Randy Neugebauer served on the Lubbock city council from 1992 to 1998.
Neugebauer eked out a narrow victory over Midland accountant Mike Conaway on June 5, 2003 in a runoff election to fill the seat of retired Rep. Larry Combest. Neugebauer won by less than 600 votes out of 56,505 ballots cast.
The Texas Legislature redrew the state's congressional districts in 2003 to favor Republicans. As a result, Neugebauer faced 25-year veteran Charlie Stenholm in the 2004 general election.