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 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 2008 she was re-elected in a seventh landslide victory with 79 percent in the primary and 68 percent in the general election. She has carried all 17 counties in the large and diverse district in every re-election, something no one else ever has accomplished.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst appointed her (2011) Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee; Co-Chair of the Joint Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence, and Transparency; and a member of the Senate Finance, Health and Human Services, Economic Development, Redistricting, and Administration committees. The first Hispanic woman 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, 10 terms on the Senate Finance Committee, 10 terms on the Senate Education Committee, and on the Legislative Budget Board since 2004.

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. She has sponsored and passed 725 bills and 52 substantive resolutions and co-sponsored and passed another 384 bills. Her legislative priorities include improving public education, higher education, and health and human services.

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 marks the fourth time that Texas Monthly has named Senator Zaffirini to its list 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.

Additionally, in 2011 Senator Zaffirini received 21 awards from the Press Women of Texas Association, who have recognized her communications expertise repeatedly with national and statewide awards for her publications, speeches, and public relations campaigns, including annual statewide first-place awards; and three awards from the National Federation of Press Women.

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 The University of Texas at 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 46 years. Their son, 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 (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: 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 |2002 | 2001 | 1998]

November 28, 2011
Senator Zaffirini Files For Re-Election In 2012

October 12, 2011
Joint Oversight Committee On Higher Education Governance, Excellence And Transparency Launches Committee Website

September 15, 2011
Joint Oversight Committee On Higher Education Governance, Excellence And Transparency Announces Agenda For First Hearing

September 15, 2011
Joint Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance, Excellence and Transparency - Hearing Agenda

August 31, 2011
Senator Zaffirini Announces New Laws Effective Sept. 1

[ MORE ... ]

E-Mail Form

Office Information

82nd Session Committee Membership

• Higher Education - Chair
• Administration
• Economic Development
• Finance
• Health & Human Services
• Redistricting, Select
• Subcommittee on Fiscal Matters
• Subcommittee on Medicaid
• Subcommittee on Higher Education Funding

District Analysis: District 21

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

Population and Household Education and Employment Income and Analysis Population Analysis Precinct and Districts Cities and Census Designated Places School Districts General Election Analysis