John Whitmire
Full Name: John H. WhitmireTerms of Service
| Chamber | District | Dates of Service | Legislatures | Party | City/County | Note | Counties in District |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 15 | Jan 10, 2023 - Dec 31, 2023 | 88th (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) | Democrat | Houston / Harris | Dean of the Senate. (88th) | Harris |
| S | 15 | Jan 8, 2019 - Jan 10, 2023 | 87th 86th | Democrat | Houston / Harris |
Dean of the Senate. (87th)
Dean of the Senate. (86th) |
Harris |
| S | 15 | Jan 13, 2015 - Jan 8, 2019 | 85th 84th | Democrat | Houston / Harris |
Dean of the Senate. (85th)
Dean of the Senate. (84th) |
Harris |
| S | 15 | Jan 8, 2013 - Jan 13, 2015 | 83rd (6) | Democrat | Houston / Harris | Dean of the Senate. (83rd) | Harris |
| S | 15 | Jan 11, 2011 - Jan 8, 2013 | 82nd (7) | Democrat | Houston / Harris | Dean of the Senate. (82nd) | Harris |
| S | 15 | Jan 9, 2007 - Jan 11, 2011 | 81st 80th | Democrat | Houston / Harris |
Dean of the Senate. (81st)
Dean of the Senate. (80th) |
Harris |
| S | 15 | Jan 14, 2003 - Jan 9, 2007 | 79th 78th (8) | Democrat | Houston / Harris |
Dean of the Senate. (79th)
Dean of the Senate. (78th) |
Harris |
| S | 15 | Jan 9, 2001 - Jan 14, 2003 | 77th (9) | Democrat | Houston / Harris | Harris | |
| S | 15 | Jan 14, 1997 - Jan 9, 2001 | 76th 75th | Democrat | Houston / Harris | Harris | |
| S | 15 | Jan 10, 1995 - Jan 14, 1997 | 74th (10) | Democrat | Houston / Harris | Harris | |
| S | 15 | Jan 12, 1993 - Jan 10, 1995 | 73rd (11) (12) (13) | Democrat | Houston / Harris | Senate President Pro Tempore (73rd) | Harris |
| S | 15 | Jan 8, 1991 - Jan 12, 1993 | 72nd (14) | Democrat | Houston / Harris | Harris | |
| S | 15 | Jan 13, 1987 - Jan 8, 1991 | 71st 70th | Democrat | Houston / Harris | Harris | |
| S | 15 | Jan 11, 1983 - Jan 13, 1987 | 69th 68th (15) | Democrat | Houston / Harris | Harris | |
| H | 82 | Jan 13, 1981 - Jan 11, 1983 | 67th | Democrat | Houston / Harris | Harris | |
| H | 82 | Jan 9, 1979 - Jan 13, 1981 | 66th | Democrat | Houston / Harris | Harris | |
| H | 82 | Jan 11, 1977 - Jan 9, 1979 | 65th | Democrat | Houston / Harris | Harris | |
| H | 82 | Jan 14, 1975 - Jan 11, 1977 | 64th | Democrat | Houston / Harris | Harris | |
| H | 82 | Jan 9, 1973 - Jan 14, 1975 | 63rd | Democrat | Houston / Harris | Harris |
Terms of service footnotes
(1) Sworn in as Mayor of Houston on 1/1/2024, "Mayor Whitmire Officially Sworn In During Private Ceremony," 1/1/2024. City of Houston. ↩
(2) Proclamation, 1/18/2024, ordering special election in Senate District 15 on 5/4/2024 to serve out unexpired term of John Whitmire. Governor Greg Abbott. ↩
(3) 88th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/11/2023, SR 9, pp. 26-27. Drew 2-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(4) Molly Cook, in special election 5/4/2024, sworn 5/16/2024, succeeded unexpired term of John Whitmire, resigned 12/31/2023. Texas Secretary of State - Election Results, 2019-. ↩
(5) Resignation letter to Governor Abbott dated 12/29/2023, effective 12/31/2023 at 10:00 p.m. Texas Senate. ↩
(6) 83rd Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/23/2013, SR 36, pp. 81-82. Drew 2-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(7) 2-year term; entire Senate went up for reelection in 2012 due to redistricting. Texas Constitution Art. III, §3, Election and term of office of Senators. ↩
(8) 78th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/14/2003, SR 7, pp. 15-16. Drew 4-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(9) 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. ↩
(10) 74th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/11/1995, pp. 75-76. Drew 2-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(11) 73rd Legislature - Senate President Pro Tempore, Ad Interim R.S., elected 5/31/1993. Senate Journal. ↩
(12) 73rd Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 3/25/1993, pp. 589-590. Drew 4-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(13) 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. ↩
(14) 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. ↩
(15) 68th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 3/17/1983, p. 495. Drew 4-year term (also see message from President, p. 467). Senate Journal. ↩
Terms of Service
- Legislatures:
- 87th 86th
- Leadership role:
-
Dean of the Senate. (87th)
Dean of the Senate. (86th)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Houston / Harris
- Counties in district:
- Harris
- Legislatures:
- 85th 84th
- Leadership role:
-
Dean of the Senate. (85th)
Dean of the Senate. (84th)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Houston / Harris
- Counties in district:
- Harris
- Legislatures:
- 83rd (6)
- Leadership role:
-
