Occupation: Attorney
Education: University of Houston, B.A.; Bates College of Law, University of Houston
Legislative Experience: House Member, 1973 - 1982; Senate Member, 1983 - present
Hometown: Houston
Party: Democrat

Senator John Whitmire represents the 15th Senatorial District comprised of north Houston and north Harris County. He was first elected to the Texas Senate in 1982 after serving 10 years in the Texas House of Representatives. With over 20 years of service in the Texas Senate, Senator Whitmire ranks first in seniority and serves as the "Dean of the Texas Senate."

Currently, Senator Whitmire is the Chair of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee and serves as a member of the Senate Government Organization Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and the Senate Administration Committee. He is also a member of the Legislative Budget Board comprised of the Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 4 senators, and 4 state representatives.

In 1996, Senator Whitmire was appointed by Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock to serve on the State Pension Review Board, in which capacity he still serves. He is also a member of the State Energy Council, the Criminal Justice Legislative Oversight Committee, and the Joint Committee on the Operation and Management of the Texas Youth Commission.

During his previous role as Chair of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee from 1993 to 1999, Senator Whitmire authored the complete rewriting of the Texas Penal Code. He continues focusing a great deal of his time ensuring Texas is tough, but smart on crime.

Originally from Hillsboro, Texas, Senator Whitmire moved to Houston where he graduated from Waltrip High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Houston and attended the Bates College of Law. He was admitted to the Texas State Bar in 1981 and is attorney of counsel to the law firm Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP. Senator Whitmire has two daughters, Whitney and Sarah Whitmire.

Newsletter

Fall 2009 Capitol Report (pdf, 2.8 mb)

School Finance Update - March 2006 (pdf, 316 kb)

Legislative Report - 2005 (pdf, 2.6 mb)

Legislative Report - 2004 (pdf, 200k)

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Press Room
[ Press Archives: 2008 | 2007 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 ]

January 14, 2008
Whitmire Alarmed Over Inmate Homicide and Conditions in the Prison System

December 6, 2007
Whitmire calls on Commissioner Patterson to halt efforts to sell Christmas Mountains

April 25, 2005
Press Conference on SB 1874 - "Auto Burglary & Theft Prevention Authority"

March 21, 2005
Press Conference on the Senate Budget

February 3, 2005
Press Conference: Highways Security

[ MORE ... ]

Office Information

81st Session Committee Membership

• Criminal Justice, Chair
• Administration
• Finance
• Government Organization

District Analysis: District 15

Click the map to view a detailed district map in PDF format

Population and Household Education and Employment Income and Analysis Population Analysis Precinct and Districts Cities and Census Designated Places School Districts General Election Analysis