Judith Zaffirini: Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively ← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisual WikitextInline

Revision as of 17:07, 11 January 2008 edit66.25.173.105 (talk) Deleted pointless detail regarding a candidate who withdrew from the race← Previous edit		Latest revision as of 02:34, 7 December 2024 edit undoJevansen (talk \| contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Page movers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers3,448,597 edits Removing from Category:20th-century American politicians using Cat-a-lot
(260 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1:		Line 1:
			{{short description\|American politician}}
	'''Judith Pappas Zaffirini''' (born ], ])<ref>

			{{Infobox officeholder
			\| image = Judith Zaffirini 2009 CROPPED.jpg
			\| image_size = 175px
			\| caption = Zaffirini in 2009
			\| name = Judith Pappas Zaffirini
			\| honorific-suffix =
			\| state_senate = Texas
			\| state = Texas
			\| district = ]
			\| term_start = January 13, 1987
			\| preceded = John Traeger
			\| succeeded = ]
			\| party = ]
			\| birth_date = {{Birth date and age\|1946\|2\|13}}
			\| birth_place = ], U.S.
			\| death_date =
			\| death_place =
			\| death_cause =
			\| resting_place =
			\| spouse = Carlos Zaffirini Sr.
			\| children = 1
			\| residence = Laredo, Texas
			\| alma_mater = ]<br>] (])
			\| occupation =
			\| profession =
			\| website =
			}}

			'''Judith Pappas Zaffirini''' (born February 13, 1946) is an American politician serving as a ] member of the ] from the ], which includes her home city of ] in south ].
			Zaffririni is the first female dean of the Texas Senate.
			<ref name='aasjan2024'>
			{{cite news \|last=Gore\|first=Hogan \|date=January 8, 2024
			\|title= The Texas Senate has its first female dean. What Sen. Judith Zaffirini hopes to accomplish
			\|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-texas-senate-has-its-first-female-dean-what-sen-judith-zaffirini-hopes-to-accomplish/ar-AA1mDX4L
			\|newspaper=Austin American-Statesman \|access-date= January 9, 2024 }}
			</ref> Zaffirini has been named among the "Top 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States" by ''Hispanic Business'' magazine.<ref>Odie Arambula, "Magazine names Zaffirini influential", '']'', October 13, 2008, p. 4A</ref> Zaffirini is the first ] woman elected to the Texas Senate.<ref>Vaughn, Reese. "." '']''. August 30, 2002. 10E. Retrieved on February 4, 2012.</ref>

			{{TOClimit\|3}}

			==Background==

			Zaffirini is a graduate of the ].<ref>Jason Buch, "Laredoan of the year: Zaffirini recognized as education champion", '']'', January 1, 2009, p. 1</ref>

			Zaffirini studied two summers at ] (then Laredo Junior College).<ref>{{cite news \| first = Celina \| last = Alvarado \| title = State senator given college's first-ever 'Beacon Award' \| work = ] \| date = 2007-12-18 \| pages = 1, 13A }}</ref>

			In 1977, Zaffirini became an associate of the ] (WIFP).<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.wifp.org/who-we-are/associates/\|title=Associates {{!}} The Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press\|website=www.wifp.org\|language=en-US\|access-date=2017-06-21}}</ref> WIFP is an American nonprofit publishing organization. The organization works to increase communication between women and connect the public with forms of women-based media.

			==Elections==
			<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/legeLeaders/members/memberDisplay.cfm?memberID=495&searchparams=chamber=H~city=~countyID=0~RcountyID=~district=~first=~gender=~last=Bock~leaderNote=~leg=~party=~roleDesc=~Committee=\|title=Bennie Bock, II\|publisher=lrl.state.tx.us\|access-date=July 15, 2013}}</ref>

			In 1994, she won more than two thirds of the ballots cast in the ] against the Republican candidate, Fernando G. Cantu Jr. (1944–2016), 71,029 (68.5 percent to 32,624 (31.5 percent).

			In the Democratic primary held on March 4, 2008, Zaffirini was to have faced San Antonio ] Rene Barrientos (born January 25, 1954), but Barrientos withdrew from the race. His name, however, remained on the ballot, and he did some advertising. Zaffirini won the nomination, 108,572 votes (78.6 percent); Barrientos, 23,262 (21.4 percent).<ref>Democratic primary returns, ''Laredo Morning Times'', March 5, 2008, p. 1</ref><ref>{{cite news \|last=Aguilar \|first=Julian \|date=2007-12-28 \|title=Bruni becomes Republican in a bid to unseat Zaffirini \|page=1A, 13A \|work=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|last=Cortez \|first=Tricia \|date=2008-01-10 \|title=Zaffirini foe quits \|pages=1, 12A \|work=]}}</ref>

			].]]

			In the November 6, 2012, general election, Zaffirini handily defeated the Republican candidate, Grant Elliot Rostig (born c. 1958) of ] in ], a supporter of the ], who was endorsed by the ].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.grantrostig.com/\|title=Grant Rostig for State Senator, District 21\|publisher=grantrostig.com\|access-date=November 5, 2012}}</ref> Zaffirini received 129,894 votes (67.6 percent) to Rostig's 56,032 (29.2 percent). The remaining 3.2 percent of the vote went to the Libertarian nominee, Joseph Morse.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/nov06_164_state.htm \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205022857/https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/enr/results/nov06_164_state.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=December 5, 2012 \|title=Texas general election returns, November 6, 2012 \|publisher=Texas Secretary of State \|access-date=November 10, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|last=Cortez \|first=Tricia \|date=2007-12-21 \|title=Zaffirini's ready to run for her state senate seat \|page=3A \|work=]}}</ref>

			==Legislative tenure==

			] South Campus in ], ].]]

			] in Laredo was dedicated in September 2012, with ] ] and ] ] in attendance.]]

			] in east Laredo.]]

