Nichols graduated in 1968 from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, with a degree in industrial engineering. He had a career as a small businessman before being elected mayor of Jacksonville, Texas, and served as mayor 1985-1989.[1]
Public serviceedit
During his tenure as mayor, Nichols streamlined the city government and helped to cut property tax rates. His service as Mayor eventually convinced then-Governor of Texas George W. Bush to appoint him to a six-year term on the Texas Transportation Commission in 1997. Nichols was appointed again in 2003 by former Texas Governor Rick Perry, and continued to serve until he resigned to prepare for a bid for the Texas Senate. According to his voting records, Nichols is the least conservative Republican member of the state Senate.[2]
2006 and 2018 electionsedit
Nichols faced stiff competition in 2006 from Republicans Bob Reeves of Center; David Kleimann of Willis; and Frank Denton of Conroe in the Republican primary. Nichols secured a 54% win, thus avoiding a runoff. Nichols' primary win was tantamount to winning the general election, as he did not have a Democratic candidate run against him in 2006.
In the general election of November 6, 2018, Nichols defeated the Democrat, Shirley Layton, and the Libertarian Party nominee, Bruce Quarels. Nichols received 214,756 votes (78.3 percent) to Layton's 56,274 (20.5 percent) and Quarles' 3,280 (1.2 percent).[3]
Service outside the Texas Senateedit
Nichols served as a board member of the now defunct Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas; the now defunct East Texas Medical Center (now University of Texas Health System, East Texas) and the Nan Travis Hospital Foundation, as chairman of the Jacksonville Economic Development Corporation.
Personal lifeedit
Nichols is wed to his high school sweetheart, Donna; they are parents of three children. Nichols is also the son of the co-founder of Nichols Industries, Inc., Talley Nichols, which was one of the largest manufacturers of toy cap guns in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. Nichols is a member of First United Methodist Church in Jacksonville.
Referencesedit
^"Mayors of Jacksonville | Jacksonville, TX". jacksonvilletx.org. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
^"Analysis: The 2023 Texas Senate, from right to left".
^"Election Returns". Texas Secretary of State. November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
External linksedit
Senate of Texas - Senator Robert Nichols
Project Vote Smart - Senator Robert Nichols (TX) profile
robert, nichols, politician, other, people, named, robert, nichols, robert, nichols, disambiguation, this, biography, living, person, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, adding, reliable, sources, contentious, material, about, living, per. For other people named Robert Nichols see Robert Nichols disambiguation This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification Please help by adding reliable sources Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page especially if potentially libelous Find sources Robert Nichols politician news newspapers books scholar JSTOR February 2017 Learn how and when to remove this message Robert Lee Nichols born November 25 1944 is an American politician who represents the 3rd District of the Texas Senate A Republican he was the senate president pro tempore of the 85th legislative session Robert NicholsMember of the Texas Senate from the 3rd districtIncumbentAssumed office January 9 2007Preceded byTodd StaplesPresident pro tempore of the Texas SenateIn office May 29 2017 January 8 2019Preceded byKel SeligerSucceeded byKirk WatsonMayor of JacksonvilleIn office 1985 1989Member of Jacksonville City CouncilPersonal detailsBornRobert Lee Nichols 1944 11 25 November 25 1944 age 79 Political partyRepublicanSpouseDonnaChildren3EducationLamar University BS Signature Contents 1 Early years 2 Public service 3 2006 and 2018 elections 4 Service outside the Texas Senate 5 Personal life 6 References 7 External linksEarly years editNichols graduated in 1968 from Lamar University in Beaumont Texas with a degree in industrial engineering He had a career as a small businessman before being elected mayor of Jacksonville Texas and served as mayor 1985 1989 1 Public service editDuring his tenure as mayor Nichols streamlined the city government and helped to cut property tax rates His service as Mayor eventually convinced then Governor of Texas George W Bush to appoint him to a six year term on the Texas Transportation Commission in 1997 Nichols was appointed again in 2003 by former Texas Governor Rick Perry and continued to serve until he resigned to prepare for a bid for the Texas Senate According to his voting records Nichols is the least conservative Republican member of the state Senate 2 2006 and 2018 elections editNichols faced stiff competition in 2006 from Republicans Bob Reeves of Center David Kleimann of Willis and Frank Denton of Conroe in the Republican primary Nichols secured a 54 win thus avoiding a runoff Nichols primary win was tantamount to winning the general election as he did not have a Democratic candidate run against him in 2006 In the general election of November 6 2018 Nichols defeated the Democrat Shirley Layton and the Libertarian Party nominee Bruce Quarels Nichols received 214 756 votes 78 3 percent to Layton s 56 274 20 5 percent and Quarles 3 280 1 2 percent 3 Service outside the Texas Senate editNichols served as a board member of the now defunct Lon Morris College in Jacksonville Texas the now defunct East Texas Medical Center now University of Texas Health System East Texas and the Nan Travis Hospital Foundation as chairman of the Jacksonville Economic Development Corporation Personal life editNichols is wed to his high school sweetheart Donna they are parents of three children Nichols is also the son of the co founder of Nichols Industries Inc Talley Nichols which was one of the largest manufacturers of toy cap guns in the 1940s 1950s and 1960s Nichols is a member of First United Methodist Church in Jacksonville References edit Mayors of Jacksonville Jacksonville TX jacksonvilletx org Retrieved 26 November 2019 Analysis The 2023 Texas Senate from right to left Election Returns Texas Secretary of State November 6 2018 Retrieved November 13 2018 External links editSenate of Texas Senator Robert Nichols Project Vote Smart Senator Robert Nichols TX profile 2006 Follow the Money campaign contributions Texas Senate Preceded byTodd Staples Member of the Texas Senatefrom the 3rd district2007 present Incumbent Preceded byKel Seliger President pro tempore of the Texas Senate2017 2019 Succeeded byKirk Watson Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Robert Nichols politician amp oldid 1218938212, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