Dean of the Senate. (83rd)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Houston / Harris
- Counties in district:
- Harris
- Legislatures:
- 82nd (7)
- Leadership role:
-
Dean of the Senate. (82nd)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Houston / Harris
- Counties in district:
- Harris
- Legislatures:
- 81st 80th
- Leadership role:
-
Dean of the Senate. (81st)
Dean of the Senate. (80th)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Houston / Harris
- Counties in district:
- Harris
- Legislatures:
- 79th 78th (8)
- Leadership role:
-
Dean of the Senate. (79th)
Dean of the Senate. (78th)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Houston / Harris
- Counties in district:
- Harris
- Legislatures:
- 77th (9)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Houston / Harris
- Counties in district:
- Harris
- Legislatures:
- 76th 75th
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Houston / Harris
- Counties in district:
- Harris
- Legislatures:
- 74th (10)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Houston / Harris
- Counties in district:
- Harris
- Legislatures:
- 73rd (11) (12) (13)
- Leadership role:
-
Senate President Pro Tempore (73rd)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Houston / Harris
- Counties in district:
- Harris
- Legislatures:
- 72nd (14)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Houston / Harris
- Counties in district:
- Harris
- Legislatures:
- 71st 70th
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Houston / Harris
- Counties in district:
- Harris
- Legislatures:
- 69th 68th (15)
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Houston / Harris
- Counties in district:
- Harris
- Legislatures:
- 67th
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Houston / Harris
- Counties in district:
- Harris
- Legislatures:
- 66th
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Houston / Harris
- Counties in district:
- Harris
- Legislatures:
- 65th
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Houston / Harris
- Counties in district:
- Harris
- Legislatures:
- 64th
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Houston / Harris
- Counties in district:
- Harris
- Legislatures:
- 63rd
- Party:
- Democrat
- Home City/County:
- Houston / Harris
- Counties in district:
- Harris
Terms of service notes
(1) Sworn in as Mayor of Houston on 1/1/2024, "Mayor Whitmire Officially Sworn In During Private Ceremony," 1/1/2024. City of Houston. ↩
(2) Proclamation, 1/18/2024, ordering special election in Senate District 15 on 5/4/2024 to serve out unexpired term of John Whitmire. Governor Greg Abbott. ↩
(3) 88th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/11/2023, SR 9, pp. 26-27. Drew 2-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(4) Molly Cook, in special election 5/4/2024, sworn 5/16/2024, succeeded unexpired term of John Whitmire, resigned 12/31/2023. Texas Secretary of State - Election Results, 2019-. ↩
(5) Resignation letter to Governor Abbott dated 12/29/2023, effective 12/31/2023 at 10:00 p.m. Texas Senate. ↩
(6) 83rd Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/23/2013, SR 36, pp. 81-82. Drew 2-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(7) 2-year term; entire Senate went up for reelection in 2012 due to redistricting. Texas Constitution Art. III, §3, Election and term of office of Senators. ↩
(8) 78th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/14/2003, SR 7, pp. 15-16. Drew 4-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(9) 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. ↩
(10) 74th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/11/1995, pp. 75-76. Drew 2-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(11) 73rd Legislature - Senate President Pro Tempore, Ad Interim R.S., elected 5/31/1993. Senate Journal. ↩
(12) 73rd Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 3/25/1993, pp. 589-590. Drew 4-year term. Senate Journal. ↩
(13) 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. ↩
(14) 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. ↩
(15) 68th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 3/17/1983, p. 495. Drew 4-year term (also see message from President, p. 467). Senate Journal. ↩
Biographical Information
- 67th Legislature, 2nd C.S., HR 63. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
- 69th Legislature, 2nd C.S., SR 8. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
- 72nd Legislature, 1st C.S., SR 262. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
- 83rd Legislature, R.S., SR 9, recognizing Senator John Whitmire, Dean of the Texas Senate, for his 40 years of outstanding service in the Texas Legislature. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
- Biographical sketch, photos, program. Senator John Whitmire, November 19, 1994, G750 94-11. Governor for a Day.