			Zaffirini has a 100 percent voting record, having through 2013 cast more than fifty thousand consecutive votes since January 1987. She even once missed her son's graduation to maintain the record.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2013-05-17/texas-sen-zaffirini-casts-50000th-vote\|title=Texas Sen. Zaffirini casts 50,000th vote\|newspaper=]\|access-date=May 18, 2013}}</ref>

			On January 9, 2007, Zaffirini became the second in seniority in the 31-member Texas Senate, of which she has been a member since 1987.<ref>
	{{cite web		{{cite web
	\| url = http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/candidates/general/senate/senateaddr.shtml		\|url = http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/candidates/general/senate/senateaddr.shtml
	\| title = State Senate Candidates for 2002 General Election		\|title = State Senate Candidates for 2002 General Election
	\| ~~accessdate~~ = 2006-12-27		\|access-date = 2006-12-27
	\| date = 2002-09-13		\|date = 2002-09-13
	\| author = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas)		\|author = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas)
			\|url-status = dead
	}}</ref>
			\|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080213232650/http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/candidates/general/senate/senateaddr.shtml
	is a ] member of the ] from the ], which includes her home city of ]. On ], ], Zaffirini became the second in seniority in the 31-member Texas Senate, where she has served since ].
			\|archive-date = 2008-02-13
			}}</ref>

			In 2011, Zaffirini voted against the state appropriations bill because it reduced funding for public education by $5.4 billion, including $1.4 billion for targeted programs, such as pre-kindergarten expansion grants, one of her favorite programs. In 2013, Zaffirini will push for the issuance of tuition revenue bonds to fund capital construction projects on state college and university campuses, including TAMIU in Laredo.<ref>"Senator Zaffirini eyes education budget restoration", ''Laredo Morning Times'', pp. 1J, 9J, January 27, 2013</ref>
	In ], Zaffirini upset the late ] ], in the Democratic primary for state senator. She then defeated ] ] of ] in the ]. After redistricting, they would appear some ten years later as state senate colleagues.

			In 2012, Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst removed Zaffirini from the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Higher Education in favor of ], a Republican from ]. Instead Zaffirini chairs the Senate Committee on Government Organization. She will remain a member of the higher education committee under Seliger and will continue as the co-chair of the Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance Excellence and Transparency. Zaffirini said that she will continue to influence higher education policy "but the only difference is that the gavel won't be in my hand."<ref>JJ Velasquez, "Sen. Zaffirini out", ''Laredo Morning Times'', October 5, 2012, pp. 1, 11A</ref>
	Zaffirini has continued to defeat intraparty and interparty challengers in her ]-based district. She was to face San Antonio ] ] (born ], ]), in a ], ], Democratic primary, but Barrientos withdrew from the race on ].

			In July 2013, Zaffirini joined her Democratic colleagues in voting against Republican-sponsored legislation which passed the Senate, 19 to 11, to reduce from twenty-six to twenty weeks of gestation the maximum time limit during which a woman can procure an ]. Zaffirini, who is ], describes the new law as not anti-abortion, per se, but one that limits a woman's access to health care and fails to address the question of unintended ].<ref name=abortion>"House Bill 2: Senator Zaffirini explains her position: Reduces women's health care access", ''Laredo Morning Times'', July 14, 2013, pp. 1, 10A</ref> Zaffirini said that she does "not believe that an unborn child can feel pain at twenty weeks. Nevertheless that had nothing to do with my position. ..."<ref name=abortion/> Zaffirini said, "Like it or not abortion is the law of the land, and because it is we must insure that women have access to safe and legal abortions. If they do not, then they will resort to coat hangers and self-aborting and illegal abortions, and that is wrong."<ref name=abortion/> Opponents of the law, such as Senator ] of ], vowed a court challenge.<ref>"Republicans finally pass new abortion limits", ''Laredo Morning Times'', July 14, 2013, p. 5A</ref>
	Zaffirini will square off in the ] general election against former Webb County (administrative) Judge (]-2007) Louis Henry Bruni, Jr. (born ]), a Democrat who switched to Republican affiliation on ], 2007. In 2004, Zaffirini handily defeated Bruni's brother, Raymond Anthony Bruni (born ]), in the Democratic primary. In announcing his candidacy, Louis Bruni said that the historically Democratic district could be ripe for a partisan turnover. Prior to his judgeship, Bruni had been a member of the nonpartisan Laredo ]. <ref>Julian Aguilar," "Bruni becomes Repubican in a bid to unseat Zaffirini", ''Laredo Morning Times'', December 28, 2007, pp. 1A, 13A</ref>Bruni also said that his opposition to Zaffirini stems in part from a legal feud that he had with his brother prior to Raymond's campaign against the senator.<ref>Tricia Cortez, "Zaffirini foe quits", ''Laredo Morning Times'', January 10, 2008, pp. 1, 12A.

			On March 8, 2017, Zaffirini was the only dissenter in an eight-to-one vote of the Senate State Affairs Committee of the ], Senate Bill 6, introduced by her Republican colleague, ] of ] and strongly pushed by Lieutenant Governor ], the Republican presiding officer of the Senate. The bill would require persons to use public restrooms corresponding to their genitalia at birth. Strongly opposed by business and athletic interests, the measure is now pending before the Texas House of Representatives.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.gosanangelo.com/story/news/local/texas/state-bureau/2017/03/08/bathroom-bill-clears-first-hurdle-awaits-senate-vote/98899872/
	Despite her Democratic heritage, Zaffirini is known for her ability to work across party lines, particularly her friendship with Republican ] ]. As a result of ] and the structuring of terms in the Senate, Zaffirini has served three four-year and five two-year terms. Zaffirini claims that "voters are always well informed, and I believe they will decide to support me based on my record and seniority."<ref>Tricia Cortez, "Zaffirini's ready to run for her state senate seat", ''Laredo Morning Times'', December 21, 2007, p. 3A</ref>
			\|title=Bathroom bill clears first hurdle, awaits Senate vote\|first=John C..\|last= Moritz\|website=]\|date=March 8, 2017\|access-date=March 9, 2017}}</ref> Opponents of the measure have put their hopes in ] ] of San Antonio, the ], who is known to be lukewarm or even hostile toward the measure.<ref>Gilbert Garcia, "Hopefuls must reject SB 6 on moral grounds", '']'', March 8, 2017, p. A2.</ref>

			In the 2017 legislative session, Zaffirini claimed her greatest numerical success record yet. Of the 168 bills that she introduced, 108 (64 percent) passed. Lawmakers introduced 6,631 bills but sent fewer, 1,211 (18 percent), to the governor than they have done since 1997 in the third year of the administration of Governor ].<ref>Andrea Zelinski, "More bills filed, fewer passed: of 6,631 introduced, 1,211 reached Abbott," ''San Antonio Express-News,'' June 3, 2017, p. A3.</ref>
	Zaffirin has a perfect attendance record in the Senate except in ] ], when she joined her fellow Democrats who fled to ] to boycott Republican plans to redistrict the Texas congressional map. The ] plan was adopted but later altered by the ].

