Texas State Senator Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, made history last week as the first woman to preside over opening day in the Texas Senate.
Nelson gaveled in the Senate for the 86th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature on behalf of Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who was called to Washington, DC by the White House, according to a news release by Nelson’s office.
“I was honored to have presided over the first day of this legislative session and appreciate the Lieutenant Governor for entrusting me with this important responsibility,” said Nelson, who also made history in 2014 when she became the first woman to chair a budget-writing committee in the Texas Legislature. Nelson serves alongside nine women this session — the most ever.
Nelson is a former teacher who served two terms on the State Board of Education before being elected to the Senate in 1992. She is the highest-ranking Republican in the Senate and chair of the Senate Finance and Cybersecurity committees.
