Friday, January 20, 2012
Incumbent state Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, and political newcomer Matt Schaefer participated in their first public debate Thursday as they seek to represent District 6.More than 75 people attended the debate hosted by the Smith County Republican Women inside Traditions Restaurant. Berman and Schaefer shared their opinions about property and business taxes and sparred on topics such as term limits and education.... Read More
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Campaign finance reports show political contributions to a challenger in the race for Texas House District 6 nearly tripled those received by incumbent Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, as the candidates head toward their first public confrontation.Challenger Matt Schaefer raised about $36,500 compared to more than $13,500 for Berman from July to Dec. 31, 2011, according to campaign finance reports filed by the candidates.... Read More
Monday, November 28, 2011
Two announced Republican candidates for House District 6, seven-term Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, and challenger Matt Schaefer will officially file petitions and fees for a place on Smith County ballots today as the filing period for several local races begins.Schaefer and Berman both said they are eager to file. Berman said he will write a check to cover the $750 filing fee, while Schaefer will turn in the required 500 registered District 6 voter signatures for a place on the ballot.... Read More
Friday, October 07, 2011
As East Texas soldiers and Marines reflect on successes and defeats overseas, the United States today marks a day many thought would never come: a decade of war in Afghanistan.For some soldiers and Marines, success is each day the Taliban is not in control of the country. Others say it is providing opportunity for medical care and education for children.They hope the conditions continue improving in that war-torn country leading up to the 2014 U.S. withdrawal deadline.... Read More
Sunday, October 02, 2011
Refrigerator magnets emblazoned with hopeful political candidates’ names and pearly smile-photos sit next to flyers, pens, bumper-stickers, balloons and bins of bubble gum and hard candy. The tiny armies of campaign material are in wait in candidate booths for passersby at the East Texas State Fair.... Read More
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Seven-term state Rep. Leo Berman’s decision to renege on a pledge to step down was called into question in a mass email authored by an outspoken and influential member of the Smith County Republican Party.The Friday email, from former Smith County commissioner and longtime Republican activist Sharon Emmert, addresses Berman’s decision to announce his re-election bid after challenger Matt Schaefer’s July 8 announcement he would seek the District 6 seat. In the email, which was forwarded to an extensive conservative email list, she said Berman made it clear to her and “his circle of friends” he would step down if a viable candidate were to emerge.... Read More
Friday, July 08, 2011
Nathan Baber, 17, a young political observer and activist from Whitehouse, stood in the mid-day shade around Donnybrook Automotive on Thursday, waiting for the first formal announcement by a candidate for District 6 state representative.Baber can’t vote yet, but he has campaigned door-to-door for candidates in the past. After Matt Schaefer, a former small-town attorney and regional director for U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, announced his intentions to run as a Republican for the House seat, Baber offered himself as a campaign volunteer.... Read More
Thursday, July 07, 2011
A former small-town attorney and current political spokesman said he wants to hold Austin accountable to East Texans as District 6 state representative.Naval Reserve Lt. Cmdr. Matt Schaefer, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s East Texas regional director, will announce his run for District 6 seat occupied by state Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, at 1:30 p.m. today at Donnybrook Automotive, 401 Troup Highway in Tyler.... Read More
