Austin, TX – Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, cast her 75,000th consecutive vote in the Texas Senate today (May 15), extending her state and national record of most consecutive votes cast by a legislator. Her votes span nearly four decades of policymaking and reflect decisions about major issues affecting every Texan, including education, health care, infrastructure and access to justice.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and her Senate colleagues honored her in the Senate as she celebrated this milestone. He presented her with the inscribed gavel used as she took her record-setting vote, and senators presented her with bouquets of flowers.

“This achievement belongs equally to the families of Senate District 21,” Dean Senator Zaffirini said. “Their needs and interests guided every vote and will continue to guide my work.”

She has passed 1,401 bills, more than any legislator in the history of the State of Texas. This session Lt. Gov. Patrick appointed her to the Senate Committees on Business and Commerce; Finance; State Affairs; and Natural Resources, of which she is Vice Chair. She also is his appointee to the Texas Judicial Council and the Texas Access to Justice Commission.

The Senator made history as the first woman Dean of the Senate on Dec. 31, 2023. She succeeds 24 men who held the title since 1909, when it was first assigned to the longest-serving senator. The seventh of only 25 women who have served with 954 male senators in 89 Texas Legislatures, she and Eddie Bernice Johnson joined Cyndi Krier in 1987, marking the first time more than one woman served in the 31-member body. Today there are eight women senators.

Photo Credit: Texas Senate Media Services

Dean Senator Judith Zaffirini joins Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and her Senate colleagues to celebrate her 75000th consecutive vote.

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