Representative Bob Schaffer

Robert Warren Schaffer (born July 24, 1962) is an American businessman, educator, and former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from the State of Colorado. He served three terms in Congress, representing Colorado in the 105th, 106th, and 107th Congresses from January 3, 1997, to January 3, 2003. During his tenure in the House of Representatives, Schaffer participated actively in the legislative process and represented the interests of his constituents during a significant period in American history, including the late 1990s economic expansion and the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Schaffer was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in the Midwest. He attended the University of Dayton, where he studied political science and was introduced to public affairs and Republican Party politics. After completing his education, he moved to Colorado, where he became involved in business and public service. His early professional life combined work in the private sector with increasing engagement in state and local politics, laying the groundwork for his later congressional career.

Before his election to Congress, Schaffer served in the Colorado State Senate, where he developed a reputation as a fiscal and social conservative. In the state legislature, he focused on issues such as education, taxation, and regulatory policy, and he gained experience in budgetary matters and legislative negotiations. His work at the state level helped establish his profile within the Colorado Republican Party and positioned him as a viable candidate for federal office when a congressional seat became open in the mid-1990s.

In 1996, Schaffer was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican from Colorado and took office on January 3, 1997. He served three consecutive terms, leaving office on January 3, 2003. As a member of the House of Representatives, Schaffer contributed to the legislative process across a range of domestic and foreign policy issues. He was co-chairman of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus and became an outspoken leader in promoting American interests and human rights in Eastern Europe, particularly in relation to Ukraine and the broader post-Soviet region. His work in this area included advocacy for democratic reforms, free elections, and closer ties between the United States and emerging democracies in Eastern Europe. Schaffer chose not to seek reelection to the House in 2002, honoring a self-imposed term-limit pledge.

After leaving Congress, Schaffer remained active in both politics and the private sector. He worked as a businessman and consultant and continued to engage in public policy debates, especially on energy, education, and foreign affairs. In 2004, he sought the Republican nomination for a United States Senate seat from Colorado but lost in the primary election and did not advance to the general election. Despite that setback, he remained a prominent figure within Colorado Republican circles and was later recruited again for a statewide race.

Schaffer became the Republican nominee for Colorado’s other United States Senate seat in the 2008 election, running for the open seat of retiring Senator Wayne Allard. He formally filed his statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on May 9, 2007, and on May 12, 2007, he publicly announced his candidacy at a Republican fundraising event in Boulder, Colorado, before a group of more than 150 Republicans. During the 2008 campaign, Schaffer and his Democratic opponent, U.S. Representative Mark Udall, participated in high-profile forums, including an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press Senate Debate series on September 28, 2008, where they discussed the proposed bailout of the U.S. financial system amid the unfolding financial crisis. In the general election, Schaffer was defeated by Udall, who won the seat in November 2008.

In addition to his political and business activities, Schaffer has had a significant career in education. He became Headmaster of Liberty Common High School in Fort Collins, Colorado, a charter school known for its rigorous academic standards and classical curriculum. Under Schaffer’s leadership, Liberty Common High School achieved notable academic success, including two graduating classes that broke the State of Colorado’s all-time record composite ACT and SAT scores, respectively. His work at Liberty Common has made him a prominent advocate for school choice, charter schools, and high academic standards within Colorado and beyond.

Schaffer continues to reside in Colorado and remains engaged in public life through his educational leadership and ongoing involvement in policy discussions. His career reflects a combination of legislative service, statewide political campaigns, business experience, and educational administration, with a particular emphasis on conservative principles, international human rights advocacy in Eastern Europe, and the advancement of academic excellence in public education.