Matt Schaefer, State Rep. District 6, takes a photograph with Thomas and Maria Coats during the Republican election watch party held at the Potpourri House in Tyler on Tuesday Nov. 6, 2018. (Sarah A. Miller/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Texas Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, has won a fourth term in Austin, defeating independent candidate Neal Katz overwhelmingly.

Schaefer had 37,056 votes, or 75.6 percent, to Katz’s 11,929 votes, or 24.4 percent, according to complete, unofficial returns. 

“It is a privilege to serve East Texans in Austin, and I am honored by the strong support I received today,” Schaefer said. “My hat is off to Neal Katz for starting a conversation, and getting his message out. It is time to work together to keep Texas moving in the right direction.” 

Katz said in an interview that he conceded the campaign at his watch party when early voting returns were counted around 7 p.m. 

“It was a classy campaign, it was uplifting, and we’re going to lose classy as well,” said Katz, adding that he planned to call Schaefer to concede. “I don’t regret a minute of it.”

Katz praised the people who shared in his campaign. 

“The community who came out to support me are just a phenomenal group of people who support me,” Katz said.”That’s never changed.” He added, “I was the underdog a year ago and I remained the underdog.” 

Katz said his biggest concern in the race was how many people would vote straight-ticket, which would cause Republicans to vote automatically for his opponent and Democrats not to vote at all in the race. 

“My hope is that Matt sees this race, even though he won, I hope he understands that the community wants a more responsive leader representing us down in Austin,” Katz said.

In Austin, Schaefer, 42, is the chairman of the Texas Freedom Caucus, a coalition of the most conservative Republicans in the Legislature. The caucus has its roots in the tea party movement and often disagrees with moderate Republicans.

Schaefer was first elected in 2012 after he ousted incumbent lawmaker Leo Berman in the Republican primary. He has since won Republican primaries handily, beating businessman Skip Ogle in the 2014 primary, and former lawmaker Ted Kamel in the 2018 primary.

Katz, 45, prided himself on the unconventional nature of his choice to run as an independent, previously saying he chose to run that way because he does not like the way Republicans and Democrats talk about each other and did not want to experience the divisive rhetoric while running. 

Schaefer had support from Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, among several other big-name Republican officeholders. Katz was able to secure endorsements from former Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff, Kamel, David Hudson, who previously represented District 6 in the statehouse, and several local business and faith leaders.

Katz outraised Schaefer during all three reporting periods in the general election, which did not include money Schaefer raised during the primary. Katz also outspent Schaefer during the first two reporting periods, but Schaefer increased his spending and brought in a consultant in October.

Katz ran on issues such as public education, road funding, local control and fiscal conservatism. Schaefer made his pro-life record a centerpiece of his campaign, and highlighted his support for enhanced border security and gun rights.

Katz is a rabbi at Congregation Beth El in Tyler and has served on several nonprofit boards, including the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. Schaefer works in real estate and law, serves as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, and attends Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler.

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