Senator Judith Zaffirini is set to make history this Sunday as the first woman to become Dean of the Texas Senate. A veteran lawmaker, Zaffirini has already broken ground as the first Mexican American woman elected to the state's Senate back in 1986. Her elevation to Dean follows the resignation of Senator John Whitmire, who's gearing up to take on the role of Houston Mayor come January 1st. The transition is scheduled for 10 p.m. on December 31st, according to The Senate of Texas.
"Only 24 women have served in the Texas Senate with 952 men," Zaffirini pointed out in the press release. She recalled her place in history alongside Senator Eddie Bernice Johnson in '86, with both women becoming the seventh and eighth female members at that time. Zaffirini's rise fills a significant gap in leadership, considering the next three senators in line for the deanship are male, as per The Senate of Texas.
The Laredo native's accolades extend far beyond her political firsts. She’s amassed a staggering 1,388 bill passings, the most in Texas legislative history. Additionally, her career-long perfect voting record of 72,132 consecutive votes as of 2023 is unmatched on both state and national levels. Senator Zaffirini also juggles roles as an educator, businesswoman, and Communication Specialist, boasting a trophy case with more than 1,200 recognitions for her legislative, professional, and civic work.
Family is another cornerstone of Zaffirini's life. She and her husband Carlos Zaffirini Sr. have a son, Carlos Jr., a daughter by marriage, Audrey, and two grandsons, Asher Maxwell and George William. As she prepares to take on this historic position, Zaffirini continues to be a trailblazer in the sphere of Texas politics, setting a stout example for future generations, as stated in The Senate of Texas.
