John Whitmire

Whitmire was born in Hillsboro north of Waco, Texas, to James Madison Whitmire, the Hill County clerk, and the former Ruth Marie Harris, a nurse.[2] He came from humble beginnings and moved more than three times as a child; but his fondest memories were of his early childhood in Whitney, Texas where he had no running water but had the strong support of his neighbors.[4] He cherishes this time in his life so much, you can still find his blue corduroy Future Farmers of America jacket, with "Whitney" largely embroidered on it hanging behind his desk in the Capitol. In his early teenage years, he moved to North Houston and attended Waltrip High School. Whitmire attended college at the University of Houston to study political science while paying for his education by working for the Texas State Welfare Department to which he credits his understanding of ordinary people facing difficult times.

Under pressure from the Federal Courts, the 1971 legislature drew up Texas's first single-member district plan for the House of Representatives.[5] Whitmire's political science professor Richard Murray was the one to inspire him to run for office as he illustrated the newly drawn district lines that newly encompassed John's home, church, old high school and the hospital where his mother worked. Having only voted once in his life, John Whitmire suspended his studies and left his job to enter the race.

In the 1972 election for House District 82, Whitmire won the primary runoff election and easily won the general election. In 1973, Whitmire at twenty-three, was sworn into the Texas House of Representatives. Whitmire served in the Texas House with colleagues Gene Green, Craig Washington and Mickey Leland and eventually finished his undergraduate degree. He began his law studies at the Bates College of Law, then passed the bar in 1981.

In 1982, Senator Jack Ogg vacated his seat to pursue the Attorney General position.[6] Whitmire captured the Senate District 15 seat, taking office in 1983. Senator Whitmire quickly became an ally to policemen, farmers, firefighters, and fought for the rights for municipal and state employees. [3] Recognizing Whitmire's success and commitment to the citizens of Texas, Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock appointed him to the Chair of Senate Criminal Justice Committee where he rewrote the state's criminal laws.

Whitmire handily won reelection to the state Senate in the general election held on November 6, 2018. With 152,728 votes (65.2 percent), he defeated the Republican candidate, Randy Orr, who polled 75,423 (32.2 percent). Another 6,266 votes (2.7 percent) went to the Libertarian choice, Gilberto "Gil" Velasquez, Jr.[7]

Whitmire won re-nomination to Senate District 15 in the Democratic primary election held on March 4, 2014. He defeated his intraparty challenger, Damian LaCroix, 9,756 (75.1 percent) to 3,232 votes (24.9 percent).[10]

• Senate of Texas - Senator John Whitmire
• Project Vote Smart - Senator John Whitmire (TX) profile
• Follow the Money - John Whitmire
  • 2006 2004 2002 2000 campaign contributions
• Appearances on C-SPAN