Jane Nelson

Jane Nelson
Member of the Texas Senate from the 12th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 14, 2003
Preceded by	Mike Moncrief
Member of the Texas Senate from the 9th district
In office January 10, 1995 – January 13, 2003
Preceded by	David Sibley
Succeeded by	Chris Harris
Member of the Texas Senate from the 22nd district
In office January 12, 1993 – January 9, 1995
Preceded by	Bob Glasgow
Succeeded by	David Sibley
Personal details
Born	(1951-10-05) October 5, 1951 (age 69) Hamilton, Ohio
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	J. Michael Nelson
Children	5
Residence	Flower Mound, Texas
Alma mater	North Texas State University (BS)
Occupation	Businesswoman
Website	https://www.janenelson.org/

Jane Gray Nelson^[1] (born October 5, 1951)^[2] is an American businesswoman and former school teacher (1973-1978)^[3] who represents Texas Senate District 12, encompassing parts of Denton and Tarrant counties. She was elected to the Senate in 1992 after serving two two-year terms (1988–1992) on the Texas State Board of Education.

Texas Senate[]

Nelson is the highest-ranking Republican woman in the Texas Senate. The tenth woman ever elected to the Texas Senate, she was the first Republican woman ever appointed chair of a standing committee and now holds the distinction of being longest-serving chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in Texas history. In 2015, she was appointed chair of the Senate Finance Committee, being the first woman to hold the position in the history of the Texas Senate. She also serves as chair of the Sunset Advisory Commission.

During the 2013 legislative session, Nelson authored 40 bills that were passed into law by the Legislature, and she served as the Senate sponsor on 30 successful bills authored by House members. She served on 19 conference committees, including for SB 1, the appropriations bill. Nelson chaired the Article II workgroup, which increased the women's health budget by $100 million and made significant new investments in mental health and Child Protective Services.^{[citation needed]}

In October of 2019, the Texas Parent Teacher Association named Nelson a Texas PTA Champion for Children for her leadership during the 86th Legislative Session.^[4]

Senate Health and Human Services Committee[]

In July 2013, Nelson presided over a 16-hour hearing on an abortion bill that drew testimony from over 3,800 people, including 357 who provided oral testimony. The bill, HB 3, sought to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The bill also required abortion facilities to upgrade to ambulatory surgical standards.^{[citation needed]}

Retirement from the Texas Senate[]

In July 2021, Nelson announced she will not seek an 11th term to the Texas Senate.^[5]

Family[]

Nelson and her husband, Mike Nelson, have five adult children and twelve grandchildren.

References[]

External links[]

• Campaign website
• State legislative page
• Project Vote Smart - Senator Jane Gray Nelson (TX) profile
• Politifact Check Senator Jane Gray Nelson (TX)
• Follow the Money - Jane Nelson
  • 2006 2004 2002 2000 campaign contributions
• Appearances on C-SPAN