			Zaffririni became the first female dean of the Texas Senate on December 30, 2023 when Sen. ] resigned.
	Zaffirini sponsored the bill that created the expanded ]from the former Laredo State University. She led a movement to restore $154 million in community college funds vetoed in 2007 by ] ].
			<ref name='aasjan2024'>
			{{cite news \|last=Gore\|first=Hogan \|date=January 8, 2024
			\|title= The Texas Senate has its first female dean. What Sen. Judith Zaffirini hopes to accomplish
			\|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-texas-senate-has-its-first-female-dean-what-sen-judith-zaffirini-hopes-to-accomplish/ar-AA1mDX4L
			\|newspaper=Austin American-Statesman \|access-date= January 9, 2024 }}
			</ref>

			==Civil lawsuits==
	Zaffirini is a graduate of the ] at ]. She studied several semesters previously at ] (then Laredo Junior College). On ], 2007, Zaffirni was honored by the LCC board of trustees with its inaugural "Beacon Award", a creation from the college's sixtieth anniversary. LCC president Juan L. Maldonado declared that the award honors individuals whose ] efforts have improved and advanced the welfare of the Webb County community. Maldonado said that the beacon "evokes the flame of the lamp of learning, which represents the role of the individual in bringing enlightenment and hope to others. . . . Senator Zaffirni embodies all of these admirable traits . . . and make her the ideal recipient of this award." In ], LCC named its south campus ] in honor of Zaffirni.<ref>Celina Alvarado, "State senator given college's first-ever 'Beacon Award'",''Laredo Morning Times'', December 18, 2007, pp. 1, 13A</ref>. She is also honored through the Zaffirini Elementary School, 5210 Santa Claudia Lane in Laredo, one of the campuses of the United Independent School District.

			In July 2013, Zaffirini was twice sued in Bexar County for alleged "gross mismanagement" of an estate valued at $150 million. The sisters, Josefina Alexander Gonzalez (1914–2014) and Delfina E. Alexander (died 2008), together owned about one thousand acres in South Texas. Between 1995 and 2002, five companies were organized to develop the property, but some of the businesses have long been inactive. The sisters further formed the Delfina and Josephina Alexander Family Trust designed to pass the proceeds of the holdings to Gonzalez's daughter, Rocio G. Guerra, and Gonzalez's two grandchildren. The second suit alleges that Zaffirini and two co-defendants, David H. Arredondo and Clarissa N. Chapa, committed tax fraud, forged documents, and paid themselves excessive fees in the amount of $420,000 for management of the Alexander holdings. The defendants are also accused of withholding money from the trust. Zaffirini's attorney-husband, Carlos Zaffirini Sr., said that Guerra and her children, have tried to break the trust on four occasions and that the basic issue centers on squabbling among the heirs over the collection of the money.<ref>Craig Kapitan, "Zaffrini named in suit: Plaintiffs claim gross mismanagement of family trust", ''Laredo Morning Times'', July 20, 2013, pp. 1, 9A</ref> Josefina Alexander Gonzales died in December 2014, five days before her 100th birthday.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=1478415\|title=Josefina Alexander Gonzalez\|publisher=joejackfonfuneralchapels.com\|access-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/tx-court-of-appeals/1685246.html\|title=Judith Zaffirini, David H. Arredondo and Clarissa N. Chapa, as Co–Trustees of the Exempt Trust of Rocio Gonzalez Guerra, Appellants, v. Rocio G. Guerra, Appellee\|date=November 26, 2014\|publisher=caselaw.findlaw.com\|access-date=February 3, 2015}}</ref>
	Zaffirini is married to Laredo attorney Carlos M. Zaffirini, Sr. (born ]) The couple has a son, attorney Carlos Zaffirini, Jr. (born ]).<ref>http://preview.ussearch.com/preview/newsearch;jsessionid=C4379C62EC8AFB81BF3ED9E7C65CBF42?searchFName=carlos&searchMName=&searchLName=zaffirini&searchCity=laredo&searchState=TX&searchApproxAge=31&adID=10002101&searchtab=people&x=21&y=5</ref> The late Webb County ] ] was a brother-in-law of Zaffirini.

			In August 2016, the longstanding case was resolved without going to trial. Zaffirini delivered $35 million in cash and land to three Alexander family trusts that benefit Rocio Guerra, Zaffirini's second cousin, and Guerra's two children. The three are the sole heirs to the Alexander estate. In return, Zaffirini will take control of nearly 450 acres of undeveloped real estate off Del Mar Boulevard. Zaffirini will continue to serve as an executor and trustee of certain entities of the Alexander estate.<ref>John MacCormack, "Zaffirini's family feud comes to end: Dispute focused on Laredo real estate," ''San Antonio Express-News'', August 7, 2016, pp. 1, 22A</ref>

			==Criticism of Donald Trump==

			On the occasion of Republican presidential candidate ]'s visit to Laredo on July 23, 2015, Zaffrini wrote the lead column on the editorial page the next day in the '']'' to question Trump's commitment to border issues.<ref>Judith Zaffirini, "Trump's visit should be a living lesson:, ''Laredo Morning Times'', July 24, 2015, p. 4A</ref>

			==Electoral history==

	==Election history==
	Election history of Zaffirini since 1992.<ref>Uncontested primary elections are not shown.</ref>		Election history of Zaffirini since 1992.<ref>Uncontested primary elections are not shown.</ref>

	===~~Most recent election~~===		===2008===
			{{Election box begin no change
			\| title=Texas General Election, 2008: ]<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \|title=2008 General Election \|access-date=2008-11-04 \|publisher=Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \|archive-date=2014-01-09 }}</ref>
			}}
			{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
			\| party = Democratic Party (US)
			\| candidate = Judith Zaffirini (])
			\| votes = 129,608
			\| percentage = 68.24
			}}
			{{Election box candidate with party link no change
			\| party = Republican Party (United States)
			\| candidate = Louis H. Bruni
			\| votes = 55,363
			\| percentage = 29.15
			}}
			{{Election box candidate with party link no change
			\| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
			\| candidate = Barry L. Allison
			\| votes = 4,966
			\| percentage = 2.61
			}}
			{{Election box total no change
			\| votes = 189,937
			\| percentage = 100.00
			}}
			{{election box end}}

