Robert Nichols (Texas politician)

Infobox State Senator
honorific-prefix =
name = Robert Nichols
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state_senate = Texas
state = Texas
district = 3rd
term_start = 2007
preceded = Todd Staples
succeeded = Incumbent
birth_date = birth date and age|1944|11|25
birth_place =
death_date =
death_place =
nationality = American
spouse =
party = Republican
relations =
children =
residence =
alma_mater =
occupation =
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website =
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Robert Nichols (born 25 November 1944) is the Republican senator for the 3rd District in the Texas Senate.

Biography

Nichols defeated Bob Reeves of Center; David Kleimann of Willis; and Frank Denton of Conroe in the Republican Primary. Despite initial predictions that no candidate could win the primary outright and without a run-off election, Nichols won with over 54% of the vote.

Nichols earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Lamar University in 1968, having worked his way through college by selling fireworks and ironing clothes for other students.

Nichols went on to success as a small businessman: He built four successful manufacturing facilities by listening to customer needs and developing innovative solutions, earning 32 U.S. patents and creating 900 jobs for East Texas families.

As mayor of Jacksonville, Texas, Nichols streamlined government, improved services and cut property tax rates to the lowest level in 20 years.

Asking him to apply his proven ability to streamline government and improve services without raising taxes, then-Texas Governor George W. Bush recruited Nichols in 1997 to serve on the Texas Transportation Commission.

While fulfilling his six-year term on the commission, Nichols earned a reputation as a committed independent problem-solver, helping to triple the number of roadway construction projects built each year, without raising taxes.

Texas Governor Rick Perry reappointed him to a second term in 2003. Nichols gave up his seat on the Commission shortly before announcing his candidacy for the Texas Senate seat.

Recognized twice as Jacksonville Citizen of the Year, Nichols was also named Jacksonville Businessman of the Year, and the U.S. Small Business Administration Small-Business Person of the Year. He was awarded the Governor’s Industrial Expansion Citation by Governor William P. Clements.

Nichols serves as a board member of Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas; the East Texas Medical Center and the Nan Travis Hospital Foundation, as chairman of the Jacksonville Economic Development Corp. and was formerly on the Jacksonville City Council.

Nichols and his high school sweetheart, Donna, have been married for 31 years. They are parents of three children, Brittney, Joshua and Collynn’rae. Robert 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 1940's, 50's and 60's. Nichols is a member of First United Methodist Church in Jacksonville.

Election History

Most recent elections

2006

Election box begin
title=Texas general election, 2006: Senate District 3 [cite web | url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe | title = 2006 General Election | accessdate = 2007-01-01 | publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas)] Election box candidate with party link
party= Republican Party (US)
candidate = Robert Nichols
votes = 119,629
percentage = 83.13
change = +11.77Election box majority
votes = 119,629
percentage = 100.00
change = +55.18Election box turnout
votes = 119,629
percentage =
change = -12.03Election box hold with party link no swing
winner = Republican Party (US)Election box begin no party
title=Republican primary, 2006: Senate District 3 [cite web | url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe | title = 2006 Republican Party Primary Election | accessdate = 2006-01-02 | publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas)] Election box candidate no party with winner
winner =
candidate = Frank Denton
votes = 5,635
percentage = 15.15
change = Election box candidate no party with winner
winner =
candidate = Dave Kleimann
votes = 6,716
percentage = 18.05
change = Election box candidate no party with winner
winner = ✓
candidate = Robert Nichols
votes = 20,176
percentage = 54.24
change = Election box candidate no party with winner
winner =
candidate = Bob Reeves
votes = 4,674
percentage = 12.56
change = Election box majority no party
votes = 13,460
percentage = 36.18
change = Election box turnout no party
votes = 37,201
percentage =
change =

References

External links

* [http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist3/dist3.htm Senate of Texas - Senator Robert Nichols] official TX Senate website
* [http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=59338 Project Vote Smart - Senator Robert Nichols (TX)] profile
*"Follow the Money" - Robert Nichols
** [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200643&c=418891 2006] campaign contributions