JUDITH ZAFFIRINI TEXAS STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 21 Senator Judith Zaffirini is the first Mexican American woman elected to the Texas Senate in 1986 and in 2023 became the first woman Dean of the Senate in the history of the State of Texas. A native Laredoan and descendant of her hometown’s founder, Don Tomás Sánchez, Senator Zaffirini is a trailblazer who has shattered barriers in her public service and profession. Her work ethic is reflected in her passing a record-breaking 1,388 bills, more than any legislator in Texas history—as well as for maintaining a career-long, perfect voting record, having cast 72,132 consecutive votes as of 2023—a state and national record. An educator and businesswoman, she is an award-winning Communication Specialist, amassing more than 1,200 awards and honors for her legislative, professional, and civic accomplishments, including more than 600 statewide and national communication awards. Her inspiring journey from supporting herself since she was 17 and marrying at 18 to earning B.S., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees from The University of Texas at Austin and breaking barriers in the Texas Legislature reflects her persistence and dedication to excellence. Judith and Carlos Zaffirini, Sr. married for 56 years, have one son, Carlos Jr.; a daughter by marriage, Audrey; and two grandsons, Asher Maxwell (6) and George William (4).
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