AUSTIN – Today at noon, Lois W. Kolkhorst took the oath to become officially sworn in as Senator for District 18. The ceremony took place in the Senate Chamber of the Texas Capitol in front of a packed gallery of over 400 supporters. The oath of office was administered by Attorney General and Governor-elect Greg Abbott. United States Congressman Michael McCaul of Texas’ 10th District served as the Master of Ceremonies.
“Today is not about me but rather it’s really about the people all across our Senate district. I’m honored to serve them and I’m ready to deliver the results they expect and deserve. As State Senator, my goals will be simple. I’m going to work hard to protect and preserve the rights of hardworking families and businesses across these twenty-one counties,” Kolkhorst said. “Texas is an exemplar of freedom, jobs and prosperity and my intention is to keep our state strong and free for our children and grandchildren.”
Senator Kolkhorst won the special election for Senate District 18 to succeed former Senator and Comptroller-Elect Glenn Hegar on December 6th with 55.69 percent of the vote, thus avoiding a runoff. Senate District 18 includes all or parts of 21 counties including Aransas, Austin, Burleson, Calhoun, Colorado, DeWitt, Fayette, Fort Bend, Goliad, Gonzales, Harris, Jackson, Lavaca, Lee, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, Victoria, Waller, Washington, and Wharton.
With Senator Kolkhorst being sworn into the Senate District 18 seat, a vacancy has now been created in her current House District 13 seat. An election to fill that vacancy will be called by Governor Rick Perry.
Senator Kolkhorst and her husband Jim have been married for 27 years and have two children, Lois Kate and Jake. Senator Kolkhorst has been the State Representative for House District 13 for 14 years and formerly served as Chair of the House Committee on Public Health.
