First elected in 1992, Nelson has served in the Texas Senate for 10 consecutive terms, more than any other Republican, according to the release. When she was first elected, she became the 10th woman and third Republican woman in the Texas Senate. She has served as the chair of the Senate Health Committee and was pro tem of the Senate during the 78th interim period.
Re-elected in 2020, she is currently the highest-ranking Republican in the Senate.
“It has been a great honor to represent our community in the Texas Senate," Nelson said in the release. "I promised to listen, work hard and deliver results and have strived to fulfill that pledge. Our accomplishments have improved the lives of Texans, which makes me proud.”
Nelson represents District 12, which includes parts of Denton and Tarrant counties. She is a businessperson and former teacher who previously served two terms on the State Board of Education.
She is the first woman in Texas legislative history to chair a budget-writing committee, the release stated. She is currently serving her fourth term as chair of the Senate Finance Committee. During her time, she wrote four state budgets, passing over $8 billion in tax relief and more than 30 bills combating domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking, the release said.
In addition, Nelson started the Cancer Research & Prevention Institute of Texas, revised foster care systems and expanded mental health care access, according to the release.
“I love my constituents, my staff, and my colleagues in the Senate and owe them, as well as my family, a debt of gratitude," Nelson said in the release. "As this chapter closes, you can count on me to keep working to build a better Texas."
