Robert Nichols (politician)

Robert Lee Nichols (born November 25, 1944) is an American politician who represents the 3rd District of the Texas Senate. A Republican, he was the Senate President Pro Tempore of the 85th legislative session.

For other people named Robert Nichols, see Robert Nichols (disambiguation).
Robert Nichols
Member of the Texas Senate
from the 3rd district
Assumed office
January 9, 2007
Preceded byTodd Staples
President pro tempore of the Texas Senate
In office
May 29, 2017 – January 8, 2019
Preceded byKel Seliger
Succeeded byKirk Watson
Mayor of Jacksonville
In office
1985–1989
Member of Jacksonville City Council
Personal details
Born
Robert Lee Nichols

(1944-11-25) November 25, 1944
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Donna
Children3
EducationLamar University (BS)

Early years

Nichols graduated in 1968 from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, with a degree in industrial engineering. He had a career as a small businessman before being elected mayor of Jacksonville, Texas, and served as mayor 1985-1989.[1]

Public service

During his tenure as mayor, Nichols streamlined the city government and helped to cut property tax rates. His service as Mayor eventually convinced then-Governor of Texas George W. Bush to appoint him to a six-year term on the Texas Transportation Commission in 1997. Nichols was appointed again in 2003 by former Texas Governor Rick Perry, and continued to serve until he resigned to prepare for a bid for the Texas Senate.

2006 and 2018 elections

Nichols faced stiff competition in 2006 from Republicans Bob Reeves of Center; David Kleimann of Willis; and Frank Denton of Conroe in the Republican primary. Nichols secured a 54% win, thus avoiding a runoff. Nichols' primary win was tantamount to winning the general election, as he did not have a Democratic candidate run against him in 2006.

In the general election of November 6, 2018, Nichols defeated the Democrat, Shirley Layton, and the Libertarian Party nominee, Bruce Quarels. Nichols received 214,756 votes (78.3 percent) to Layton's 56,274 (20.5 percent) and Quarles' 3,280 (1.2 percent).[2]

Service outside the Texas Senate

Nichols served as a board member of the now defunct Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas; the now defunct East Texas Medical Center (now University of Texas Health System, East Texas) and the Nan Travis Hospital Foundation, as chairman of the Jacksonville Economic Development Corporation.

Personal life

Nichols is wed to his high school sweetheart, Donna; they are parents of three children. Nichols is also the son of the co-founder of Nichols Industries, Inc., Talley Nichols, which was one of the largest manufacturers of toy cap guns in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. Nichols is a member of First United Methodist Church in Jacksonville.

Electoral history

2006
Texas general election, 2006: Senate District 3[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Robert Nichols 119,629 83.13 +11.77
Majority 119,629 100.00 +55.18
Turnout 119,629 -12.03
Republican hold
Republican primary, 2006: Senate District 3[4]
Candidate Votes % ±
Frank Denton 5,635 15.15
Dave Kleimann 6,716 18.05
✓ Robert Nichols 20,176 54.24
Bob Reeves 4,674 12.56
Majority 13,460 36.18
Turnout 37,201

References
  1. "Mayors of Jacksonville | Jacksonville, TX". jacksonvilletx.org. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  2. "Election Returns". Texas Secretary of State. November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  3. "2006 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2007-01-01.
  4. "2006 Republican Party Primary Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 2006-01-02.
Texas Senate
Preceded by
Todd Staples		 Member of the Texas Senate
from the 3rd district
2007–present		 Incumbent
Preceded by
Kel Seliger		 President pro tempore of the Texas Senate
2017–2019		 Succeeded by
Kirk Watson
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