David Shafer: A Political Career in Georgia
David Shafer has been a prominent figure in Georgia's political landscape for decades, transitioning from a campaign strategist to a high-ranking state legislator and party leader. His career is marked by significant leadership roles within the Republican Party and a tenure in the state senate that spanned nearly two decades.
Early Political Career and Strategy
Shafer began his political journey in the late 1980s, serving as the campaign manager for Billy Lovett's bid for Georgia Insurance Commissioner from 1989 to 1990. By the early 1990s, he had risen to the position of executive director of the Georgia Republican Party. In 1994, he stepped down from this role to manage the gubernatorial campaign of businessman Guy Millner, who narrowly lost the general election to Governor Zell Miller.
Shafer later sought public office himself. In 1996, he won a competitive Republican primary for secretary of state but was defeated in the general election by Democrat Lewis Massey. He also attempted to become the state chairman of the Georgia Republican Party in 2001, finishing second to Ralph Reed.
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Tenure in the Georgia State Senate
Shafer entered the Georgia State Senate on February 12, 2002, winning a nonpartisan special election to replace Senator Billy Ray. While the election was nonpartisan, Shafer caucused with the Republican Party. He proved to be a formidable electoral force, winning re-election in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016 without ever facing opposition in those general elections.
His legislative influence peaked on January 14, 2013, when he was elected as the 68th President Pro Tempore (the highest-ranking senator after the Lieutenant Governor) of the Georgia State Senate. He held this position until early 2018. Beyond his official duties, Shafer was an honorary chairman and organizer for the Republican Liberty Caucus in Georgia.
Bids for Lieutenant Governor
Shafer made two distinct attempts to secure the office of Lieutenant Governor. The first began in late 2008 after incumbent Casey Cagle announced a run for governor. However, Shafer suspended this campaign when Cagle withdrew from the gubernatorial race due to a spinal disease and sought re-election as lieutenant governor instead.
Shafer resumed his pursuit of the office in 2018. He entered the race as a front-runner, securing 49% of the vote in a three-way Republican primary. This necessitated a runoff against state Representative Geoff Duncan. During this period, Shafer faced allegations of sexual harassment from a lobbyist. An investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee dismissed the complaint, concluding that the allegations were likely fabricated and that telephone records contradicted the accuser's claims. Despite the legal clearance, Shafer narrowly lost the runoff to Duncan, receiving 49.9% of the vote to Duncan's 50.1%.
Leadership of the Georgia Republican Party
On May 18, 2019, Shafer was elected Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party. During his leadership, he was involved in the advancement of SB 202, a controversial voting reform bill signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp. Shafer served as party chair until June 2023, when he was succeeded by Joshua McKoon.
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Controversies Regarding the 2020 Presidential Election
Following the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Shafer and the Georgia Republican Party joined the Donald Trump campaign in legal challenges to contest the certification of Joe Biden's victory in Georgia. Shafer was accused of spreading misinformation regarding the vote-counting process.
On December 14, 2020, Shafer submitted 16 fraudulent Electoral College votes to the U.S. Senate and National Archives, identifying himself as the Chairperson of the "Electoral College of Georgia." He later testified before the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack, stating that the Trump campaign had directed the Georgia GOP to submit these false electors.
Shafer also faced scrutiny for condemning Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger after the release of an audio recording in which Trump pressured Raffensperger to "find" more votes. In August 2023, Shafer was indicted by a Fulton County grand jury on racketeering charges related to the effort to overturn the election results. His defense maintained that he was following direct legal advice from Trump's counsel. On November 9, 2025, Shafer was pardoned by Donald Trump.
Key Facts
- Senate Tenure: Served in the Georgia State Senate from 2002 to 2018.
- Leadership: Served as the 68th President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate.
- Party Role: Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party from 2019 to 2023.
- Election Results: Narrowly lost the 2018 Lieutenant Governor runoff by 0.2%.
- Legal History: Indicted in 2023 for racketeering related to the 2020 election; pardoned in 2025.
| Period/Year | Role/Event | Outcome/Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1989-1990 | Campaign Manager | Billy Lovett (Insurance Commissioner race) |
| Early 1990s | Executive Director | Georgia Republican Party |
| 1996 | Candidate for Secretary of State | Won primary; lost general election |
| 2002-2018 | State Senator | Re-elected multiple times without opposition |
| 2013-2018 | President Pro Tempore | 68th person to hold the position |
| 2018 | Candidate for Lt. Governor | Lost runoff (49.9% vs 50.1%) |
| 2019-2023 | GOP State Chairman | Led party through 2020 election and SB 202 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long did David Shafer serve in the Georgia State Senate?
David Shafer served from February 12, 2002, until early 2018, when he resigned to run for lieutenant governor.
What was the outcome of the sexual harassment complaint against Shafer?
The Senate Ethics Committee dismissed the complaint after an independent counsel found that the allegations were likely fabricated and that telephone records proved the alleged harassing calls did not occur.
What role did Shafer play in the 2020 election controversy?
Shafer submitted a slate of 16 fraudulent electoral votes to the U.S. Senate and National Archives and was later indicted on racketeering charges for attempting to overturn the election results in Georgia.
Was David Shafer convicted of the racketeering charges?
While he was indicted by a Fulton County grand jury in August 2023, he was ultimately pardoned by Donald Trump on November 9, 2025.
Who succeeded David Shafer as Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party?
Joshua McKoon succeeded David Shafer as the party chair in June 2023.