Senator Judith Zaffirini

Senator Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) represents the 21st Senatorial District. The second highest-ranking Texas state senator, she also is the highest-ranking woman and Hispanic senator and the highest-ranking senator for Bexar County and the border region. In 2004 she was re-elected with 79 percent of the district-wide vote, her sixth landslide victory in which she carried all counties in the large and diverse district—something no one else ever has accomplished.

In 2007 Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst appointed Senator Zaffirini Chair of the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee, Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, and in 2008 he appointed her to the newly created Chair of Finance Higher Education Subcommittee.  A member of the Senate’s Education, Health and Human Services, and Administration Committees, Senator Zaffirini is the first Hispanic woman senator in Texas and to serve as President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate and as Governor for a Day. She has served three consecutive terms as Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, seven terms on the Appropriations Conference Committee, eight terms on the Senate Committee on Finance, and ten terms on the Senate Committee on Education.

Senator Zaffirini's legendary work ethic is reflected in her 100 percent perfect attendance in the Texas Senate since 1987, except for breaking quorum deliberately to prevent an untimely redistricting that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled (2006) violated the Voting Rights Act and disenfranchised voters in SD 21. Continuing her unique career-long 100 percent voting record since 1987, Senator Zaffirini cast her 38,530th consecutive vote in 2007. She has sponsored and passed 581 bills and 51 substantive resolutions and co-sponsored and passed another 278 bills. Her legislative priorities include improving public education, higher education and health and human services.

Senator Zaffirini has received almost 600 awards and honors for her legislative, public service, and professional work, including 100 in communications. Her 2008 awards include the "Elected Official of the Year" award from the Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce for her support during the 80th Legislative Session; "The Best of the Texas Senate" award from the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) for her support of the men and women of Texas law enforcement; and eight awards from the Press Women of Texas Association.  She was named "Long Term Care Champion" from the Texas Health Care Association and "Early Care and Education Champion" from the Texas Licensed Health Care Association for her continued support in both organizations. She was honored as the first female Texas state senator from Laredo with the "Laredo's Firsts" Award from the Laredo First United Methodist Church. Additionally, Senator Zaffirini received two "Best in Texas Merit Awards" from the Texas Public Relations Association and was named La Señora Internacional by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) for her outstanding public service career and leadership in establishing legislation that benefits young children's health and early education.

Dr. Zaffirini is an award-winning communication specialist with 13 years of teaching experience, including at the college and university levels. Through her business, Zaffirini Communications, she provides professional communication services, including consulting, workshops and seminars, one-on-one coaching, keynote addresses, and writing. A distinguished communicator, educator, and leader, she holds B.S., M.A., and PhD degrees from The University of Texas at Austin, each with a 3.9 grade-point average. 

Judith and Carlos Zaffirini have been married for 43 years and have a 26-year-old son, Carlos Jr., a graduate of the UT McCombs School of Business and the UT School of Law.