			{{Election box begin no change
			\| title=] primary, 2008: ]<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \|title=2008 Democratic Party Primary Election \|access-date=2007-03-04 \|publisher=Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \|archive-date=2014-01-09 }}</ref>
			}}
			{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
			\| party = Democratic Party (US)
			\| candidate = Judith Zaffirini (])
			\| votes = 108,572
			\| percentage = 78.6
			}}
			{{Election box candidate with party link no change
			\| party = Democratic Party (US)
			\| candidate = Rene Barrientos
			\| votes = 23,262
			\| percentage = 21.4
			}}
			{{Election box total no change
			\| votes = 131,834
			\| percentage = 100.0
			}}
			{{election box end}}

	====2004====		====2004====
	{{Election box begin		{{Election box begin no change
	\| title=]: ]<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \| title = 2004 General Election \| ~~accessdate~~ = 2007-01-04 \| publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas)}}</ref>		\| title=Texas general election, 2004: ]<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \|title=2004 General Election \|access-date=2007-01-04 \|publisher=Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \|archive-date=2014-01-09 }}</ref>
	}}		}}
	{{Election box candidate with party link		{{Election box candidate with party link no change
	\| party= Democratic Party (US)		\| party = Democratic Party (US)
	\| candidate = ] (])		\| candidate = Judith Zaffirini (])
	\| votes = 127,573		\| votes = 127,573
	\| percentage = 100.00		\| percentage = 100.00
	\| change = +10.89
	}}		}}
	{{Election box ~~majority~~		{{Election box total no change
	\| votes = 127,573		\| votes = 127,573
	\| percentage = 100.00		\| percentage = 100.00
	\| change = +21.78
	}}
	{{Election box turnout
	\| votes = 127,573
	\| percentage =
	\| change = +18.86
	}}		}}
	{{Election box hold with party link no swing		{{Election box hold with party link no swing
Line 55:		Line 181:
	}}		}}
	{{Election box end}}		{{Election box end}}

	{{Election box begin no party
			{{Election box begin no change
	\| title=] primary, 2004: ]<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \| title = 2004 Democratic Party Primary Election \| accessdate = 2007-01-04 \| publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas)}}</ref>
			\| title=] primary, 2004: ]<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \|title=2004 Democratic Party Primary Election \|access-date=2007-01-04 \|publisher=Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \|archive-date=2014-01-09 }}</ref>
	}}
	{{Election box candidate no party with winner
	\| winner =
	\| candidate = ]
	\| votes = 17,089
	\| percentage = 21.35
	\| change =
	}}		}}
	{{Election box candidate no party ~~with~~ ~~winner~~		{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
	\| ~~winner~~ = ✓		\| party = Democratic Party (US)
	\| candidate = ] (])		\| candidate = Judith Zaffirini (])
	\| votes = 62,960		\| votes = 62,960
	\| percentage = 78.65		\| percentage = 78.65
	\| change =
	}}		}}
	{{Election box ~~majority~~ no party		{{Election box candidate with party link no change
	\| ~~votes~~ = ~~45,871~~		\| party = Democratic Party (US)
	\| ~~percentage~~ = ~~57.30~~		\| candidate = Raymond Bruni
	\| ~~change~~ =		\| votes = 17,089
			\| percentage = 21.35
	}}		}}
	{{Election box ~~turnout~~ no ~~party~~		{{Election box total no change
	\| votes = 80,049		\| votes = 80,049
	\| percentage =		\| percentage = 100.00
	\| change =
	}}		}}
	{{election box end}}		{{election box end}}

	===Previous elections===
	====2002====		====2002====
	{{Election box begin		{{Election box begin no change
	\| title=]: ]<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \| title = 2002 General Election \| ~~accessdate~~ = 2007-01-04 \| publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas)}}</ref>		\| title=Texas general election, 2002: ]<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \|title=2002 General Election \|access-date=2007-01-04 \|publisher=Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \|archive-date=2014-01-09 }}</ref>
	}}		}}
	{{Election box candidate with party link		{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
	\| party= Democratic Party (US)		\| party = Democratic Party (US)
	\| candidate = ] (])		\| candidate = Judith Zaffirini (])
	\| votes = 95,644		\| votes = 95,644
	\| percentage = 89.11		\| percentage = 89.11
	\| change = +22.65
	}}		}}
	{{Election box candidate with party link		{{Election box candidate with party link no change
	\| party= Libertarian Party (US)		\| party = Libertarian Party (US)
	\| candidate = ]		\| candidate = Jeff Carruthers
	\| votes = 11,688		\| votes = 11,688
	\| percentage = 10.89		\| percentage = 10.89
	\| change = +10.89
	}}
	{{Election box majority
	\| votes = 83,956
	\| percentage = 78.22
	\| change = +45.31
	}}		}}
	{{Election box ~~turnout~~		{{Election box total no change
	\| votes = 107,332		\| votes = 107,332
	\| percentage =		\| percentage = 100.00
	\| change = -32.76
	}}		}}
	{{Election box hold with party link no swing		{{Election box hold with party link no swing
Line 119:		Line 229:

	====2000====		====2000====
	{{Election box begin		{{Election box begin no change
	\| title=]: ]<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \| title = 2000 General Election \| ~~accessdate~~ = 2007-01-04 \| publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas)}}</ref>		\| title=Texas general election, 2000: ]<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \|title=2000 General Election \|access-date=2007-01-04 \|publisher=Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \|archive-date=2014-01-09 }}</ref>
	}}		}}
	{{Election box candidate with party link		{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
	\| party= ~~Republican~~ Party (US)		\| party = Democratic Party (US)
	\| candidate = ]		\| candidate = Judith Zaffirini (])
	\| votes = 53,547
	\| percentage = 33.54
	\| change = -0.14
	}}
	{{Election box candidate with party link
	\| party= Democratic Party (US)
	\| candidate = ] (])
	\| votes = 106,089		\| votes = 106,089
	\| percentage = 66.46		\| percentage = 66.46
	\| change = +0.14
	}}		}}
	{{Election box ~~majority~~		{{Election box candidate with party link no change
	\| ~~votes~~ = ~~52,542~~		\| party = Republican Party (US)
	\| ~~percentage~~ = ~~32.91~~		\| candidate = David Swift
	\| ~~change~~ = ~~+0.27~~		\| votes = 53,547
			\| percentage = 33.54
	}}		}}
	{{Election box ~~turnout~~		{{Election box total no change
	\| votes = 159,636		\| votes = 159,636
	\| percentage =		\| percentage = 100.00
	\| change = +15.13
	}}		}}
	{{Election box hold with party link no swing		{{Election box hold with party link no swing
Line 152:		Line 254:

	====1996====		====1996====
	{{Election box begin		{{Election box begin no change
	\| title=]: ]<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \| title = 1996 General Election \| ~~accessdate~~ = 2007-01-04 \| publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas)}}</ref>		\| title=Texas general election, 1996: ]<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \|title=1996 General Election \|access-date=2007-01-04 \|publisher=Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \|archive-date=2014-01-09 }}</ref>
	}}		}}
	{{Election box candidate with party link		{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
	\| party= ~~Republican~~ Party (US)		\| party = Democratic Party (US)
	\| candidate = ]		\| candidate = Judith Zaffirini (])
	\| votes = 46,698
	\| percentage = 33.68
	\| change = +2.21
	}}
	{{Election box candidate with party link
	\| party= Democratic Party (US)
	\| candidate = ] (])
	\| votes = 91,956		\| votes = 91,956
	\| percentage = 66.32		\| percentage = 66.32
	\| change = -2.21
	}}		}}
	{{Election box ~~majority~~		{{Election box candidate with party link no change
	\| ~~votes~~ = ~~45,258~~		\| party = Republican Party (US)
	\| ~~percentage~~ = 32.64		\| candidate = James C. Whitworth
	\| ~~change~~ = ~~-4.41~~		\| votes = 46,698
			\| percentage = 33.68
	}}		}}
	{{Election box ~~turnout~~		{{Election box total no change
	\| votes = 138,654		\| votes = 138,654
	\| percentage =		\| percentage = 100.00
	\| change = +33.77
	}}		}}
	{{Election box hold with party link no swing		{{Election box hold with party link no swing
Line 185:		Line 279:

	====1994====		====1994====
	{{Election box begin		{{Election box begin no change
	\| title=]: ]<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \| title = 1994 General Election \| ~~accessdate~~ = 2007-01-04 \| publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas)}}</ref>		\| title=Texas general election, 1994: ]<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \|title=1994 General Election \|access-date=2007-01-04 \|publisher=Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \|archive-date=2014-01-09 }}</ref>
	}}		}}
	{{Election box candidate with party link		{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
	\| party= Democratic Party (US)		\| party = Democratic Party (US)
	\| candidate = ] (])		\| candidate = Judith Zaffirini (])
	\| votes = 71,029		\| votes = 71,029
	\| percentage = 68.53		\| percentage = 68.53
	\| change = -31.47
	}}		}}
	{{Election box candidate with party link		{{Election box candidate with party link no change
	\| party= Republican Party (US)		\| party = Republican Party (US)
	\| candidate = ]		\| candidate = Fernando Cantu Jr.
	\| votes = 32,624		\| votes = 32,624
	\| percentage = 31.47		\| percentage = 31.47
	\| change = +31.47
	}}
	{{Election box majority
	\| votes = 38,405
	\| percentage = 37.05
	\| change = -62.95
	}}		}}
	{{Election box ~~turnout~~		{{Election box total no change
	\| votes = 103,653		\| votes = 103,653
	\| percentage =		\| percentage = 100.00
	\| change = -6.95
	}}		}}
	{{Election box hold with party link no swing		{{Election box hold with party link no swing
Line 218:		Line 304:

	====1992====		====1992====
	{{Election box begin		{{Election box begin no change
	\| title=]: ]<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \| title = 1992 General Election \| ~~accessdate~~ = 2007-01-04 \| publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas)}}</ref>		\| title=Texas general election, 1992: ]<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \|title=1992 General Election \|access-date=2007-01-04 \|publisher=Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109062336/http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe \|archive-date=2014-01-09 }}</ref>
	}}		}}
	{{Election box candidate with party link		{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
	\| party= Democratic Party (US)		\| party = Democratic Party (US)
	\| candidate = ] (])		\| candidate = Judith Zaffirini (])
	\| votes = 111,398		\| votes = 111,398
	\| percentage = 100.00		\| percentage = 100.00
	\| change =
	}}		}}
	{{Election box ~~majority~~		{{Election box total no change
	\| votes = 111,398		\| votes = 111,398
	\| percentage = 100.00		\| percentage = 100.00
	\| change =
	}}
	{{Election box turnout
	\| votes = 111,398
	\| percentage =
	\| change =
	}}		}}
	{{Election box hold with party link no swing		{{Election box hold with party link no swing
Line 243:		Line 322:
	{{Election box end}}		{{Election box end}}

	==~~References~~==		==See also==
			{{Portalbar\|Biography\|Texas\|Education\|Politics\|Hispanic and Latino Americans\|Christianity}}

			* ]
	{{reflist}}

			==References==
	<div class="references-small">
			{{Reflist}}
	<references/>
	</div>

	==External links==		==External links==
			{{Commons category}}
	* on the Texas Senate website.
			* at the ]
			*
			* profile
			* ''Follow the Money'' - Judith Zaffirini
			** campaign contributions
			*

	{{start ~~box~~}}		{{s-start}}
			{{s-par\|us-tx-sen}}
	{{TXSenateSuccession box
			{{s-bef \| before= John Traeger}}
	\| district = 21
			{{s-ttl
	\| hometown = Laredo
			\| title= ]<br />from ] (])
	\| before=]
	\| ~~start~~=1987		\| years= 1987-present}}
	}}		{{s-inc}}
	{{end ~~box~~}}		{{s-end}}

	{{~~Current~~ Texas ~~Senators~~}}		{{Texas State Senate}}
			{{Texas Women's Hall of Fame}}

			{{Authority control}}
	<!-- Metadata: see ] -->

			{{DEFAULTSORT:Zaffirini, Judith}}
	{{Persondata
			]
	\|NAME=Judith Zaffirini
			]
	\|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
			]
	\|SHORT DESCRIPTION=Texas politician
			]
	\|DATE OF BIRTH=], ]
			]
	\|PLACE OF BIRTH=
			]
	\|DATE OF DEATH=
			]
	\|PLACE OF DEATH=
			]
	}}
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
	]		]
	]

Latest revision as of 02:34, 7 December 2024

American politician

Judith Pappas Zaffirini
Zaffirini in 2009

Member of the Texas Senate from the 21st district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 13, 1987
Preceded by	John Traeger

Personal details
Born	(1946-02-13) February 13, 1946 (age 78) Laredo, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Carlos Zaffirini Sr.
Children	1
Residence(s)	Laredo, Texas
Alma mater	Laredo Community College University of Texas, Austin (BA)

Judith Pappas Zaffirini (born February 13, 1946) is an American politician serving as a Democratic member of the Texas State Senate from the 21st District, which includes her home city of Laredo in south Texas. Zaffririni is the first female dean of the Texas Senate. Zaffirini has been named among the "Top 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States" by Hispanic Business magazine. Zaffirini is the first Mexican American woman elected to the Texas Senate.

