Judith Zaffirini
Full Name: Judith Lee ZaffiriniOther surnames: Pappas,
Terms of Service
| Chamber | District | Dates of Service | Legislatures | Party | City/County | Note | Counties in District |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 21 | Jan 10, 2023 - Jan 12, 2027 | 89th 88th (1) | Democrat | Laredo / Webb | Dean of the Senate. (88th) | Bexar, Caldwell, Dimmit, Duval, Guadalupe, Hays, Jim Hogg, Karnes, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, Starr, Travis, Webb, Wilson, Zapata |
| S | 21 | Jan 12, 2021 - Jan 10, 2023 | 87th (2) | Democrat | Laredo / Webb | Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Caldwell, Duval, Guadalupe, Hays, Jim Hogg, Karnes, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, San Patricio, Starr, Travis, Webb, Wilson, Zapata | |
| S | 21 | Jan 10, 2017 - Jan 12, 2021 | 86th 85th | Democrat | Laredo / Webb | Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Caldwell, Duval, Guadalupe, Hays, Jim Hogg, Karnes, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, San Patricio, Starr, Travis, Webb, Wilson, Zapata | |
| S | 21 | Jan 8, 2013 - Jan 10, 2017 | 84th 83rd (3) | Democrat | Laredo / Webb | Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Caldwell, Duval, Guadalupe, Hays, Jim Hogg, Karnes, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, San Patricio, Starr, Travis, Webb, Wilson, Zapata | |
| S | 21 | Jan 13, 2009 - Jan 8, 2013 | 82nd 81st | Democrat | Laredo / Webb | Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Jim Hogg, Karnes, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, San Patricio, Starr, Webb, Wilson, Zapata, Zavala | |
| S | 21 | Jan 11, 2005 - Jan 13, 2009 | 80th 79th | Democrat | Laredo / Webb | Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Jim Hogg, Karnes, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, San Patricio, Starr, Webb, Wilson, Zapata, Zavala | |
| S | 21 | Jan 14, 2003 - Jan 11, 2005 | 78th (4) | Democrat | Laredo / Webb | Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Jim Hogg, Karnes, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, San Patricio, Starr, Webb, Wilson, Zapata, Zavala | |
| S | 21 | Jan 9, 2001 - Jan 14, 2003 | 77th (5) | Democrat | Laredo / Webb | Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Comal, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Guadalupe, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, Starr, Uvalde, Webb, Wilson, Zapata, Zavala | |
| S | 21 | Jan 14, 1997 - Jan 9, 2001 | 76th 75th (6) | Democrat | Laredo / Webb | Senate President Pro Tempore (75th) | Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Comal, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Guadalupe, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, Starr, Uvalde, Webb, Wilson, Zapata, Zavala |
| S | 21 | Jan 10, 1995 - Jan 14, 1997 | 74th (7) | Democrat | Laredo / Webb | Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Comal, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Guadalupe, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, Starr, Uvalde, Webb, Wilson, Zapata, Zavala | |
| S | 21 | Jan 12, 1993 - Jan 10, 1995 | 73rd (8) (9) | Democrat | Laredo / Webb | Bexar, Brewster, Culberson, Dimmit, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kinney, La Salle, Maverick, Medina, Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb, Zavala | |
| S | 21 | Jan 8, 1991 - Jan 12, 1993 | 72nd (10) | Democrat | Laredo / Webb | Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Comal, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Guadalupe, Jim Hogg, Kinney, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, Maverick, Starr, Uvalde, Webb, Wilson, Zapata, Zavala | |
| S | 21 | Jan 13, 1987 - Jan 8, 1991 | 71st 70th | Democrat | Unknown / Webb | Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Comal, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Guadalupe, Jim Hogg, Kinney, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, Maverick, Starr, Uvalde, Webb, Wilson, Zapata, Zavala |
Terms of service footnotes
(1) 88th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/11/2023, SR 9, pp. 26-27. Drew 4-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(2) 2-year term; entire Senate went up for reelection in 2022 due to redistricting. Texas Constitution Art. III, §3, Election and term of office of Senators. ↩
(3) 83rd Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/23/2013, SR 36, pp. 81-82. Drew 4-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(4) 78th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/14/2003, SR 7, pp. 15-16. Drew 2-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(5) 2-year term; entire Senate went up for reelection in 2002 due to redistricting. Texas Constitution Art. III, §3, Election and term of office of Senators. ↩
(6) 75th Legislature - Senate President Pro Tempore, Regular Session, elected 1/14/1997. Senate Journal. ↩
(7) 74th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/11/1995, pp. 75-76. Drew 2-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(8) 73rd Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 3/25/1993, pp. 589-590. Drew 4-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(9) Due to redistricting litigation, entire Senate went up for reelection in 1994. See also Clips database, 4/6/1993 - 4/8/1993, Redistricting - Legislature; and Guide to 2001 Redistricting - Appendix A, 1990s Redistricting (Texas Legislative Council). Terrazas v. Slagle, 821 F.Supp. 1162 (April 5, 1993), 1993. ↩
