Eliot Shapleigh

Infobox State Senator
honorific-prefix =
name = Eliot Shapleigh
honorific-suffix =


state_senate = Texas
state = Texas
district = 29th
term_start= December 21, 1997
term_end=
predecessor= Peggy Rosson
successor=Incumbent
party= Democrat
birth_date= November 11, 1952
birth_place= El Paso, Texas
death_date=
death_place=
residence= El Paso, Texas
alma_mater = Rice University, University of Texas
profession=Attorney
religion= Episcopalian
website=

Eliot Shapleigh (born November 11, 1952) is a politician from the state of Texas, currently representing the state's 29th Senatorial District which comprises the majority of El Paso County.

Background

Eliot Shapleigh was born and raised in El Paso. He has lived and traveled extensively in Mexico, and is a fluent Spanish speaker today. Senator Shapleigh graduated from Rice University in 1974 and served in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone, West Africa until 1977. He then attended The University of Texas School of Law, graduating in 1981. In 1983, Senator Shapleigh founded his own law firm with two partners and today is the managing partner of the Shapleigh Law Firm, PC.

Senator Shapleigh currently resides in El Paso, Texas.

Legislative record

In May 2007, Senator Shapleigh completed his sixth session as a legislator. During his tenure as a state Senator, he has authored or sponsored more than 400 bills, with particular focus on education, economic development, infrastructure, technology, veteran and health care issues. Additionally, he has been integral in helping prepare the State for the Department of Defense's periodic reassessment of infrastructure needs, or base realignment and closure (BRAC). In 2003, Senator Shapleigh spearheaded the state's preparation for the 2005 BRAC round by authoring the omnibus Texas Military Preparedness Act, SB 652.

As a result of his commitment to Texas' defense dependent communities and military heritage, Senator Shapleigh was appointed Chair of the Subcommittee on Base Realignment and Closure in 2004 and continues to lead that committee. He also serves as Vice Chair on Veterans Affairs and Military Installations Committee.

Additionally, Shapleigh is a member of the Health & Human Services Committee, Nominations, Transportation & Homeland Security, and the Sunset Advisory Commission. He also serves as Chair of the ten state Border Legislative Conference, a bi-national program that brings together legislators from the ten U.S. and Mexico border states to address challenges and economic opportunities common to both countries.

Senator Shapleigh is dedicated to increasing equity in state funding, ensuring fairness in state taxation, expanding educational opportunities for minority and low-income students and developing community solutions for health, safety and environmental issues. As an advocate for El Paso and other border communities, he is also interested in raising per capita income and boosting economic prosperity along the Texas Border.

The Texas Eleven

Senator Shapleigh was involved and one of the Texas State Senators Democrats who fled the state of Texas for New Mexico for 46 days in 2003 in a quorum-busting effort aimed at preventing the passage of controversial redistricting legislation, spearheaded by then Congressional House Majority leader Tom Delay, that would have benefited Texas Republicans.

Eventually the Texas Eleven was vindicated by the United States Supreme Court through its rulings that the re-districting could be considered gerrymandering, and did bear unconstitutional elements.

Honors

Throughout Senator Shapleigh's service in the Senate, he has received numerous honors for his work on educational, health, and border issues, on developing innovative technology programs, and for his integrity and passion.

National honors include being named a Visionary Technology Innovator by the Center for Digital Government in 2003 for his commitment to expanding access to government services through technology. In particular, the Center for Digital Government cited Senator Shapleigh's work in developing and expanding the TexasOnline state portal and for developing a laptop immersion program. Also, at the national level, Senator Shapleigh was named Legislator of the Year by the American School Health Association for his commitment to the health of school children.

