A native of Brownsville, Texas, and a graduate of Pan American University, Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. began his public service in 1971, when he was elected Cameron County Treasurer and later Cameron County Commissioner. Beginning in 1987, he served for two consecutive terms in the Texas House of Representatives until he was elected to serve in the Texas Senate in 1991. He has served as State Senator of Senate District 27 in South Texas ever since and is currently third in seniority in the Senate. He is the former Chairman of the Senate Committees on International Relations and Trade and Intergovernmental Relations and has most recently served as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committees on Finance and Education. On the national stage, he sits as Co-Chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures Hunger Partnership, where he advocates for food and nutrition programs to feed hungry families across the country.

Throughout his legislative career, Senator Lucio has championed equitable funding for education, teachers and public schools, inclusivity and health coverage for children with special needs, mental health programs, affordable housing, infrastructure and economic development, international commerce, numerous Veteran causes, and of course, legislation that safeguards life. Over the last 35 years, his work has led to milestones like the establishment of the UTRGV School of Medicine. Thanks to a historic piece of legislation passed in 1997, he proudly holds the title of "The Father of Medical Education." In addition, his work has catalyzed improved teacher retirement policies, sports programs for students with special needs, breakfast and lunch programs for low-income students, expanded access to quality healthcare, and increased trade across the Texas-Mexico border, to name a few.

His lifetime of advocacy and achievements has earned him countless, well-deserved awards from agencies and organizations across the state. He is selfless in his leadership and has always worked passionately to promote and represent the interests of the hard-working families of South Texas. Although he plans to retire from his position as a public servant at the end of his current term, he promises to never retire from his position as a servant of the people.

Upon retirement, Senator Lucio plans to establish a ministry for at-risk children and will continue his work as a pro-life advocate.

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. is married to his wife of 54 years, Minnie Lucio. He is the proud father of two children, his son, former State Representative Eddie Lucio III, who served 16 years in the Texas Legislature, and his daughter, Lynda Cisneros-Lucio, who has served as a public school counselor and teacher for over 25 years. He is grateful to have been blessed with five brilliant grandchildren, Carlos Lucio-Cisneros Jr., Alex Lucio-Cisneros, Annie Lucio-Cisneros, Olivia Lucio, and Eddie Lucio IV.


Click here for a high resolution version of Sen. Lucio's headshot.