(10) 2-year term; entire Senate went up for reelection in 1992 due to redistricting. Texas Constitution Art. III, §3, Election and term of office of Senators. ↩
Terms of Service
- Legislatures:
- 89th 88th (1)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Laredo / Webb
- Counties in district:
- Bexar, Caldwell, Dimmit, Duval, Guadalupe, Hays, Jim Hogg, Karnes, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, Starr, Travis, Webb, Wilson, Zapata
- Legislatures:
- 87th (2)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Laredo / Webb
- Counties in district:
- Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Caldwell, Duval, Guadalupe, Hays, Jim Hogg, Karnes, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, San Patricio, Starr, Travis, Webb, Wilson, Zapata
- Legislatures:
- 86th 85th
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Laredo / Webb
- Counties in district:
- Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Caldwell, Duval, Guadalupe, Hays, Jim Hogg, Karnes, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, San Patricio, Starr, Travis, Webb, Wilson, Zapata
- Legislatures:
- 84th 83rd (3)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Laredo / Webb
- Counties in district:
- Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Caldwell, Duval, Guadalupe, Hays, Jim Hogg, Karnes, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, San Patricio, Starr, Travis, Webb, Wilson, Zapata
- Legislatures:
- 82nd 81st
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Laredo / Webb
- Counties in district:
- Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Jim Hogg, Karnes, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, San Patricio, Starr, Webb, Wilson, Zapata, Zavala
- Legislatures:
- 80th 79th
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Laredo / Webb
- Counties in district:
- Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Jim Hogg, Karnes, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, San Patricio, Starr, Webb, Wilson, Zapata, Zavala
- Legislatures:
- 78th (4)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Laredo / Webb
- Counties in district:
- Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Jim Hogg, Karnes, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, San Patricio, Starr, Webb, Wilson, Zapata, Zavala
- Legislatures:
- 77th (5)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Laredo / Webb
- Counties in district:
- Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Comal, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Guadalupe, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, Starr, Uvalde, Webb, Wilson, Zapata, Zavala
- Legislatures:
- 76th 75th (6)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Laredo / Webb
- Counties in district:
- Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Comal, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Guadalupe, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, Starr, Uvalde, Webb, Wilson, Zapata, Zavala
- Legislatures:
- 74th (7)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Laredo / Webb
- Counties in district:
- Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Comal, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Guadalupe, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, Starr, Uvalde, Webb, Wilson, Zapata, Zavala
- Legislatures:
- 72nd (10)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Laredo / Webb
- Counties in district:
- Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Comal, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Guadalupe, Jim Hogg, Kinney, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, Maverick, Starr, Uvalde, Webb, Wilson, Zapata, Zavala
- Legislatures:
- 71st 70th
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Unknown / Webb
- Counties in district:
- Atascosa, Bee, Bexar, Comal, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Guadalupe, Jim Hogg, Kinney, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, Maverick, Starr, Uvalde, Webb, Wilson, Zapata, Zavala
Terms of service notes
(1) 88th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/11/2023, SR 9, pp. 26-27. Drew 4-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(2) 2-year term; entire Senate went up for reelection in 2022 due to redistricting. Texas Constitution Art. III, §3, Election and term of office of Senators. ↩
(3) 83rd Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/23/2013, SR 36, pp. 81-82. Drew 4-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(4) 78th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/14/2003, SR 7, pp. 15-16. Drew 2-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(5) 2-year term; entire Senate went up for reelection in 2002 due to redistricting. Texas Constitution Art. III, §3, Election and term of office of Senators. ↩
(6) 75th Legislature - Senate President Pro Tempore, Regular Session, elected 1/14/1997. Senate Journal. ↩
(7) 74th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/11/1995, pp. 75-76. Drew 2-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(8) 73rd Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 3/25/1993, pp. 589-590. Drew 4-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(9) Due to redistricting litigation, entire Senate went up for reelection in 1994. See also Clips database, 4/6/1993 - 4/8/1993, Redistricting - Legislature; and Guide to 2001 Redistricting - Appendix A, 1990s Redistricting (Texas Legislative Council). Terrazas v. Slagle, 821 F.Supp. 1162 (April 5, 1993), 1993. ↩