Background

Zaffirini is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.

Zaffirini studied two summers at Laredo Community College (then Laredo Junior College).

In 1977, Zaffirini became an associate of the Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press (WIFP). WIFP is an American nonprofit publishing organization. The organization works to increase communication between women and connect the public with forms of women-based media.

Elections

In 1994, she won more than two thirds of the ballots cast in the general election against the Republican candidate, Fernando G. Cantu Jr. (1944–2016), 71,029 (68.5 percent to 32,624 (31.5 percent).

In the Democratic primary held on March 4, 2008, Zaffirini was to have faced San Antonio attorney Rene Barrientos (born January 25, 1954), but Barrientos withdrew from the race. His name, however, remained on the ballot, and he did some advertising. Zaffirini won the nomination, 108,572 votes (78.6 percent); Barrientos, 23,262 (21.4 percent).

In the November 6, 2012, general election, Zaffirini handily defeated the Republican candidate, Grant Elliot Rostig (born c. 1958) of Lockhart in Caldwell County, a supporter of the Ron Paul presidential campaign, 2012, who was endorsed by the Republican Liberty Caucus. Zaffirini received 129,894 votes (67.6 percent) to Rostig's 56,032 (29.2 percent). The remaining 3.2 percent of the vote went to the Libertarian nominee, Joseph Morse.

Legislative tenure

Zaffirini has a 100 percent voting record, having through 2013 cast more than fifty thousand consecutive votes since January 1987. She even once missed her son's graduation to maintain the record.

On January 9, 2007, Zaffirini became the second in seniority in the 31-member Texas Senate, of which she has been a member since 1987.

In 2011, Zaffirini voted against the state appropriations bill because it reduced funding for public education by $5.4 billion, including $1.4 billion for targeted programs, such as pre-kindergarten expansion grants, one of her favorite programs. In 2013, Zaffirini will push for the issuance of tuition revenue bonds to fund capital construction projects on state college and university campuses, including TAMIU in Laredo.

In 2012, Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst removed Zaffirini from the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Higher Education in favor of Kel Seliger, a Republican from Amarillo. Instead Zaffirini chairs the Senate Committee on Government Organization. She will remain a member of the higher education committee under Seliger and will continue as the co-chair of the Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance Excellence and Transparency. Zaffirini said that she will continue to influence higher education policy "but the only difference is that the gavel won't be in my hand."

In July 2013, Zaffirini joined her Democratic colleagues in voting against Republican-sponsored legislation which passed the Senate, 19 to 11, to reduce from twenty-six to twenty weeks of gestation the maximum time limit during which a woman can procure an abortion. Zaffirini, who is anti-abortion, describes the new law as not anti-abortion, per se, but one that limits a woman's access to health care and fails to address the question of unintended pregnancies. Zaffirini said that she does "not believe that an unborn child can feel pain at twenty weeks. Nevertheless that had nothing to do with my position. ..." Zaffirini said, "Like it or not abortion is the law of the land, and because it is we must insure that women have access to safe and legal abortions. If they do not, then they will resort to coat hangers and self-aborting and illegal abortions, and that is wrong." Opponents of the law, such as Senator Royce West of Dallas, vowed a court challenge.

On March 8, 2017, Zaffirini was the only dissenter in an eight-to-one vote of the Senate State Affairs Committee of the bathroom bill, Senate Bill 6, introduced by her Republican colleague, Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham and strongly pushed by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, the Republican presiding officer of the Senate. The bill would require persons to use public restrooms corresponding to their genitalia at birth. Strongly opposed by business and athletic interests, the measure is now pending before the Texas House of Representatives. Opponents of the measure have put their hopes in Moderate Republican Joe Straus of San Antonio, the House Speaker, who is known to be lukewarm or even hostile toward the measure.

In the 2017 legislative session, Zaffirini claimed her greatest numerical success record yet. Of the 168 bills that she introduced, 108 (64 percent) passed. Lawmakers introduced 6,631 bills but sent fewer, 1,211 (18 percent), to the governor than they have done since 1997 in the third year of the administration of Governor George W. Bush.

Zaffririni became the first female dean of the Texas Senate on December 30, 2023 when Sen. John Whitmire resigned.

Civil lawsuits

In July 2013, Zaffirini was twice sued in Bexar County for alleged "gross mismanagement" of an estate valued at $150 million. The sisters, Josefina Alexander Gonzalez (1914–2014) and Delfina E. Alexander (died 2008), together owned about one thousand acres in South Texas. Between 1995 and 2002, five companies were organized to develop the property, but some of the businesses have long been inactive. The sisters further formed the Delfina and Josephina Alexander Family Trust designed to pass the proceeds of the holdings to Gonzalez's daughter, Rocio G. Guerra, and Gonzalez's two grandchildren. The second suit alleges that Zaffirini and two co-defendants, David H. Arredondo and Clarissa N. Chapa, committed tax fraud, forged documents, and paid themselves excessive fees in the amount of $420,000 for management of the Alexander holdings. The defendants are also accused of withholding money from the trust. Zaffirini's attorney-husband, Carlos Zaffirini Sr., said that Guerra and her children, have tried to break the trust on four occasions and that the basic issue centers on squabbling among the heirs over the collection of the money. Josefina Alexander Gonzales died in December 2014, five days before her 100th birthday.

In August 2016, the longstanding case was resolved without going to trial. Zaffirini delivered $35 million in cash and land to three Alexander family trusts that benefit Rocio Guerra, Zaffirini's second cousin, and Guerra's two children. The three are the sole heirs to the Alexander estate. In return, Zaffirini will take control of nearly 450 acres of undeveloped real estate off Del Mar Boulevard. Zaffirini will continue to serve as an executor and trustee of certain entities of the Alexander estate.

