Robert Nichols

Occupation: Engineer — Plastics manufacturing
Education: Lamar University, B.S., Industrial Engineering, 1968
Legislative Experience: Senate Member, 2007 - present
Hometown: Jacksonville, Texas
Party: Republican

First elected to the Texas Senate in 2006, Robert Nichols represents 19 counties including the greater part of East Texas and Montgomery County.

In the Texas Senate, Nichols serves as Chairman for both the Transportation Committee and the Select Committee on Transportation Funding. He is also the Vice Chairman of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee. He sits on the Health and Human Services, Natural Resources and State Affairs Committees. Nichols is a former Vice Chairman of the Sunset Advisory Committee.

During his four sessions as a state senator, Nichols authored and passed legislation to protect landowners' rights, increase educational opportunities in East Texas and reform transportation policies. He has worked to reduce Medicaid fraud, and promote free-market principles. During his time with the Sunset Advisory Committee, he was able to help eliminate six state agencies which saved the tax payers $161.9 million. He has been named a 'Champion for Children' by the Equity Center, a 'Courageous Conservative' by the Texas Conservative Coalition, a 'Friend of County Government' by the Texas Association of Counties and a 'Champion of Free Enterprise' by the Texas Association of Business.

Before running for Senate, Nichols served as transportation commissioner for eight years where he established a reputation for increasing efficiency without compromising quality.

Nichols is a businessman from Jacksonville, Texas. In his hometown he served on city council, was elected mayor, built four successful manufacturing facilities, earned 32 U.S. patents, 128 foreign patents, and created more than 900 jobs for East Texas families.

Working his way through college by selling fireworks and ironing clothes for other students, Nichols earned a bachelor's degree from Lamar University in 1968. He married his high school sweetheart, Donna, and they are the proud parents of three children: Brittney, Joshua, and Collynn'rae. He is a member of the First United Methodist Church in Jacksonville.