Occupation: Attorney
Education: University of Houston, B.A.; Bates College of Law, University of Houston
Legislative Experience: House Member, 1973 - 1982; Senate Member, 1983 - present
Hometown: Houston
Party: Democrat

Senator John Whitmire represents the 15th Senatorial District comprised of north Houston and parts of Harris County. He was elected to the Texas Senate in 1982 after serving 10 years in the Texas House of Representatives. With over 27 years of service in the Texas Senate, Senator Whitmire ranks first in seniority and is the "Dean of the Texas Senate."

Senator Whitmire serves as Chair of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee and works to bring about needed changes to the adult and juvenile criminal justice systems. He is also a member of the Senate Government Organization Committee and the Senate Administration Committee. In addition, he serves as a member of the Senate Finance Committee where he is committed to finding appropriate solutions for funding the state's many agencies and programs.

Since 1996, Senator Whitmire has served on the Pension Review Board which oversees all Texas public retirement systems. Senator Whitmire is also a member of the Texas Sunset Commission which is responsible for reviewing state agencies to identify and eliminate waste, duplication, and inefficiency in state government.

Originally from Hillsboro, Texas, Senator Whitmire moved to Houston where he graduated from Waltrip High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Houston and attended the Bates College of Law. He was admitted to the Texas State Bar in 1981 and is attorney of counsel to the law firm Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP. Senator Whitmire has two daughters, Whitney and Sarah Whitmire.

Newsletter

Fall 2010 Capitol Report (PDF, 2.10 MB)

Fall 2009 Capitol Report (PDF, 2.90 MB)

School Finance Update - March 2006 (PDF, 328 KB)

Legislative Report - 2005 (PDF, 2.80 MB)

Legislative Report - 2004 (PDF, 197 KB)

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Press Room
[ Press Archives: 2008 | 2007 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 ]

January 14, 2008
Whitmire Alarmed Over Inmate Homicide and Conditions in the Prison System

December 6, 2007
Whitmire calls on Commissioner Patterson to halt efforts to sell Christmas Mountains

April 25, 2005
Press Conference on SB 1874 - "Auto Burglary & Theft Prevention Authority"

March 21, 2005
Press Conference on the Senate Budget

February 3, 2005
Press Conference: Highways Security

[ MORE ... ]

Office Information

83rd Session Committee Membership

• Criminal Justice — Chair
• Administration
• Business & Commerce
• Finance
• Finance Subcommittee on Fiscal Matters

District Analysis: District 15

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