(10) 2-year term; entire Senate went up for reelection in 1992 due to redistricting. Texas Constitution Art. III, §3, Election and term of office of Senators. ↩
Biographical Information
- 70th Legislature, R.S., HCR 122. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
- 70th Legislature, R.S., SR 65. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
- 71st Legislature, R.S., HR 230. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
- 71st Legislature, R.S., SR 112. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
- 73rd Legislature, R.S., SR 230. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
- 83rd Legislature, R.S., SR 973, recognizing Senator Judith Zaffirini on the occasion of her 50,000th consecutive vote in the Senate. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
- 86th Legislature, R.S., SR 685. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
- 89th Legislature, HR 46. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
- Mentioned in 74th Legislature, R.S., HCR 122, recognizing the 100th anniversary of the first female legislators. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
- Mentioned in biographical sketch of Cyndi Taylor Krier, first Republican and first female state senator from Bexar County. With Judith Zaffirini, 70th Legislature (1987) was first in Texas history with more than one woman senator. Capitol Women: Texas Female Legislators, 1923-1999, 2000.
- Photo and biographical sketch, pp. 233-235. First Latina elected to Texas Senate and first woman elected to the Texas Legislature from Laredo. First woman since Barbara Jordan to chair a Senate committee. Capitol Women: Texas Female Legislators, 1923-1999, 2000.
- Biographical sketch and photo, "Governor Abbott Announces 2018 Texas Women's Hall of Fame Honorees," 10/23/2018. Governor Greg Abbott.
- Biographical sketch, "From Government and Education to Business and Civic Leadership: The Honorable Judith Zaffirini: Leadership," Volume IV, Number 51, March 1999. First Hispanic woman Senator in Texas. Hispanic Journal.
- Photo and biographical sketch, Hispanic Journal, 2000 Legislative Guide, 2000.
- Biographical sketch and commemoration of 15,000th vote in the Texas Senate, "15,000 and Still Counting: The Tireless Texan," by Dianna Gordon, July/August 1997, pp. 15-16. State Legislatures.
- Biographical sketch included in Tejano Struggle for Representation, 2004.
- Biographical sketch, "Key Legislators Influence Dental Legislation," January 1995, p. 26. Texas Dental Journal.
- Biographical sketch, "Movers and Shakers: Meet the Legislators Who Make the Decisions About Public Education," March 1995, pp. 13-17. Texas Lone Star.
- Legislative profile, 74th Legislature, 1995. "Scenes From the 74th: The Laney-Bush Session," 6/16/1995. Texas Observer.
- Biographical sketch, 82nd Legislature. Texas Senate.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 70th Legislature, 1987.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 71st Legislature, 1989.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 72nd Legislature, 1991.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 77th Legislative Session, 2001.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 73rd Legislature, 1993.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 74th Legislature, 1995.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 75th Legislature, 1997.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 76th Legislative Session, 1999.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 78th Legislative Session, 2003.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 79th Legislative Session, 2005.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 80th Legislative Session, 2007.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 81st Legislative Session, 2009.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 82nd Legislative Session, 2011.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 83rd Legislative Session, 2013.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 84th Legislature, 2015.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 85th Legislature, 2017.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 86th Legislature, 2019.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 87th Legislature, 2021.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 88th Legislature, 2023.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 89th Legislature, 2025.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Women of the Texas Senate, 2019.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Women of the Texas Senate, 2017.
- Biographical sketch and photo, Women of the Texas Senate. Women's Suffrage in Texas: Struggle, the Story: Successes, Notable Firsts: Senators, Women of the Texas Senate, 2019.
- "Distinguished Alumna is First Female Dean of the Texas Senate," 1/8/2024. The Alcalde.
- "Lawmaker Legend Grows with Bill Passing Record as Democrats Widen Legislation Production Leads," Best of the Texas Legislature 2015, by Mike Hailey, 6/15/2015. Capitol Inside.
- Photo, mentioned in Minority Civil Rights and the Texas Legislature, 2018.
- Interview with Senator Judith Zaffirini, "Texas Senator Breaks Records in Bipartisan Style," Across the Aisle podcast and transcript, 1/28/2024. National Conference of State Legislatures.
