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Judith Zaffirini

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Judith Pappas Zaffirini
Zaffirini in 2009
Member of the Texas Senate
from the 21st district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 13, 1987
Preceded byJohn Traeger
Personal details
Born (1946-02-13) February 13, 1946 (age 78)
Laredo, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseCarlos Zaffirini Sr.
Children1
Residence(s)Laredo, Texas
Alma materLaredo Community College
University of Texas, Austin (BA)

Judith Pappas Zaffirini (born February 13, 1946) is an American politician serving as a Democratic member of the Texas State Senate from the 21st District, which includes her home city of Laredo in south Texas. Zaffririni is the first female dean of the Texas Senate. [1] Zaffirini has been named among the "Top 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States" by Hispanic Business magazine.[2] Zaffirini is the first Mexican American woman elected to the Texas Senate.[3]

Background

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Zaffirini is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.[4]

Zaffirini studied two summers at Laredo Community College (then Laredo Junior College).[5]

In 1977, Zaffirini became an associate of the Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press (WIFP).[6] WIFP is an American nonprofit publishing organization. The organization works to increase communication between women and connect the public with forms of women-based media.

Elections

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[7]

In 1994, she won more than two thirds of the ballots cast in the general election against the Republican candidate, Fernando G. Cantu Jr. (1944–2016), 71,029 (68.5 percent to 32,624 (31.5 percent).

In the Democratic primary held on March 4, 2008, Zaffirini was to have faced San Antonio attorney Rene Barrientos (born January 25, 1954), but Barrientos withdrew from the race. His name, however, remained on the ballot, and he did some advertising. Zaffirini won the nomination, 108,572 votes (78.6 percent); Barrientos, 23,262 (21.4 percent).[8][9][10]

Zaffirini campaign sign for the Texas State Senate.

In the November 6, 2012, general election, Zaffirini handily defeated the Republican candidate, Grant Elliot Rostig (born c. 1958) of Lockhart in Caldwell County, a supporter of the Ron Paul presidential campaign, 2012, who was endorsed by the Republican Liberty Caucus.[11] Zaffirini received 129,894 votes (67.6 percent) to Rostig's 56,032 (29.2 percent). The remaining 3.2 percent of the vote went to the Libertarian nominee, Joseph Morse.[12][13]

Legislative tenure

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The Senator Judith Zaffirini Library at Laredo Community College South Campus in Laredo, Texas.
The Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center at Texas A&M International University in Laredo was dedicated in September 2012, with Governor Rick Perry and Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst in attendance.
The Senator Judith Zaffirini Elementary School is located off Texas State Highway 359 in east Laredo.

Zaffirini has a 100 percent voting record, having through 2013 cast more than fifty thousand consecutive votes since January 1987. She even once missed her son's graduation to maintain the record.[14]

On January 9, 2007, Zaffirini became the second in seniority in the 31-member Texas Senate, of which she has been a member since 1987.[15]

In 2011, Zaffirini voted against the state appropriations bill because it reduced funding for public education by $5.4 billion, including $1.4 billion for targeted programs, such as pre-kindergarten expansion grants, one of her favorite programs. In 2013, Zaffirini will push for the issuance of tuition revenue bonds to fund capital construction projects on state college and university campuses, including TAMIU in Laredo.[16]

In 2012, Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst removed Zaffirini from the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Higher Education in favor of Kel Seliger, a Republican from Amarillo. Instead Zaffirini chairs the Senate Committee on Government Organization. She will remain a member of the higher education committee under Seliger and will continue as the co-chair of the Oversight Committee on Higher Education Governance Excellence and Transparency. Zaffirini said that she will continue to influence higher education policy "but the only difference is that the gavel won't be in my hand."[17]

In July 2013, Zaffirini joined her Democratic colleagues in voting against Republican-sponsored legislation which passed the Senate, 19 to 11, to reduce from twenty-six to twenty weeks of gestation the maximum time limit during which a woman can procure an abortion. Zaffirini, who is anti-abortion, describes the new law as not anti-abortion, per se, but one that limits a woman's access to health care and fails to address the question of unintended pregnancies.[18] Zaffirini said that she does "not believe that an unborn child can feel pain at twenty weeks. Nevertheless that had nothing to do with my position. ..."[18] Zaffirini said, "Like it or not abortion is the law of the land, and because it is we must insure that women have access to safe and legal abortions. If they do not, then they will resort to coat hangers and self-aborting and illegal abortions, and that is wrong."[18] Opponents of the law, such as Senator Royce West of Dallas, vowed a court challenge.[19]