Criticism of Donald Trump

On the occasion of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's visit to Laredo on July 23, 2015, Zaffrini wrote the lead column on the editorial page the next day in the Laredo Morning Times to question Trump's commitment to border issues.

Electoral history

Election history of Zaffirini since 1992.

2008

Texas General Election, 2008: Senate District 21
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent)	129,608	68.24
	Republican	Louis H. Bruni	55,363	29.15
	Libertarian	Barry L. Allison	4,966	2.61
Total votes			189,937	100.00

Democratic primary, 2008: Senate District 21
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent)	108,572	78.6
	Democratic	Rene Barrientos	23,262	21.4
Total votes			131,834	100.0

2004

Texas general election, 2004: Texas Senate, District 21
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent)	127,573	100.00
Total votes			127,573	100.00
	Democratic hold

Democratic primary, 2004: Senate District 21
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent)	62,960	78.65
	Democratic	Raymond Bruni	17,089	21.35
Total votes			80,049	100.00

2002

Texas general election, 2002: Senate District 21
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent)	95,644	89.11
	Libertarian	Jeff Carruthers	11,688	10.89
Total votes			107,332	100.00
	Democratic hold

2000

Texas general election, 2000: Senate District 21
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent)	106,089	66.46
	Republican	David Swift	53,547	33.54
Total votes			159,636	100.00
	Democratic hold

1996

Texas general election, 1996: Senate District 21
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent)	91,956	66.32
	Republican	James C. Whitworth	46,698	33.68
Total votes			138,654	100.00
	Democratic hold

1994

Texas general election, 1994: Senate District 21
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent)	71,029	68.53
	Republican	Fernando Cantu Jr.	32,624	31.47
Total votes			103,653	100.00
	Democratic hold

1992

Texas general election, 1992: Senate District 21
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent)	111,398	100.00
Total votes			111,398	100.00
	Democratic hold

References

^ Gore, Hogan (January 8, 2024). "The Texas Senate has its first female dean. What Sen. Judith Zaffirini hopes to accomplish". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
Odie Arambula, "Magazine names Zaffirini influential", Laredo Morning Times, October 13, 2008, p. 4A
Vaughn, Reese. "Women around Texas share their words of wisdom." The Victoria Advocate. August 30, 2002. 10E. Retrieved on February 4, 2012.
Jason Buch, "Laredoan of the year: Zaffirini recognized as education champion", Laredo Morning Times, January 1, 2009, p. 1
Alvarado, Celina (2007-12-18). "State senator given college's first-ever 'Beacon Award'". Laredo Morning Times. pp. 1, 13A.
"Associates | The Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press". www.wifp.org. Retrieved 2017-06-21.
"Bennie Bock, II". lrl.state.tx.us. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
Democratic primary returns, Laredo Morning Times, March 5, 2008, p. 1
Aguilar, Julian (2007-12-28). "Bruni becomes Republican in a bid to unseat Zaffirini". Laredo Morning Times. p. 1A, 13A.
Cortez, Tricia (2008-01-10). "Zaffirini foe quits". Laredo Morning Times. pp. 1, 12A.
"Grant Rostig for State Senator, District 21". grantrostig.com. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
"Texas general election returns, November 6, 2012". Texas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on December 5, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
Cortez, Tricia (2007-12-21). "Zaffirini's ready to run for her state senate seat". Laredo Morning Times. p. 3A.
"Texas Sen. Zaffirini casts 50,000th vote". Lubbock Avalanche Journal. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) (2002-09-13). "State Senate Candidates for 2002 General Election". Archived from the original on 2008-02-13. Retrieved 2006-12-27.
"Senator Zaffirini eyes education budget restoration", Laredo Morning Times, pp. 1J, 9J, January 27, 2013
JJ Velasquez, "Sen. Zaffirini out", Laredo Morning Times, October 5, 2012, pp. 1, 11A
^ "House Bill 2: Senator Zaffirini explains her position: Reduces women's health care access", Laredo Morning Times, July 14, 2013, pp. 1, 10A
"Republicans finally pass new abortion limits", Laredo Morning Times, July 14, 2013, p. 5A
Moritz, John C.. (March 8, 2017). "Bathroom bill clears first hurdle, awaits Senate vote". San Angelo Standard-Times. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
Gilbert Garcia, "Hopefuls must reject SB 6 on moral grounds", San Antonio Express-News, March 8, 2017, p. A2.
Andrea Zelinski, "More bills filed, fewer passed: of 6,631 introduced, 1,211 reached Abbott," San Antonio Express-News, June 3, 2017, p. A3.
Craig Kapitan, "Zaffrini named in suit: Plaintiffs claim gross mismanagement of family trust", Laredo Morning Times, July 20, 2013, pp. 1, 9A
"Josefina Alexander Gonzalez". joejackfonfuneralchapels.com. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
"Judith Zaffirini, David H. Arredondo and Clarissa N. Chapa, as Co–Trustees of the Exempt Trust of Rocio Gonzalez Guerra, Appellants, v. Rocio G. Guerra, Appellee". caselaw.findlaw.com. November 26, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
John MacCormack, "Zaffirini's family feud comes to end: Dispute focused on Laredo real estate," San Antonio Express-News, August 7, 2016, pp. 1, 22A
Judith Zaffirini, "Trump's visit should be a living lesson:, Laredo Morning Times, July 24, 2015, p. 4A
Uncontested primary elections are not shown.
"2008 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
"2008 Democratic Party Primary Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2007-03-04.
"2004 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
"2004 Democratic Party Primary Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
"2002 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
"2000 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
"1996 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
"1994 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
"1992 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2007-01-04.