- "Senator Zaffirini Casts 60,000th Consecutive Vote," photo, 8/13/2017. Texas Senate.
- "Zaffirini Casts 70,000th Consecutive Vote in Texas Senate," photo of Senator Judith Zaffirini and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, 5/10/2023. Texas Senate.
- Judith Zaffirini. Texas State Cemetery.
- Photograph. Judith Zaffirini, 86th Legislature, Texas Senate
- Photograph. Judith Zaffirini, 85th Legislature, Texas Senate
- Photograph. Judith Zaffirini, 84th Legislature, Texas Senate
- Photograph. Judith Zaffirini, 82nd Legislature, Texas Senate
- Photograph. Judith Zaffirini, 81st Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. Judith Zaffirini, 80th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. Judith Zaffirini, 79th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. Judith Zaffirini, 78th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. Judith Zaffirini, 77th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. Judith Zaffirini, 76th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. Judith Zaffirini, 75th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. Judith Zaffirini, 74th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. Judith Zaffirini, 73rd Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. Judith Zaffirini, 72nd Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. Judith Zaffirini, 71st Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. Judith Zaffirini, 70th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- 70th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
- 71st session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
- 72nd session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
- 73rd session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
- 74th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
- 75th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
- 76th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
- 77th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
- 78th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
- 79th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
- 80th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
- 81st session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
- 82nd session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
- 83rd session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
- 84th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.L2). State Preservation Board.
- 85th session composite photo of Senate members (Senate chamber, west wall. 2E.8). State Preservation Board.
- 86th session composite photo of Senate members (Senate chamber, west wall. 2E.8). State Preservation Board.
- 87th session composite photo of Senate members(Senate chamber, west wall. 2E.8). State Preservation Board.
- 88th session composite photo of Senate members(Senate chamber, west wall. 2E.8). State Preservation Board.
Committee Information
Senate Committees
- Business and Commerce
- Finance
- Natural Resources (Vice Chair)
- State Affairs
Senate Committees
Senate Committees
Senate Committees
- Administration
- Business and Commerce
- Election Security, Select
- Natural Resources and Economic Development (Vice Chair)
- State Affairs
Joint Committees
Senate Committees
- Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs (Vice Chair)
- Health and Human Services
- Natural Resources and Economic Development
- Natural Resources and Economic Development Subcommittee
- State Affairs
Joint Committees
Senate Committees
- Administration
- Finance
- Government Organization (Chair)
- Health and Human Services
- Higher Education
- Natural Resources
- Redistricting, Select
- Transportation Funding, Expenditures, and Finance, Select
Joint Committees
Senate Committees
- Administration
- Committee of the Whole Senate
- Economic Development
- Finance
- Finance Subcommittee on Fiscal Matters
- Finance Subcommittee on Higher Education Funding
- Finance Subcommittee on Medicaid
- Government Organization (Chair)
- Health and Human Services
- Higher Education (Chair)
- Redistricting, Select
Joint Committees
Senate Committees
- Administration
- Committee of the Whole Senate
- Economic Development
- Finance
- Health and Human Services
- Higher Education (Chair)
- Redistricting, Select
Joint Committees
Senate Committees
- Administration
- Committee of the Whole Senate
- Education
- Education Subcommittee on Higher Education (Chair)
- Finance (Vice Chair)
- Finance Subcommittee on Higher Education (Chair)
- Health and Human Services
Joint Committees
Senate Committees
Senate Committees
- Administration
- Committee of the Whole Senate
- Education (Vice Chair)
- Finance
- Prompt Payment of Health Care Providers, Special
- Redistricting, Special
Joint Committees
- Health Services, Interim (Co-Chair)
Senate Committees
- Border Affairs, Special
- Committee of the Whole Senate
- Education
- Education Subcommittee on Higher Education
- Human Services (Chair)
Joint Committees
Senate Committees
- Education
- Education, Interim
- Finance
- Funding Issues in Education, Interim
- Health and Human Services (Chair)
- Health and Human Services, Interim (Chair)
- Legislative and Congressional Redistricting, Committee of the Whole Senate
Joint Committees
Senate Committees
- Committee of the Whole on Redistricting, Special
- Committee of the Whole on Redistricting, Special, Subcommittee on Legislative Districts
- Education
- Finance
- Health and Human Services
- Health and Human Services Subcommittee on Health Services (Chair)
- Health and Human Services, Interim
- Natural Resources
- Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water
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