At the state level, he has been named the Texas Legislator of the Year by the Mexican American Bar Association, the Hispanic Journal, Texas Pharmacy Association, Texas Sierra Club, and the Texas American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

His work on behalf of Texas school children has been honored by various Texas advocacy groups. Upon completion of the 78th Legislative session, Shapleigh was named the Texas Classroom Advocate of the Year by the Classroom Teachers Association. Additionally, the Child Crisis Centers of Texas presented Senator Shapleigh with the Texas Advocate for Children Award, and the Texas Equity Center named Senator Shapleigh a "Champion For School Children". Finally, in 2006, the Association of Texas Professional Educators awarded Senator Shapleigh with one of their first "Freedom to Teach" awards.

Additionally, the American Cancer Society presented Senator Shapleigh with the Texas Advocacy Award and the Texas Public Interest Research Group, TexPIRG, named Senator Shapleigh a Public Interest Champion in 2005, and the Texas Guardianship Association gave him 2005's Visionary Award for his work in reforming adult protective services in Texas. Finally, Senator Shapleigh was named the "Conscience of the Senate" by Texas Monthly magazine due to the commitment and integrity he displayed during the most recent legislative session.

In March, 2006, Senator Shapleigh received two additional statewide awards. He was awarded the Education Leadership Award through the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) and the Legislator of Excellence Award from the Texas Independent Living Council for his part in protecting and advancing the rights of Texans with Disabilities by authoring the Adult Protective Services Reform Act of 2005.

In September 2007, Senator Shapleigh was given the MALDEF Matt Garcia Public Service Award for his work on immigration issues and his leadership on other statewide issues affecting the Mexican-American community. In October 2007, Senator Shapleigh was given the Friend of Education Award from the Texas Council for the Social Studies. The Senator is also the current chairman of the Border Legislative Caucus of the 10 US-Mexico Border States.

Senator Shapleigh was also honored in January 2008 in Austin for his commitment to the advancement of technology in Texas. Senator Shapleigh was recognized by the American Electronics Association (AeA) Texas Council as a 2007 Texas Technology Champion for his pioneer work in developing "Texas Online," one of the top state government websites in the United States; launching the "Texas Technology Immersion Program," a program designed to provide laptops for every Texas public school student; and creating E-Vets, an innovative one-stop shop for Texas veterans to locate key federal, state and local veteran-related programs.

Locally, Senator Shapleigh has been honored by numerous organizations for his commitment to his community. Senator Shapleigh was awarded the Conquistador Award by the El Paso City Council, and named El Pasoan of the Year by El Paso Inc. for his work in bringing a four year medical school to the community. The Black El Paso Democrats named him Humanitarian of the Year in 2004, and he was inducted into the El Paso Democratic Party's Hall of Fame. The El Paso Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women honored Senator Shapleigh with the Hannah Solomon Award and the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce inducted him into their Technology Hall of Fame. Finally, the Senator has twice been named Public Servant of the Year for El Paso and the Border - by Volar and by "What's Up Magazine". Most recently, the City of Socorro awarded the Senator with the City of Socorro - District 3 Community Service Award in February 2006.

Trivia

* Senator Shapleigh is a fifth-generation El Pasoan whose roots in his community trace back to 1847.
* Senator Shapleigh is an avid hiker and outdoorsman.
* Senator Shapleigh served in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone, West Africa until 1977.

Election history

Election history of District 29 from 1992. [Uncontested primary elections are not shown.]

Most recent election

2006

Election box begin
title=Texas general election, 2006: Senate District 29 [cite web | url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe | title = 2006 General Election | accessdate = 2007-01-05 | publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas)] Election box candidate with party link
party= Republican Party (US)
candidate = Donald R. “Dee” Margo
votes = 36,127
percentage = 41.21
change = +41.21Election box candidate with party link
party= Democratic Party (US)
candidate = Eliot Shapleigh (Incumbent)
votes = 51,531
percentage = 58.79
change = -41.21Election box majority
votes = 15,404
percentage = 17.57
change = -82.43Election box turnout
votes = 87,658
percentage =
change = +19.74Election box hold with party link no swing
winner = Democratic Party (US)

