Occupation: Communications Specialist; 13 years of teaching experience
Education: The University of Texas at Austin, B.S., M.A., Ph.D.; University of Houston; Laredo Junior College
Legislative Experience: Senate Member, 1987 - present
Hometown: Laredo
Party: Democrat

Senator Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) represents the 21st Senatorial District. The first Hispanic woman elected to the Texas Senate, she is the second highest-ranking senator and the highest-ranking woman and Hispanic senator. In 2012 she was re-elected in an eighth landslide victory with 68 percent in a district that stretches from the Rio Grande to the Colorado River and to the Port of Corpus Christi and the Valley.

Senator Zaffirini is Chair of the Government Organization Committee and served as Chair of Higher Education (2006-2012) and as Chair of Health and Human Services (1993-2000). She also is a member of the Legislative Budget Board and of the Senate Finance, Higher Education, Health and Human Services, Economic Development, and Administration committees. The first Hispanic woman to serve as President Pro Tempore of the Texas Senate and as Governor for a Day, she also served seven terms on the Appropriations Conference Committee, 10 terms on the Senate Finance Committee, and 10 terms on the Senate Education Committee.

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 re-redistricting that the U.S. Supreme Court (2006) ruled violated the Voting Rights Act and disenfranchised voters in SD 21. Continuing her career-long 100 percent voting record, Senator Zaffirini has cast 47,584 consecutive votes as of 2011. She has sponsored and passed 725 bills and 52 substantive resolutions and co-sponsored and passed another 384 bills. A member of the Energy Council since 2009, she is particularly active in addressing opportunities and challenges presented by the Eagle Ford Shale.

Senator Zaffirini has received more than 670 awards and honors for her legislative, public service, and professional work, including more than 160 in communication. Her 2011 awards include being named to the "All Decades Teams" for the 2000s and the 1990s by Capitol Inside and a Hero of Hope by the Laredo Morning Times. She received the "People's Friend: Lord's Work Award" from the Texas Observer and the inaugural "Subiendo Leadership Award" from The University of Texas at Austin, which also named her a Distinguished Alumna in 2003. 2011 marked the fourth time that Texas Monthly named Senator Zaffirini one of Texas' "10 Best Legislators." It also included her in 2005, 2001 and 1997; gave her the "Bull of the Brazos" award in 2009 and an "Honorable Mention" in 2003. Interestingly, she was named Sister Judith, an Honorary Nun, by the Sisters of Mercy and Mercy Ministries and Mr. South Texas by the Washington's Birthday Celebration Association. She is the namesake of Laredo Community College's Senator Judith Zaffirini Library and Texas A&M International University's Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center, as well as of the Senator Judith Zaffirini Road and Senator Judith Zaffirini Elementary School in Laredo and the AAMA Judith Zaffirini Residential Center in Edinburg.

Additionally, in 2012 Senator Zaffirini received 21 awards from the Press Women of Texas and four awards from the National Federation of Press Women, organizations that have recognized her communications expertise repeatedly with awards for her publications, speeches, and public relations campaigns. Her son, Carlos Jr., endowed a scholarship in her name at The University of Texas at Austin, as did the Beaumont Foundation at Texas A&M International University.

Dr. Zaffirini is an award-winning communication specialist with 13 years of teaching experience, including at the college and university levels. The South Texas Press Association honored her for her distinguished career in journalism and public service. 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 UT-Austin, each with a 3.9 grade-point average.

A lector at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and member of the Texas Philosophical Society and of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, her professional memberships include the Texas Press Women, Texas Public Relations Association, International Communication Association, Speech Communication Association and Association for Borderlands Studies. Judith and Carlos Zaffirini have been married for 47 years. Carlos Jr. is an attorney and businessman.

Special Events

January 26, 2005: Texas Legislative Educational Forum on Stem Cell Research (video)

Newsletter

NEW: Senator Judith Zaffirini Reports to the Families of District 21 (2012-2013, pdf 3.9 MB)

Senator Judith Zaffirini Reports to the Families of District 21 (2011-2012, pdf 3.1 MB)

Senator Judith Zaffirini Reports to the Families of District 21 (2010-2011, pdf 2.8 MB)

Senator Judith Zaffirini Reports to the Families of District 21 (2009-2010, pdf 3.7MB)

Senator Judith Zaffirini Reports to the Families of District 21 (2008-2009, pdf 3.2MB)

Senator Judith Zaffirini Reports to the Families of District 21 (2007-2008, pdf 2.8MB)

Senator Judith Zaffirini Reports to the Families of District 21 (2006-2007, pdf 3.6MB)

Senator Judith Zaffirini Reports to the Families of District 21 (2005, pdf 908kb)

Press Room
[Press Archives: 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 |2002 | 2001 | 1998]

May 17, 2013
Senator Zaffirini Extends Unique Voting Record, Casts 50,000th Consecutive Vote

May 07, 2013
Senator Zaffirini Recognizes Caldwell County Day at State Capitol

April 26, 2013
Texas Senate Passes Senator Zaffirini's Legislation Improving State Contracting and Procurement

April 23, 2013
Texas Senate Authorizes $2.4 Billion in Tuition Revenue Bonds for 60 Higher Ed Construction Projects

April 22, 2013
Senate Finance Committee Considers Senator Zaffirini's Bill Providing Funding for Eagle Ford Shale Roads

[ MORE ... ]

E-Mail Form

Office Information

83rd Session Committee Membership

• Government Organization — Chair
• Joint Committee on Oversight of Higher Education Governance, Excellence & Transparency — Co-Vice-Chair
• Administration
• Finance
• Health & Human Services
• Higher Education

District Analysis: District 21

Click the map to view a detailed district map in PDF format

District Profile: Population, Households, Education, Employment, Income and Analysis Population Analysis Precinct and Districts Cities and Census Designated Places School Districts General Election Analysis