Royal Masset

Royal Andrew Masset died on January 12, 2016, in Laredo, Texas. He was born on October 20, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York, to Aimee Toner Masset and George Rowe Masset. He was named for his maternal grandfather, Royal Toner. He moved to Austin in 1967 to attend law school. Royal married Elsa Ramos Rodriguez in 2001. They lived in Austin until 2013, when they moved to Laredo with their children, Isabel and Ernesto.

Royal was predeceased by his parents, and his sister Jeanne S. Masset. He is survived by his wife, Elsa, his daughter Isabel, and his step-son Ernesto Ramos Rodriguez.

Royal graduated cum laude from Princeton University with an A.B. in history in 1967, and from the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas with a Masters of Divinity in 1976. He attended the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, and was licensed to practice law in Texas. He was a member of the University Rotary Club of Austin, and served as its president.

Royal was a very giving, caring gentleman. When Royal's parents reached the age at which they needed help taking care of themselves and his disabled sister, he brought them all into his home in Austin to care for them in their final years, even as his own health began to falter. He helped his wife Elsa with her restaurant business in Austin, and he cherished his children, of whom he was most proud.

Royal was proud that, as a young man, he had a revelation that the philosophy of liberalism was not the answer to effective governance. After the 1972 election, Royal began reading up on conservative philosophy and ultimately became a true believer and advocate for limited government and individual freedom.

As a political professional and lawyer, Royal made significant impacts to the Austin and Texas political scenes. He served as Executive Director of Austin Citizens League for seven years, and was instrumental in lowering Austin's property tax rate from the highest of the largest 7 cities in Texas to the lowest. He also served as the Executive Director of Texas Taxpayers League, and coordinated the activity of 40 taxpayer groups. As a lawyer, his case against the City of Austin resulted in a remarkable $53 million reduction in electric rates for one year alone. In 1983, he served as counsel for the Committee on Intergovernmental Relations for the Texas House of Representatives, and worked part time for a number of state legislators analyzing legislation during multiple legislative sessions.

He worked for the Republican Party of Texas for fifteen years under various titles, most often that of Political Director. There he developed the ORVS (Optimal Republican Voting Strength) system to target political races with great accuracy. ORVS was ultimately used in 16 states. While on the RPT staff, the number of Republican elected officeholders increased from just over 300 to well over 1500 seats. The number of elected statewide officeholders went from zero to twenty-nine, which is all of the statewide officials. Royal also saw the need to educate conservative political candidates, party activists, and campaign workers, so he created the RPT's first campaign schools. As the Republican Party gained new seats in the Texas Legislature, he initiated legislative orientations and training sessions on issues and legislative skills. He trained well over 3500 candidates and activists at RPT campaign schools.

He also served as CEO of Royal Masset & Associates, a political consulting firm, and was a respected contributing columnist for Harvey Kronberg's Quorum Report, a newsletter focusing on Texas politics and government.

Royal received the Rising Star Award in 1996 from Campaigns and Elections magazine. This is the highest award given to political consultants. He also was named as one of Austin's Most Interesting People in 1980 by Austin Homes & Gardens magazine, and in 1977, Austin's then-Mayor Carole Keeton issued a proclamation naming Royal a Distinguished Citizen in Austin.

Texas GOP Chairman Tom Mechler notes, "Without question, the [RPT] would not be as successful today without Royal Masset's firm commitment to building our base and winning elections." Former President George W. Bush told Royal, "There are many Texans holding elected office today who I know are grateful that they had the opportunity to learn the techniques of campaigning from you. Our party has long looked to you to help prepare candidates for tough races, and you can be proud of the role that you have played in many Republican victories in every corner of our state."

Services will be held at 2:30p.m. on Friday, January 22, 2016 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 5201 Convict Hill Rd., Austin, Texas 78749. Memorial donations may be made to a charity or Republican candidate of your choice.

Private Inurnment will be held at a later date.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956) 722-8850.