External links

Profile at the Texas Senate
Judith Zaffirini for Texas Senate
Project Vote Smart - Senator Judith Zaffirini (TX) profile
Follow the Money - Judith Zaffirini
- 2006 2004 2002 2000 campaign contributions
Archived Texas Senate Profile

Texas Senate
Preceded byJohn Traeger	Texas State Senator from District 21 (Laredo) 1987-present	Incumbent

v t e Members of the Texas Senate
89th Texas Legislature (2025) President of the Senate Dan Patrick (R) President pro tempore Brandon Creighton (R)
▌Bryan Hughes (R) ▌Bob Hall (R) ▌Robert Nichols (R) ▌Brandon Creighton (R) ▌Charles Schwertner (R) ▌Carol Alvarado (D) ▌Paul Bettencourt (R) ▌Angela Paxton (R) ▌Kelly Hancock (R) ▌Phil King (R) ▌Mayes Middleton (R) ▌Tan Parker (R) ▌Borris Miles (D) ▌Sarah Eckhardt (D) ▌Molly Cook (D) ▌Nathan Johnson (D) ▌Joan Huffman (R) ▌Lois Kolkhorst (R) ▌Roland Gutierrez (D) ▌Juan Hinojosa (D) ▌Judith Zaffirini (D) ▌Brian Birdwell (R) ▌Royce West (D) ▌Pete Flores (R) ▌Donna Campbell (R) ▌Jose Menendez (D) ▌Morgan LaMantia (D) ▌Charles Perry (R) ▌Cesar Blanco (D) ▌Drew Springer (R) ▌Kevin Sparks (R)
▌Republican (19) ▌Democratic (12) Texas Legislature House Senate List of past legislatures

Members of the Texas Senate

89th Texas Legislature (2025)

President of the Senate: Dan Patrick (R)
President pro tempore: Brandon Creighton (R)

▌Bryan Hughes (R)
▌Bob Hall (R)
▌Robert Nichols (R)
▌Brandon Creighton (R)
▌Charles Schwertner (R)
▌Carol Alvarado (D)
▌Paul Bettencourt (R)
▌Angela Paxton (R)
▌Kelly Hancock (R)
▌Phil King (R)
▌Mayes Middleton (R)
▌Tan Parker (R)
▌Borris Miles (D)
▌Sarah Eckhardt (D)
▌Molly Cook (D)
▌Nathan Johnson (D)
▌Joan Huffman (R)
▌Lois Kolkhorst (R)
▌Roland Gutierrez (D)
▌Juan Hinojosa (D)
▌Judith Zaffirini (D)
▌Brian Birdwell (R)
▌Royce West (D)
▌Pete Flores (R)
▌Donna Campbell (R)
▌Jose Menendez (D)
▌Morgan LaMantia (D)
▌Charles Perry (R)
▌Cesar Blanco (D)
▌Drew Springer (R)
▌Kevin Sparks (R)

▌Republican (19)
▌Democratic (12)

Texas Women's Hall of Fame

1980s

1984	Christia Adair Kate Atkinson Bell Vivian Castleberry Lila Cockrell Clotilde Pérez García Jeane Porter Hester Oveta Culp Hobby Mary Evelyn Blagg Huey Sarah T. Hughes Lady Bird Johnson Barbara Jordan Amy Freeman Lee
1985	Benjy Frances Brooks Patricia Happ Buffler Liz Carpenter Grace Woodruff Cartwright Helen Farabee Maria Elena Flood Willie Lee Glass Lydia Mendoza Jenny Lind Porter Louise Raggio Ann Richards Edna Gardner Whyte
1986	Anne Armstrong Mary Kay Ash Caro Crawford Brown Alicia Chacon Jody Conradt Margaret Cousins Wilhelmina Ruth Delco Frances Goff Mary Lavinia Griffith May Owen Sally Ride Ada Simond Hermine Tobolowsky
1987	Lucy G. Acosta Ruth Sharp Altshuler Margaret Harris Amsler Johnnie Benson Tommie Clack Kim Dawson Lillian Dunlap Elithe Hamilton Kirkland Donna Lopiano Katie Sherrod Donnya Stephens Dora Dougherty Strother Mary Nan West
1988	Nancy Brinker Margaret Pease Harper Ninfa Laurenzo Lane Murray Louise Ritter Ruth Taubert Seeger Bert Kruger Smith Eleanor Tinsley
1989	Barbara Bush Judith Craven Gussie Nell Davis Margaret Swan Forbes L. Ruth Guy Terry Hershey Lucia Rede Madrid Jane Wetzel

1990s

1993	Linda Louise Craft Ernestine Glossbrenner Gabrielle Kirk McDonald Eleanor Montague Aaronetta Hamilton Pierce Gloria G. Rodriguez Annette Strauss
1994	Rosa Ramirez Guerrero Irma Rangel Mary Beth Rogers Bess Whitehead Scott Hallie Stillwell Francie Larrieu Smith Alvia Wardlaw Martha Wong Eleanor Anne Young
1996	Ebby Halliday Acers Rita Crocker Clements Zina Garrison Sybil Harrington Kay Bailey Hutchison Vassar Miller Helen Oujesky Ruby Lee Piester Dian Graves Stai S. Eva Singletary
1998	Norma Lea Beasley Shirley Thompson Carter Elizabeth Lyons Ghrist Kay Granger Dixie Melillo Diana Natalicio Marsha Sharp

2000s

2000	Tillie Burgin Carol Dinkins Anna Maria Farias Juliet V. García Glenna Goodacre Wendy Harpham Jinger L. Heath Dealey Herndon Mamie L. McKnight Jo Stewart Randel Judy Rankin
2002	Karen Hughes Mae Jemison Angela Murdaugh Ann Williams
2004	Susan Combs Trinidad Mendenhall Mary Meyers Rosenfield Sheryl Swoopes
2006	Amanda Dunbar Kathleen Foster Shirley Neeley Ellen Vitetta
2008	Elsa Murano Sandra Day O'Connor Carolyn Peterson Louise Hopkins Underwood Huda Zoghbi

2010s

2010	Nancy W. Dickey Erma Johnson Hadley Teresa Lozano Long Judy Castle Scott Pamela Willeford
2012	Barbara Smith Conrad Anne Corn Nina Godiwalla Harriet O'Neill Mary Saunders
2014	Nandita Berry Joanne Herring Kim Olson Anita Perry Ann Stuart Senfronia Thompson Deborah Tucker Carolyn Wright
2016	Emma Carter Browning Susie Hitchcock-Hall Ginger Kerrick Renu Khator Selena
2018	Simone Biles Laura Bush Vikki Carr Susan Dell Tammie Jo Shults Elizabeth Anne Sueltenfuss Judith Zaffirini

2020s

2021	Lauren Anderson Charlye O. Farris Dawn Ferrell Ofelia Vasquez-Philo Kendra Scott Elaine Stolte
2023	Leta Andrews Mary Horn Val LaMantia Opal Lee Lavinia Masters Antonietta Quigg Charlotte Sharp Elizabeth Suarez

Categories: