John Whitmire

Full Name: John H. Whitmire

Terms of Service
Biographical Notes
Committee Information
Legislation
Official Senate Web Site

Terms of Service top

Chamber	District	Dates of Service	Legislatures	Party	City/County	Note	Counties in District
S	15	Jan 10, 2023 - Dec 31, 2023	88th ⁽¹⁾ ⁽²⁾ ⁽³⁾ ⁽⁴⁾	Democrat	Houston / Harris	Dean of the Senate. (88th)	Harris
S	15	Jan 8, 2019 - Jan 10, 2023	87th 86th 87th 86th	Democrat	Houston / Harris	Dean of the Senate. (87th) Dean of the Senate. (86th)	Harris
S	15	Jan 13, 2015 - Jan 8, 2019	85th 84th 85th 84th	Democrat	Houston / Harris	Dean of the Senate. (85th) Dean of the Senate. (84th)	Harris
S	15	Jan 8, 2013 - Jan 13, 2015	83rd ⁽⁵⁾	Democrat	Houston / Harris	Dean of the Senate. (83rd)	Harris
S	15	Jan 11, 2011 - Jan 8, 2013	82nd ⁽⁶⁾	Democrat	Houston / Harris	Dean of the Senate. (82nd)	Harris
S	15	Jan 9, 2007 - Jan 11, 2011	81st 80th 81st	Democrat	Houston / Harris	Dean of the Senate. (81st) Dean of the Senate. (80th)	Harris
S	15	Jan 14, 2003 - Jan 9, 2007	79th 78th ⁽⁷⁾ 79th 78th ⁽⁷⁾	Democrat	Houston / Harris	Dean of the Senate. (79th) Dean of the Senate. (78th)	Harris
S	15	Jan 9, 2001 - Jan 14, 2003	77th ⁽⁸⁾	Democrat	Houston / Harris		Harris
S	15	Jan 14, 1997 - Jan 9, 2001	76th 75th	Democrat	Houston / Harris		Harris
S	15	Jan 10, 1995 - Jan 14, 1997	74th ⁽⁹⁾	Democrat	Houston / Harris		Harris
S	15	Jan 12, 1993 - Jan 10, 1995	73rd ⁽¹⁰⁾ ⁽¹¹⁾ ⁽¹²⁾	Democrat	Houston / Harris	Senate President Pro Tempore (73rd)	Harris
S	15	Jan 8, 1991 - Jan 12, 1993	72nd ⁽¹³⁾	Democrat	Houston / Harris		Harris
S	15	Jan 13, 1987 - Jan 8, 1991	71st 70th	Democrat	Houston / Harris		Harris
S	15	Jan 11, 1983 - Jan 13, 1987	69th 68th ⁽¹⁴⁾	Democrat	Houston / Harris		Harris
H	82	Jan 13, 1981 - Jan 11, 1983	67th	Democrat	Houston / Harris		Harris
H	82	Jan 9, 1979 - Jan 13, 1981	66th	Democrat	Houston / Harris		Harris
H	82	Jan 11, 1977 - Jan 9, 1979	65th	Democrat	Houston / Harris		Harris
H	82	Jan 14, 1975 - Jan 11, 1977	64th	Democrat	Houston / Harris		Harris
H	82	Jan 9, 1973 - Jan 14, 1975	63rd	Democrat	Houston / Harris		Harris

(1) Sworn in as Mayor of Houston on 1/1/2024, "Mayor Whitmire Officially Sworn In During Private Ceremony," 1/1/2024. City of Houston.
(2) Proclamation, 1/18/2024, ordering special election in Senate District 15 on 5/4/2024 to serve out unexpired term of John Whitmire. Governor Greg Abbott.
(3) 88th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/11/2023, SR 9, pp. 26-27. Drew 2-year term. Senate Journal.
(4) Resignation letter to Governor Abbott dated 12/29/2023, effective 12/31/2023 at 10:00 p.m. Texas Senate.
(5) 83rd Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/23/2013, SR 36, pp. 81-82. Drew 2-year term. Senate Journal.
(6) 2-year term; entire Senate went up for reelection in 2012 due to redistricting. Texas Constitution Art. III, §3, Election and term of office of Senators.
(7) 78th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/14/2003, SR 7, pp. 15-16. Drew 4-year term. Senate Journal.
(8) 2-year term; entire Senate went up for reelection in 2002 due to redistricting. Texas Constitution Art. III, §3, Election and term of office of Senators.
(9) 74th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 1/11/1995, pp. 75-76. Drew 2-year term. Senate Journal.
(10) 73rd Legislature - Senate President Pro Tempore, Ad Interim R.S., elected 5/31/1993. Senate Journal.
(11) 73rd Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 3/25/1993, pp. 589-590. Drew 4-year term. Senate Journal.
(12) Due to redistricting litigation, entire Senate went up for reelection in 1994. See also Clips database, 4/6/1993 - 4/8/1993, Redistricting - Legislature; and Guide to 2001 Redistricting - Appendix A, 1990s Redistricting (Texas Legislative Council). Terrazas v. Slagle, 821 F.Supp. 1162 (April 5, 1993), 1993.
(13) 2-year term; entire Senate went up for reelection in 1992 due to redistricting. Texas Constitution Art. III, §3, Election and term of office of Senators.
(14) 68th Legislature - Drawing for Terms of Office, 3/17/1983, p. 495. Drew 4-year term (also see message from President, p. 467). Senate Journal.

Terms of Service top

Senate District 15
Jan 10, 2023 - Dec 31, 2023
Legislatures: 88th ⁽¹⁾ ⁽²⁾ ⁽³⁾ ⁽⁴⁾
Dean of the Senate. (73rd)
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Senate District 15
Jan 8, 2019 - Jan 10, 2023
Legislatures: 87th 86th 87th 86th
Dean of the Senate. (73rd)
Dean of the Senate. (73rd)
(73rd)
(73rd)
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Senate District 15
Jan 13, 2015 - Jan 8, 2019
Legislatures: 85th 84th 85th 84th
Dean of the Senate. (73rd)
Dean of the Senate. (73rd)
(73rd)
(73rd)
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Senate District 15
Jan 8, 2013 - Jan 13, 2015
Legislatures: 83rd ⁽⁵⁾
Dean of the Senate. (73rd)
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Senate District 15
Jan 11, 2011 - Jan 8, 2013
Legislatures: 82nd ⁽⁶⁾
Dean of the Senate. (73rd)
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Senate District 15
Jan 9, 2007 - Jan 11, 2011
Legislatures: 81st 80th 81st
Dean of the Senate. (73rd)
Dean of the Senate. (73rd)
(73rd)
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Senate District 15
Jan 14, 2003 - Jan 9, 2007
Legislatures: 79th 78th ⁽⁷⁾ 79th 78th ⁽⁷⁾
Dean of the Senate. (73rd)
Dean of the Senate. (73rd)
(73rd)
(73rd)
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Senate District 15
Jan 9, 2001 - Jan 14, 2003
Legislatures: 77th ⁽⁸⁾
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Senate District 15
Jan 14, 1997 - Jan 9, 2001
Legislatures: 76th 75th
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Senate District 15
Jan 10, 1995 - Jan 14, 1997
Legislatures: 74th ⁽⁹⁾
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Senate District 15
Jan 12, 1993 - Jan 10, 1995
Legislatures: 73rd ⁽¹⁰⁾ ⁽¹¹⁾ ⁽¹²⁾
Senate President Pro Tempore (73rd)
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Senate District 15
Jan 8, 1991 - Jan 12, 1993
Legislatures: 72nd ⁽¹³⁾
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Senate District 15
Jan 13, 1987 - Jan 8, 1991
Legislatures: 71st 70th
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Senate District 15
Jan 11, 1983 - Jan 13, 1987
Legislatures: 69th 68th ⁽¹⁴⁾
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

House District 82
Jan 13, 1981 - Jan 11, 1983
Legislatures: 67th
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

House District 82
Jan 9, 1979 - Jan 13, 1981
Legislatures: 66th
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

House District 82
Jan 11, 1977 - Jan 9, 1979
Legislatures: 65th
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

House District 82
Jan 14, 1975 - Jan 11, 1977
Legislatures: 64th
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

House District 82
Jan 9, 1973 - Jan 14, 1975
Legislatures: 63rd
Party: Democrat
Home City/County: Houston / Harris
Counties in district: Harris

Biographical Information top

Resolutions and Journal entries

67th Legislature, 2nd C.S., HR 63. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
69th Legislature, 2nd C.S., SR 8. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
72nd Legislature, 1st C.S., SR 262. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.
83rd Legislature, R.S., SR 9, recognizing Senator John Whitmire, Dean of the Texas Senate, for his 40 years of outstanding service in the Texas Legislature. Resolutions - Congratulatory and Honorary.

Biographical Sketches

Biographical sketch, photos, program. Senator John Whitmire, November 19, 1994, G750 94-11. Governor for a Day.
Legislative profile, 74th Legislature, 1995. "Scenes From the 74th: The Laney-Bush Session," 6/16/1995. Texas Observer.
Biographical sketch, 82nd Legislature. Texas Senate.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 68th Legislature, 1983.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 69th Legislature, 1985.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 70th Legislature, 1987.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 71st Legislature, 1989.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 72nd Legislature, 1991.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senate, 77th Legislative Session, 2001.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 73rd Legislature, 1993.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 74th Legislature, 1995.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 75th Legislature, 1997.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 76th Legislative Session, 1999.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 78th Legislative Session, 2003.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 79th Legislative Session, 2005.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 80th Legislative Session, 2007.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 81st Legislative Session, 2009.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 82nd Legislative Session, 2011.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 83rd Legislative Session, 2013.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 84th Legislature, 2015.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 85th Legislature, 2017.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 86th Legislature, 2019.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 87th Legislature, 2021.
Biographical sketch and photo. Texas Senators, 88th Legislature, 2023.

Other Resources

"The Correctionists," November 2010. Profile of Representative Jerry Madden and Senator John Whitmire, both named 2010 Public Officials of the Year by Governing magazine for their work in corrections reform; interviews. Governing.
Whitmire is "the longest-serving state senator in Texas and the nation." "State Senator Calls for Inquiry Into Judge in Sex Offender Case," 1/1/2015. Houston Chronicle.
Delegate to the Texas Constitutional Convention, 1974. Record of Proceedings, Texas Constitutional Convention: Official Journals, January 8 - July 30, 1974, 1975.

Photographs

Photograph. John Whitmire, 86th Legislature, Texas Senate
Photograph. John Whitmire, 82nd Legislature, Texas Senate
Photograph. John Whitmire, 80th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. John Whitmire, 79th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. John Whitmire, 78th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. John Whitmire, 77th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. John Whitmire, 76th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. John Whitmire, 75th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. John Whitmire, 74th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. John Whitmire, 73rd Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. John Whitmire, 72nd Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. John Whitmire, 71st Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. John Whitmire, 70th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. John Whitmire, 69th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. John Whitmire, 68th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. John Whitmire, 67th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. John Whitmire, 66th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. John Whitmire, 65th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. John Whitmire, 64th Legislature, State Preservation Board
Photograph. John H. Whitmire, 63rd Legislature, State Preservation Board

Composite Photographs on Display in the Capitol

68th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, west wall. GE.L1). State Preservation Board.
69th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
70th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
71st session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
72nd session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
73rd session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
74th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
75th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
76th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
77th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
78th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
79th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
80th session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
81st session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
63rd session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.C1). State Preservation Board.
64th session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.C1). State Preservation Board.
65th session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.L1). State Preservation Board.
66th session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.L1). State Preservation Board.
67th session composite photo of House members (Ground floor corridor, south wall. GW.L1). State Preservation Board.
82nd session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
83rd session composite photo of Senate members (Ground floor corridor, north wall. GE.C1). State Preservation Board.
84th session composite photo of Senate members (Senate chamber, west wall. 2E.8). State Preservation Board.
85th session composite photo of Senate members (Senate chamber, west wall. 2E.8). State Preservation Board.
86th session composite photo of Senate members (Senate chamber, west wall. 2E.8). State Preservation Board.
87th session composite photo of Senate members(Senate chamber, west wall. 2E.8). State Preservation Board.

Committee Information top

88th R.S. - 2023 Criminal Justice (Chair) Finance
87th R.S. - 2021 Business and Commerce Criminal Justice (Chair) Finance Future of College Sports in Texas, Select Redistricting, Special
86th R.S. - 2019 Business and Commerce Criminal Justice (Chair) Finance Mass Violence Prevention and Community Safety, Select Redistricting, Select
85th R.S. - 2017 Business and Commerce Criminal Justice (Chair) Economic Stabilization Fund Balance, Select Finance Violence in Schools & School Security, Select
84th R.S. - 2015 Business and Commerce Criminal Justice (Chair) Economic Stabilization Fund Balance, Select Finance Government Facilities, Select
83rd R.S. - 2013 Administration Business and Commerce Criminal Justice (Chair) Economic Stabilization Fund Balance, Select Finance Finance Subcommittee on Fiscal Matters Human Trafficking Texas Lottery and Texas Lottery Commission
82nd R.S. - 2011 Administration Business and Commerce Committee of the Whole Senate Criminal Justice (Chair) Finance Finance Subcommittee on Articles VI and VII Finance Subcommittee on Medicaid Finance Subcommittee on Public Safety (Chair) Government Organization Human Trafficking
81st R.S. - 2009 Administration Committee of the Whole Senate Criminal Commitments of Individuals with Mental Retardation, Interim Select Criminal Justice (Chair) Criminal Justice, Oversight (Chair) Finance Government Organization
80th R.S. - 2007 Administration Committee of the Whole Senate Criminal Justice (Chair) Criminal Justice, Oversight Finance Finance Subcommittee on General Government Issues Government Organization Operation and Management of the Texas Youth Commission, Select (Co-Chair)
79th R.S. - 2005 Administration Criminal Justice (Chair) Finance Government Organization
78th R.S. - 2003 Administration Committee of the Whole Senate Criminal Justice (Chair) Electric Utility Restructuring, Legislative Oversight Finance Government Organization
77th R.S. - 2001 Committee of the Whole Senate Criminal Justice (Vice Chair) Electric Utility Restructuring, Legislative Oversight Electronic Government, Legislative Oversight Finance Higher Education Excellence Funding, Interim Intergovernmental Relations State Employee Compensation and Benefits, Special
76th R.S. - 1999 Administration Committee of the Whole Senate Criminal Justice Economic Development Economic Development Subcommittee on Technology and Business Growth Electric Utility Restructuring, Legislative Oversight
75th R.S. - 1997 Criminal Justice (Chair) Criminal Justice, Interim (Chair) Intergovernmental Relations Legislative and Congressional Redistricting, Committee of the Whole Senate Public Information, Interim Sex Offenders, Interim State Affairs State Affairs, Interim
74th R.S. - 1995 Criminal Justice (Chair) Emissions and Clean Air, Special (Chair) Intergovernmental Relations Juvenile Justice and Child Support, Interim Legislative and Congressional Redistricting, Committee of the Whole Senate, Special State Affairs
73rd R.S. - 1993 Committee of the Whole Senate Comptroller Sharp's Texas Performance Review of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Interim (Co-Chair) Criminal Justice (Chair) Intergovernmental Relations Nominations, Special Redistricting, Ethics and Elections, Committee of the Whole Senate, Special State Affairs
72nd R.S. - 1991 Administration, Special Committee of the Whole on Redistricting, Special Committee of the Whole on Redistricting, Special, Subcommittee on Congressional Districts Economic Development Intergovernmental Relations (Chair) State Affairs
71st R.S. - 1989 Committee of the Whole Senate Creation and Expansion of Minority and Women-Owned Business Ownership Opportunities, Special Advisory Economic Development Health and Human Services Health and Human Services Subcommittee on Health Services (Vice Chair) Intergovernmental Relations Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee on Urban Affairs (Chair)
70th R.S. - 1987 Committee of the Whole Senate Future of Long Term Health Care, Special Task Force Health and Human Services Health and Human Services Subcommittee on Health Services (Vice Chair) Implementation of the Agricultural Hazard Communication Act Intergovernmental Relations Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee on Urban Affairs (Chair) Natural Resources Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water Workfare, Special, Interim
69th R.S. - 1985 Committee of the Whole Senate Department of Human Services Audits Health and Human Resources Health and Human Resources Subcommittee on Elder Abuse Health and Human Resources Subcommittee on Health Services (Vice Chair) Intergovernmental Relations Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee on Urban Affairs (Vice Chair) Jurisprudence Natural Resources Urban Issues, Special
68th R.S. - 1983 Administration Committee of the Whole Senate Committee of the Whole Senate, Subcommittee on Educational Quality Fire Protection Standards Health and Human Resources Health and Human Resources Subcommittee on Public Health (Vice Chair) Human Resources Human Resources Subcommittee on Public Health (Vice Chair) Hunger and Nutrition, Interim Intergovernmental Relations
67th R.S. - 1981 Financial Institutions Financial Institutions Subcommittee on Budget and Oversight Judiciary Ways and Means Ways and Means Subcommittee on Budget and Oversight
66th R.S. - 1979 Criminal Jurisprudence Judicial Affairs
65th R.S. - 1977 Intergovernmental Affairs (Vice Chair) Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Appropriative Matters Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Local Government Judicial Affairs
64th R.S. - 1975 Appropriations Business and Industry (Vice Chair - Appropriative Matters)
63rd R.S. - 1973 Appropriations Citizens' Conference on State Legislatures, Steering, Special (Operations of the House) Human Resources Human Resources Subcommittee on Public Welfare Labor Labor Subcommittee on Occupational and Industrial Safety

This website is a work in progress. Information on this website is provided as a public service by the Legislative Reference Library. The Legislative Reference Library makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy and makes no warranty in regard to its use. Users assume all risk of reliance on the information included on this site.

Party information is not available for the 1st-11th Legislatures.

Have a question, comment or contribution? Email the Library or call 512-463-1252.

Many photos in Texas Legislators: Past and Present are used with permission of the Texas State Preservation Board. For permission to reproduce these photos, please contact the Texas State Preservation Board graphics coordinator at 512-475-3060.