Senate Elects Physician Legislator in High-Ranking Position for Interim Session
By Joey Berlin

In its final meeting of 2021, the Texas Senate elevated Sen. Donna Campbell, MD (R-New Braunfels), to president pro tempore for the upcoming interim session, making the emergency physician third in line for governor.

Since first elected in 2012, Senator Campbell has worked with medicine on a number of issues, including end-of-life care, health plan accountability, and personal protective equipment supply, to name a few.

She represents District 25, which encompasses parts of six counties including sections of Austin and San Antonio. Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) nominated Senator Campbell for the post at the opening of Monday’s concluding Senate meeting, paying tribute to her tireless work ethic.

“Dr. Campbell often works long hours in the emergency room and then runs over here to work on behalf of her constituents,” Senator Nelson said. “And let me tell you, Dr. Campbell – Senator Campbell – does a lot.”

Senator Campbell’s committee assignments have included a stint as the first female chair of the Committee on Veterans Affairs & Border Security. During the just-completed session, she served on the Health & Human Services, Administration, and Finance committees, and the Special Committee on Redistricting.

During a special ceremony on the Senate floor in March, she supported a resolution that recognized the “unwavering integrity, commitment, and compassion” of Texas’ health care workers. The resolution honored those health care workers who died during COVID-19.

“These Texans rushed to do their duty, continued to do their duty in spite of knowing that threat in the worst of circumstances,” Senator Campbell said.

“We lead by legislation, and we lead by our examples.”

In seconding the nomination, Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo) called Senator Campbell “probably the most popular member of the Senate.”

Others paying tribute to her prior to her appointment becoming official included Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Sen. Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood), and Sen. John Whitmire (D-Houston).

Last Updated On

June 01, 2021

Originally Published On

June 01, 2021

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