- 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, 68th Legislature, 1983.
- Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 69th Legislature, 1985.
- 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.
- "The Correctionists," November 2010. Profile of Representative Jerry Madden and Senator John Whitmire, both named 2010 Public Officials of the Year by Governing magazine for their work in corrections reform; interviews. Governing.
- Whitmire is "the longest-serving state senator in Texas and the nation." "State Senator Calls for Inquiry Into Judge in Sex Offender Case," 1/1/2015. Houston Chronicle.
- Delegate to the Texas Constitutional Convention, 1974. Record of Proceedings, Texas Constitutional Convention: Official Journals, January 8 - July 30, 1974, 1975.
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 86th Legislature, Texas Senate
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 82nd Legislature, Texas Senate
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 80th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 79th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 78th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 77th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 76th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 75th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 74th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 73rd Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 72nd Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 71st Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 70th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 69th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 68th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 67th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 66th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 65th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. John Whitmire, 64th Legislature, State Preservation Board
- Photograph. John H. Whitmire, 63rd Legislature, State Preservation Board
- 68th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, west wall. GE.L1). State Preservation Board.
- 69th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). 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.
- 63rd session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.C1). State Preservation Board.
- 64th session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.C1). State Preservation Board.
- 65th session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.L1). State Preservation Board.
- 66th session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.L1). State Preservation Board.
- 67th session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.L1). 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
- Criminal Justice (Chair)
- Finance
Senate Committees
Senate Committees
Senate Committees
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- Finance
- Violence in Schools & School Security, Select
Joint Committees
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Joint Committees
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- Administration
- Business and Commerce
- Criminal Justice (Chair)
- Finance
- Finance Subcommittee on Fiscal Matters
Joint Committees
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- Administration
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- Finance
- Finance Subcommittee on Articles VI and VII
- Finance Subcommittee on Medicaid
- Finance Subcommittee on Public Safety (Chair)
- Government Organization
Joint Committees
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- Administration
- Committee of the Whole Senate
- Criminal Justice (Chair)
- Finance
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Joint Committees
Senate Committees
- Administration
- Committee of the Whole Senate
- Criminal Justice (Chair)
- Finance
- Finance Subcommittee on General Government Issues
- Government Organization
Joint Committees
Senate Committees
Senate Committees
- Administration
- Committee of the Whole Senate
- Criminal Justice (Chair)
- Finance
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Joint Committees
Senate Committees
- Committee of the Whole Senate
- Criminal Justice (Vice Chair)
- Finance
- Intergovernmental Relations
- State Employee Compensation and Benefits, Special
Joint Committees
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- Committee of the Whole Senate
- Criminal Justice (Chair)
- Intergovernmental Relations
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- Redistricting, Ethics and Elections, Committee of the Whole Senate, Special
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Joint Committees
Senate Committees
- Committee of the Whole Senate
- Creation and Expansion of Minority and Women-Owned Business Ownership Opportunities, Special Advisory
- Economic Development
- Health and Human Services
- Health and Human Services Subcommittee on Health Services (Vice Chair)
- Intergovernmental Relations
- Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee on Urban Affairs (Chair)
Senate Committees
- Committee of the Whole Senate
- Health and Human Services
- Health and Human Services Subcommittee on Health Services (Vice Chair)
- Implementation of the Agricultural Hazard Communication Act
- Intergovernmental Relations
- Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee on Urban Affairs (Chair)
- Natural Resources
- Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water
- Workfare, Special, Interim
Joint Committees
Senate Committees
- Committee of the Whole Senate
- Health and Human Resources
- Health and Human Resources Subcommittee on Elder Abuse
- Health and Human Resources Subcommittee on Health Services (Vice Chair)
- Intergovernmental Relations
- Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee on Urban Affairs (Vice Chair)
- Jurisprudence
- Natural Resources
Joint Committees
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- Administration
- Committee of the Whole Senate
- Committee of the Whole Senate, Subcommittee on Educational Quality
- Health and Human Resources
- Health and Human Resources Subcommittee on Public Health (Vice Chair)
- Human Resources
- Human Resources Subcommittee on Public Health (Vice Chair)
- Hunger and Nutrition, Interim
- Intergovernmental Relations
Joint Committees
House Committees
House Committees
- Appropriations
- Business and Industry (Vice Chair - Appropriative Matters)
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