Eddie Lucio Jr.

Eddie Lucio Jr.
Member of the Texas Senate
from the 27th district
In office
January 8, 1991 – January 10, 2023
Preceded byHector Uribe
Succeeded byMorgan LaMantia
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 39th district
In office
January 13, 1987 – January 8, 1991
Preceded byRene Oliveira
Succeeded byRene Oliveira
Personal details
Born (1946-01-20) January 20, 1946 (age 78)
Brownsville, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMinnie Lucio
ChildrenEddie Lucio III, Lynda Lucio, Olivia Lucio
Residence(s)Brownsville, Texas
Alma materPan American University
ProfessionPresident/CEO, Rio Shelters Inc.

Eduardo Andres Lucio Jr. (born January 20, 1946)[1] is a Democratic politician who served in the Texas Senate, representing the 27th District from 1991 to 2023. Lucio also previously served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1987 to 1991.

Career

Lucio is the Chairman of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee. He also sits on the Committees on Natural Resources & Economic Development, Veterans Affairs & Military Installations, the Subcommittee on Border Security, and serves as Vice Chairman of Senate Education Committee. He also created and sits on the Interagency Tasks Force on Children with Special Needs.

Eddie Lucio began his public service in 1971, becoming Cameron County Treasurer and later Cameron County commissioner.

He authored legislation creating the Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC) and he worked for passage of a bill during the 81st legislative session that creates the University of Texas Health Science Center - South Texas to serve Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, Willacy, Brooks, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, Kleberg, and Zapata counties with a full-fledged medical school.

Lucio has worked to establish the partnership between the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College which allows UTB to become a four-year university and have access to the Permanent University Fund. Additionally, he authored the bill to create South Texas Community College.

Lucio was the only Democrat in the Texas Senate to support the 2013 legislation to restrict abortions to twenty weeks of gestation and to require abortions be performed in surgical centers. Lucio also authored legislation to require that women receiving abortions and physicians performing them take a free adoption awareness course.[2] He described himself as "pro-life" and was endorsed and supported by Democrats for Life of America, a "pro-life" or anti-abortion movement PAC.[3][4]

During the 78th legislative session, Lucio was elected by his colleagues as Senate President Pro Tempore.

On November 3, 2021, Lucio announced that he would not be running for reelection.[5]

Personal life

Lucio is the father of Eddie Lucio III, who served in the Texas House of Representatives. His dad is Eduardo Lucio. He was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas. He is a devout Catholic.[6]

Electoral history

2020

Texas general election, 2020: Senate District 27
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Eddie Lucio Jr. (Incumbent) 134,035 64.81 −35.19
Republican Vanessa Tijerina 72,768 35.19 N/A
Total votes 206,803 100.00%
Democratic hold

2016

Texas general election, 2016: Senate District 27
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Eddie Lucio Jr. (Incumbent) 135,945 100.00 0.00
Majority 135,945 100.00 0.00
Turnout 135,945
Democratic hold

2012

2008

Texas general election, 2008: Senate District 27
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Eddie Lucio Jr. (Incumbent) 111,596 100.00 0.00
Majority 111,596 100.00 0.00
Turnout 111,596
Democratic hold

2004

Texas general election, 2004: Senate District 27[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Eddie Lucio Jr. (Incumbent) 89,984 100.00 0.00
Majority 89,984 100.00 0.00
Turnout 89,984 +46.60
Democratic hold

2002

Texas general election, 2002: Senate District 27[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Eddie Lucio Jr. (Incumbent) 61,382 100.00 0.00
Majority 61,382 100.00 0.00
Turnout 61,382 −34.73
Democratic hold

2000

Texas general election, 2000: Senate District 27[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Eddie Lucio Jr. (Incumbent) 94,042 100.00 0.00
Majority 94,042 100.00 0.00
Turnout 94,042 +16.30
Democratic hold

1996

Texas general election, 1996: Senate District 27[10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Eddie Lucio Jr. (Incumbent) 80,865 100.00 +33.27
Majority 80,865 100.00 +66.55
Turnout 80,865 +1.44
Democratic hold

1994

Texas general election, 1994: Senate District 27[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Eddie Lucio Jr. (Incumbent) 53,194 66.73 −33.27
Republican Ismael Moran 26,527 33.27 +33.27
Majority 26,667 33.45 −66.55
Turnout 79,721 −1.53
Democratic hold
Democratic primary, 1994: Senate District 27[12]
Candidate Votes % ±
✓ Eddie Lucio Jr. (Incumbent) 33,467 70.56
Miguel Wise 13,964 29.44
Majority 19,503 41.12
Turnout 47,431

1992

Texas general election, 1992: Senate District 27[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Eddie Lucio Jr. (Incumbent) 80,961 100.00
Majority 80,961 100.00
Turnout 80,961
Democratic hold
Democratic primary, 1992: Senate District 27[14]
Candidate Votes % ±
Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa 25,132 42.67
✓ Eddie Lucio Jr. (Incumbent) 33,765 57.33
Majority 8,633 14.66
Turnout 58,897

References

  1. ^ Office of the Secretary of State (Texas) (September 13, 2002). "State Senate Candidates for 2002 General Election". Archived from the original on February 13, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2006.
  2. ^ Foxnews.com (2013-08-03) "Texas Democrat isn't giving up on abortion class" Retrieved 2013-08-21
  3. ^ Tribune, Patrick Svitek The Texas (November 6, 2021). "Democrat Eddie Lucio Jr. to retire after three decades in Texas Senate". TylerPaper.com. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  4. ^ "Texas Abortion Ban - Democrats For Life of America". www.democratsforlife.org. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  5. ^ Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. Backtracks on Re-Election Bid, Announces Retirement, The Texan, November 4, 2021.
  6. ^ "Biography: Senator Eddie Lucio". SenatorEddieLucio.com. Retrieved October 31, 2024.
  7. ^ "2004 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2007.
  8. ^ "2002 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2007.
  9. ^ "2000 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2007.
  10. ^ "1996 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2007.
  11. ^ "1994 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2007.
  12. ^ "1994 Democratic Party Primary Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2007.
  13. ^ "1992 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2007.
  14. ^ "1992 Democratic Party Primary Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 5, 2007.
Texas House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from District 39 (Brownsville)
1987–1991 		Succeeded by
Texas Senate
Preceded by Texas State Senator
from District 27 (Brownsville)
1991-2023 		Succeeded by
Preceded by President pro tempore of the Texas Senate
14 January 2003–2 June 2003 		Succeeded by