On March 8, 2017, Zaffirini was the only dissenter in an eight-to-one vote of the Senate State Affairs Committee of the bathroom bill, Senate Bill 6, introduced by her Republican colleague, Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham and strongly pushed by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, the Republican presiding officer of the Senate. The bill would require persons to use public restrooms corresponding to their genitalia at birth. Strongly opposed by business and athletic interests, the measure is now pending before the Texas House of Representatives.[20] Opponents of the measure have put their hopes in Moderate Republican Joe Straus of San Antonio, the House Speaker, who is known to be lukewarm or even hostile toward the measure.[21]

In the 2017 legislative session, Zaffirini claimed her greatest numerical success record yet. Of the 168 bills that she introduced, 108 (64 percent) passed. Lawmakers introduced 6,631 bills but sent fewer, 1,211 (18 percent), to the governor than they have done since 1997 in the third year of the administration of Governor George W. Bush.[22]

Zaffririni became the first female dean of the Texas Senate on December 30, 2023 when Sen. John Whitmire resigned. [1]

Civil lawsuits

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In July 2013, Zaffirini was twice sued in Bexar County for alleged "gross mismanagement" of an estate valued at $150 million. The sisters, Josefina Alexander Gonzalez (1914–2014) and Delfina E. Alexander (died 2008), together owned about one thousand acres in South Texas. Between 1995 and 2002, five companies were organized to develop the property, but some of the businesses have long been inactive. The sisters further formed the Delfina and Josephina Alexander Family Trust designed to pass the proceeds of the holdings to Gonzalez's daughter, Rocio G. Guerra, and Gonzalez's two grandchildren. The second suit alleges that Zaffirini and two co-defendants, David H. Arredondo and Clarissa N. Chapa, committed tax fraud, forged documents, and paid themselves excessive fees in the amount of $420,000 for management of the Alexander holdings. The defendants are also accused of withholding money from the trust. Zaffirini's attorney-husband, Carlos Zaffirini Sr., said that Guerra and her children, have tried to break the trust on four occasions and that the basic issue centers on squabbling among the heirs over the collection of the money.[23] Josefina Alexander Gonzales died in December 2014, five days before her 100th birthday.[24][25]

In August 2016, the longstanding case was resolved without going to trial. Zaffirini delivered $35 million in cash and land to three Alexander family trusts that benefit Rocio Guerra, Zaffirini's second cousin, and Guerra's two children. The three are the sole heirs to the Alexander estate. In return, Zaffirini will take control of nearly 450 acres of undeveloped real estate off Del Mar Boulevard. Zaffirini will continue to serve as an executor and trustee of certain entities of the Alexander estate.[26]

Criticism of Donald Trump

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On the occasion of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's visit to Laredo on July 23, 2015, Zaffrini wrote the lead column on the editorial page the next day in the Laredo Morning Times to question Trump's commitment to border issues.[27]

Electoral history

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Election history of Zaffirini since 1992.[28]

2008

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Texas General Election, 2008: Senate District 21[29]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent) 129,608 68.24
Republican Louis H. Bruni 55,363 29.15
Libertarian Barry L. Allison 4,966 2.61
Total votes 189,937 100.00
Democratic primary, 2008: Senate District 21[30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent) 108,572 78.6
Democratic Rene Barrientos 23,262 21.4
Total votes 131,834 100.0

2004

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Texas general election, 2004: Texas Senate, District 21[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent) 127,573 100.00
Total votes 127,573 100.00
Democratic hold
Democratic primary, 2004: Senate District 21[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent) 62,960 78.65
Democratic Raymond Bruni 17,089 21.35
Total votes 80,049 100.00

2002

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Texas general election, 2002: Senate District 21[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent) 95,644 89.11
Libertarian Jeff Carruthers 11,688 10.89
Total votes 107,332 100.00
Democratic hold

2000

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Texas general election, 2000: Senate District 21[34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent) 106,089 66.46
Republican David Swift 53,547 33.54
Total votes 159,636 100.00
Democratic hold

1996

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Texas general election, 1996: Senate District 21[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent) 91,956 66.32
Republican James C. Whitworth 46,698 33.68
Total votes 138,654 100.00
Democratic hold

1994

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Texas general election, 1994: Senate District 21[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent) 71,029 68.53
Republican Fernando Cantu Jr. 32,624 31.47
Total votes 103,653 100.00
Democratic hold

1992

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Texas general election, 1992: Senate District 21[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Judith Zaffirini (Incumbent) 111,398 100.00
Total votes 111,398 100.00
Democratic hold

