Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, represents Senate District 21, which stretches from the Rio Grande in Webb County to the Colorado River in Travis County and from Dimmit County in the Winter Garden Region to Starr County in the Valley. Re-elected in 2020, she is the first Hispanic woman elected to the Texas Senate, the second-highest ranking senator, and the highest-ranking woman and minority member.
Known for her legendary work ethic, Senator Zaffirini has passed 1,266 bills—more than any legislator in the history of the State of Texas—and has cast 67,923 consecutive votes since January, 1987. She is Vice Chair of the Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee and of the Eagle Ford Shale Legislative Caucus; and a member of the State Affairs, Higher Education, and Local Government Committees.
Senator 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, Senator Zaffirini provides professional communication services in consulting, workshops and seminars, and writing. She has received more than 1,100 awards and honors for her legislative, public service, and professional work, including being inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame by Governor Greg Abbott in 2019. Dr. Zaffirini holds B.S., M.A., and PhD degrees from UT-Austin, which designated her as a 2003 Distinguished Alumna, 2013 Presidential Citation Recipient, and 2015-16 Moody College of Communication Outstanding Alumna.
