Judith Zaffirini

From Ballotpedia

Judith Zaffirini
Texas Senate District 21
Incumbent
Assumed office 1987
Current term ends 2009
Political party	Democrat
Profession	Business Owner
Website	Official website

Judith Zaffirini is a Democratic member of the Texas Senate, representing District 21 in South Texas, including the city of Laredo.

Judith Zaffirini has served in the Texas Senate since 1987. She 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.

Committee assignments

• Higher Education Committee, Texas Senate
• Administration Committee, Texas Senate
• Economic Development Committee, Texas Senate
• Finance Committee, Texas Senate
• Health & Human Services Committee, Texas Senate

Personal life

Zaffirini is married to Carlos M. Zaffirini, a Laredo attorney. They have one son, Carlos Jr., who is also an attorney.

Education and career

Zaffirini has a Bachelors, Masters, and PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. She also studied at Laredo Community College and the University of Houston.

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.

Controversies

Zaffirini's business and personal connections were called into question in 2009 by a Texas news Web site. The story remarked on Sen. Zaffirini's husband's work with the GEO Group, a private firm that runs over a dozen correctional facilities in Texas. Carlos Zaffirini defended the GEO Group when a county in her district considered suspending water and sewer service to their facilities on account of the company's reputation. ^[1]. Zaffirini, as a state senator, has power over state contracts, including the lucrative contract with the GEO Group.

External links

• Official website of Judith Zaffirini
• Judith Zaffirini on Project Vote Smart
• Campaign Contributions: 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000
• Judith Zaffirini Personal Website
• 'Texas Watchdog

References

1. ↑ Texas Watchdog, "Lawmakers’ relatives work for GEO Group prison co. as state weighs clamp-down on embattled firm "

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