 Shafer was unanimously elected to serve as the 68th President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate on January 14, 2013.In his campaign for President Pro Tem, Shafer won the backing of the Senate Republican Caucus at its biennial organizational meeting held at Little Ocmulgee State Park on November 15, 2012.His nominating speech before the full Senate was given by Senate Republican Leader Ronnie Chance.