Previous elections

2002

Election box begin
title=Texas general election, 2002: Senate District 29 [cite web | url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe | title = 2002 General Election | accessdate = 2007-01-05 | publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas)] Election box candidate with party link
party= Democratic Party (US)
candidate = Eliot Shapleigh (Incumbent)
votes = 73,205
percentage = 100.00
change = 0.00Election box majority
votes = 73,205
percentage = 100.00
change = 0.00Election box turnout
votes = 73,205
percentage =
change = -27.55Election box hold with party link no swing
winner = Democratic Party (US)

2000

Election box begin
title=Texas general election, 2000: Senate District 29 [cite web | url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe | title = 2000 General Election | accessdate = 2007-01-05 | publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas)] Election box candidate with party link
party= Democratic Party (US)
candidate = Eliot Shapleigh (Incumbent)
votes = 101,045
percentage = 100.00
change = +26.28Election box majority
votes = 101,045
percentage = 100.00
change = +52.55Election box turnout
votes = 101,045
percentage =
change = -17.11Election box hold with party link no swing
winner = Democratic Party (US)

1996

Election box begin
title=Texas general election, 1996: Senate District 29 [cite web | url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe | title = 1996 General Election | accessdate = 2007-01-05 | publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas)] Election box candidate with party link
party= Republican Party (US)
candidate = Randy Berry
votes = 32,029
percentage = 26.28
change = +26.28Election box candidate with party link
party= Democratic Party (US)
candidate = Eliot Shapleigh
votes = 89,868
percentage = 73.72
change = -26.28Election box majority
votes = 57,839
percentage = 47.45
change = -52.55Election box turnout
votes = 121,897
percentage =
change = +89.85Election box hold with party link no swing
winner = Democratic Party (US)Election box begin no party
title=Democratic primary runoff, 1996: Senate District 29 [cite web | url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe | title = 1996 Democratic Party Primary Runoff Election | accessdate = 2007-01-05 | publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas)] Election box candidate no party with winner
winner = ✓
candidate = Eliot Shapleigh
votes = 24,666
percentage = 61.82
change = [Change from Primary Election] +26.30Election box candidate no party with winner
winner =
candidate = Hector Villa
votes = 15,235
percentage = 38.18
change = +18.70Election box majority no party
votes = 9,431
percentage = 23.64
change = Election box turnout no party
votes = 39,901
percentage =
change = Election box begin no party
title=Democratic primary, 1996: Senate District 29 [cite web | url = http://elections.sos.state.tx.us/elchist.exe | title = 1996 Democratic Party Primary Election | accessdate = 2007-01-05 | publisher = Office of the Secretary of State (Texas)] Election box candidate no party with winner
winner =
candidate = Ray Mancera
votes = 8,672
percentage = 17.38
change = Election box candidate no party with winner
winner =
candidate = Rene Nunez
votes = 5,758
percentage = 11.54
change = Election box candidate no party with winner
winner = ✓
candidate = Eliot Shapleigh
votes = 17,723
percentage = 35.52
change = Election box candidate no party with winner
winner =
candidate = Marie Tarvin-Garland
votes = 8,017
percentage = 16.07
change = Election box candidate no party with winner
winner = ✓
candidate = Hector Villa
votes = 9,722
percentage = 19.49
change = Election box turnout no party
votes = 49,892
percentage =
change =

ee also

*Texas Eleven

Notes

External links

* [http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist28/dist28.htm Senate of Texas - Senator Eliot Shapleigh] official TX Senate website
* [http://shapleigh.org/ Eliot Shapleigh] official campaign website
* [http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=9968 Project Vote Smart - Senator Eliot Shapleigh (TX)] profile
*"Follow the Money" - Eliot Shapleigh
** [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=81174 2006] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=71833 2004] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=6430 2002] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=52622 2000] campaign contributions