Judith Zaffirini

Zaffirini has earned a bachelor's, graduate, and Ph.D. degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She also studied at Laredo Community College and the University of Houston.[1]

She has worked as a teacher in higher education for over 13 years. She has been honored by the South Texas Press Association for her work in journalism. She owns her own business, Zaffirini Communications.

Zaffirini has been recognized for her near perfect attendance in session. She served as vice-chair of the Texas Democratic Party from 1984-1986, prior to making a (successful) run for the Democratic Party nomination for state Senate in 1986.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

As the first Mexican American woman Texas state senator & first woman Dean of the Texas Senate, my experience, record, education, & character qualify me for re-election. My work ethic & effectiveness are reflected in my 100% voting record, having cast 76,000+ consecutive votes in the Senate, a state & national record; passing 1,500+ bills, more than any legislator in Texas history; and, as a Democrat, being the highest bill-passer for 6 consecutive sessions in a Republican-dominated legislature. Self-supporting since 17 & married at 18, I earned BS, MA, & PhD degrees from UT-Austin without financial aid (but with a loan) while holding up to 3 part-time jobs.

A former teacher with 13 years of teaching experience, small businessowner, award-winning communication specialist, wife, mother & grandmother, my communication & teaching skills are particular assets in Senate debates—& having taught 7th-grade boys with disciplinary problems helps. A Texan of Mexican, Spanish, Sephardic Jew & Greek descent (with an Italian surname), I am known for my hard work, honesty, integrity, fairness, compassion & listening. I vote based on the needs & interests of the families of SD 21, not my personal agenda or interests. As the ranking member of the Senate’s 4 most powerful committees, including Finance, I am in a key position to continue to make a significant difference for the families I represent. My mantra is “Serviam!” (I shall serve.) My staff and I are here to serve, not to be served.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Having passed 216 bills related to education, including 137 focusing on higher education, my top priorities will continue to include education in general, with a focus on early & higher education & ensuring it is accessible, accountable, affordable & excellent for all ages, in all areas & at all levels, without unfunded mandates. This requires increasing funding for public school teachers’ salaries & retirement & for financial aid, work-study, mentoring, retention, programs for at-risk & first-generation students, graduation rates, facilities, technology, research, & institutional advancement; honoring academic freedom & tenure & diversity, equity & inclusion goals; & helping more universities meet AAU standards for research universities.Having passed 258 bills related to health & human services, my top priorities will continue to include these issues in general, with a focus on the very young, the very old, the very poor, persons with physical, intellectual & emotional disabilities & veterans. This requires expanding Medicaid; ensuring access to health care, doctors & nurses in rural areas; lowering health, medical & insurance costs while prohibiting surprise medical & ambulance billing; & increasing funding for independent living while eventually eliminating waiting lists for critical services; guardianship fraud, abuse & exploitation deterrence; & prevention/intervention/treatment for victims of abuse & critical diseases/conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease & cancer.The highest priorities of SD 21 families evolve/change over time, but always are at the top of my agenda. Currently they include affordability & reducing/managing the cost of living in general and, more specifically, of housing, education, healthcare (including in rural areas), gasoline, groceries, insurance & housing; short- & long-range goals to provide a stronger workforce & protect our environment, more & better-paying jobs, & cost-of-living increases for active & retired teachers & state employees; lower property & sales taxes, homestead exemptions from property taxes; tax holidays for back-to-school items, college textbooks & veterans; border security; & bipartisan collaboration to meet constituents’ interests, not personal interests.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My passions include higher & early childhood education; health & human services; & access to justice for all, including litigants who are low-income or non-English-speaking, have disabilities or are veterans. As a member of the Texas Judicial Council & the Texas Access to Justice Commission I have passed 134 bills impacting the judiciary & prioritize restoring public trust & confidence by strengthening courts & addressing corruption & cronyism through accountability & transparency, strengthening the State Commission on Judicial Conduct by protecting the public from corrupt judges, not corrupt judges from the public; & creating programs such as Judicial Centers for Excellence & Class in the Courtroom; & writing 15 mock trials for students.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

As of 01/28 my endorsements include Texas State Association of Firefighters, CLEAT, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Association of Realtors, Tejano Democrats, Capitol Area Progressive Democrats, UT-Austin University Democrats, Austin Young Democrats, Dove Springs Proud, Liberal Austin Democrats & Texas Society of Professional Engineers.

I hope to be endorsed by those who endorsed me in previous elections, including Austin American-Statesman, Austin Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News, Laredo Morning Times, Texas State Teachers Association, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Ranchers, Farm & Ranch Freedom Alliance, Humane Legislative Network, Texas Democrats with Disabilities, Texas Medical Association, Ophthalmological Association & Texas Parent PAC.

Judith Zaffirini did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Judith Zaffirini did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.