Robert Nichols is a Republican Texas State Senator representing District 3, which covers 18 counties in East and Southeast Texas, including Anderson, Angelina, Cherokee, Hardin, Henderson, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson , Liberty, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Trinity, and Tyler. Born on November 25, 1944, in Jacksonville, Texas—his hometown—he is married to Donna Nichols and has three children: Brittney, Joshua, and Collynn'rae. Nichols has served in the Senate since his first election in 2006 and was last reelected in 2022 with nearly 80% of the vote. Notable achievements include chairing the Senate Transportation Committee, serving on Business and Commerce, Finance, Local Government, and Select Redistricting Committees, and previously as Vice-Chair of the Sunset Advisory Commission and President Pro Tempore . He authored legislation protecting landowners' rights, expanding educational opportunities in East Texas, reforming transportation, reducing Medicaid fraud, and promoting free-market principles; recognitions include Top Legislator by Texas Insider, Champion of Free Enterprise by Texas Association of Business, Courageous Conservative by Texas Conservative Coalition, Champion for Public Education by Raise Your Hand Texas, and Top 10 Best Legislator by Texas Monthly . Prior to the Senate, he served as Texas Transportation Commissioner in the 1980s and 1990s, Mayor, and City Council member in Jacksonville.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Lamar University .
• Political Experience:
  • Texas State Senator, District 3: 2007–present .
  • Mayor and City Council Member, Jacksonville, Texas .
  • Texas Transportation Commissioner .
  • County Chairman for Republican candidates including U.S. Senators John Tower, Phil Gramm, John Cornyn, and Governors George W. Bush and Rick Perry.