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Gore, Hogan (January 8, 2024). "The Texas Senate has its first female dean. What Sen. Judith Zaffirini hopes to accomplish". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  2. ^ Odie Arambula, "Magazine names Zaffirini influential", Laredo Morning Times, October 13, 2008, p. 4A
  3. ^ Vaughn, Reese. "Women around Texas share their words of wisdom." The Victoria Advocate. August 30, 2002. 10E. Retrieved on February 4, 2012.
  4. ^ Jason Buch, "Laredoan of the year: Zaffirini recognized as education champion", Laredo Morning Times, January 1, 2009, p. 1
  5. ^ Alvarado, Celina (2007-12-18). "State senator given college's first-ever 'Beacon Award'". Laredo Morning Times. pp. 1, 13A.
  6. ^ "Associates | The Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press". www.wifp.org. Retrieved 2017-06-21.
  7. ^ "Bennie Bock, II". lrl.state.tx.us. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  8. ^ Democratic primary returns, Laredo Morning Times, March 5, 2008, p. 1
  9. ^ Aguilar, Julian (2007-12-28). "Bruni becomes Republican in a bid to unseat Zaffirini". Laredo Morning Times. p. 1A, 13A.
  10. ^ Cortez, Tricia (2008-01-10). "Zaffirini foe quits". Laredo Morning Times. pp. 1, 12A.
  11. ^ "Grant Rostig for State Senator, District 21". grantrostig.com. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  12. ^ "Texas general election returns, November 6, 2012". Texas Secretary of State. Archived from the original on December 5, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  13. ^ Cortez, Tricia (2007-12-21). "Zaffirini's ready to run for her state senate seat". Laredo Morning Times. p. 3A.
  14. ^ "Texas Sen. Zaffirini casts 50,000th vote". Lubbock Avalanche Journal. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  15. ^ Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) (2002-09-13). "State Senate Candidates for 2002 General Election". Archived from the original on 2008-02-13. Retrieved 2006-12-27.
  16. ^ "Senator Zaffirini eyes education budget restoration", Laredo Morning Times, pp. 1J, 9J, January 27, 2013
  17. ^ JJ Velasquez, "Sen. Zaffirini out", Laredo Morning Times, October 5, 2012, pp. 1, 11A
  18. ^ a b c "House Bill 2: Senator Zaffirini explains her position: Reduces women's health care access", Laredo Morning Times, July 14, 2013, pp. 1, 10A
  19. ^ "Republicans finally pass new abortion limits", Laredo Morning Times, July 14, 2013, p. 5A
  20. ^ Moritz, John C.. (March 8, 2017). "Bathroom bill clears first hurdle, awaits Senate vote". San Angelo Standard-Times. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
  21. ^ Gilbert Garcia, "Hopefuls must reject SB 6 on moral grounds", San Antonio Express-News, March 8, 2017, p. A2.
  22. ^ Andrea Zelinski, "More bills filed, fewer passed: of 6,631 introduced, 1,211 reached Abbott," San Antonio Express-News, June 3, 2017, p. A3.
  23. ^ Craig Kapitan, "Zaffrini named in suit: Plaintiffs claim gross mismanagement of family trust", Laredo Morning Times, July 20, 2013, pp. 1, 9A
  24. ^ "Josefina Alexander Gonzalez". joejackfonfuneralchapels.com. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  25. ^ "Judith Zaffirini, David H. Arredondo and Clarissa N. Chapa, as Co–Trustees of the Exempt Trust of Rocio Gonzalez Guerra, Appellants, v. Rocio G. Guerra, Appellee". caselaw.findlaw.com. November 26, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  26. ^ John MacCormack, "Zaffirini's family feud comes to end: Dispute focused on Laredo real estate," San Antonio Express-News, August 7, 2016, pp. 1, 22A
  27. ^ Judith Zaffirini, "Trump's visit should be a living lesson:, Laredo Morning Times, July 24, 2015, p. 4A
  28. ^ Uncontested primary elections are not shown.
  29. ^ "2008 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  30. ^ "2008 Democratic Party Primary Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2007-03-04.
  31. ^ "2004 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
  32. ^ "2004 Democratic Party Primary Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
  33. ^ "2002 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
  34. ^ "2000 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
  35. ^ "1996 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
  36. ^ "1994 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
  37. ^ "1992 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2007-01-04.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Judith Zaffirini.
Texas Senate
Preceded by
John Traeger
 Texas State Senator
from District 21 (Laredo)
1987-present 		Incumbent
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