life,” wrote Schaefer.
Schaefer was first elected to the House in 2012 after defeating incumbent Leo Berman in the Republican primary.
According to an analysis by Mark P. Jones of Rice University, Schaefer was the 12th most conservative member of the House in 2023, reported The Texas Tribune.
In May, Schaefer voted against the impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton. Despite his vote, the Republican-majority House voted 121-23 to impeach Paxton over allegations that he disregarded his official duties and abused his power to protect a political donor.
Schaefer was also ranked as one of the House’s most “pro-family” members after earning a 97% on the Texas Family Project’s “report card,” as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
The report card graded each legislator by their votes on “pro-family” bills. Schaefer was tied with Rep. Steve Toth (R-The Woodlands) and Rep. Tony Tinderholt (R-Arlington) as the most “pro-family,” per The Dallas Express.
Moving forward, Schaefer said he plans to reconnect with his loved ones following the end of his term.
“I will remain focused on my duties until my term ends. I look forward to spending more time with my wonderful wife, young children, church, and business,” he wrote in his announcement.
Schaefer added that his future in elected offices “remains in God’s hands,” but he did not rule out the possibility of running again in the future.
“If our outstanding State Senator Bryan Hughes ever chooses higher office, I will strongly consider running for the Texas Senate,” wrote Schaefer.
Schaefer’s term is set to end in January 2025.