Donna Howard

Donna Howard
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 48th district
Assumed office
2006
Preceded by Todd Baxter
Personal details
Born (1951-10-25) October 25, 1951
Austin, Texas
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Derek Howard
Residence Austin, Texas
Alma mater University of Texas (B.A.)
University of Texas (M.A.)
Profession Community Advocate
Critical Care Nurse

Donna Howard (born October 25, 1951) is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing the 48th District since her election in 2006. She currently serves as vice chairman of the House Administration Committee and also serves on the Appropriations Committee, the Higher Education Committee, and the Appropriations Sub-Committees on Article III and on Budget Transparency and Reform.

Early Life, Education, and Early Career

Howard was born in Austin, Texas. She graduated from Reagan High School in Austin before moving on to the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a B.A in Nursing in 1974 and an M.A. in Health Administration in 1977.[1][2]

Howard worked as a critical-care nurse at Brackenrige Hospital and Seton Hospital in Austin.[3] While at Seton, she helped start the Good Health program and served as District 5 President of the Texas Nurse's Association.[3] Howard also served on the University of Texas faculty as a Health Education instructor.[3]

Political career

From 1996-1999, Howard served on the Eanes Independent School District school board.[4]

On February 14, 2006, Howard defeated Republican Ben Bentzin in a special election runoff to replace Todd Baxter.[5]

In the 2006 general election, Howard was again to face Bentzin, but Bentzin ultimately withdrew from the race, which Howard won by a wide margin.[6]

Howard retained her seat in 2008, defeating Republican Pamela Waggoner.[7]

In 2009, the Texas Association of Deans and Directors of Professional Nursing Programs honored Howard with its Champion for Nursing Education Award.[3]

In 2010, Howard narrowly defeated former Texas Longhorn and Denver Broncos player Dan Neil. On election day, the Secretary of State of Texas certified Howard as the winner by 16 votes.[8] Following a recount requested by Neil, the Secretary of State found Howard to still be the winner, though by only 12 votes.[9] Neil then requested that the election be investigated by the House of Representatives.[9] After a four-day hearing headed up by Representative Will Hartnett, Howard was found to have won the election by 4 votes and Neil ultimately dropped the contest.[9][10]

In 2011, Howard was the recipient of the 2011 Dr. Dorothy J. Lovett Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Texas School of Nursing and was inducted in the University of Texas College of Education Hall of Honor.[11][12]

Election history

Election history of Howard.[13]

Most recent election

2012

Texas general election, 2012: House District 48[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Donna Howard 46,512 59.19 10.66
Republican Robert Thomas 27,922 35.53 -12.98
Libertarian Joe Edgar 4,134 5.26 2.32
Majority 18,590 23.66 23.68

Previous elections

2010

Texas general election, 2010: House District 48[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Donna Howard 25,023 48.53 -5.21
Republican Dan Neil 25,011 48.51 +6.56
Libertarian Ben Easton 1,519 2.94 -1.35
Majority 12 0.02 -11.77

2008

Texas general election, 2008: House District 48[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Donna Howard 39,748 53.74
Republican Pamela Waggoner 31,028 41.95
Libertarian Ben Easton 3,174 4.29

2006

Texas general election, 2006: House District 48[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Donna Howard 31,255 77.76
Libertarian Ben Easton 8,939 22.23
Democratic primary, 2006: House District 48[18]
Candidate Votes % ±
Andy Brown 114 2.5
✓ Donna Howard (Incumbent) 4,133 92.3
Kathy Rider 229 5.11
Texas special election runoff, 2006: House District 48[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Donna Howard 12,620 57.61
Republican Ben Bentzin 9,284 42.38
Texas special election, 2006: House District 48[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Ben Bentzin 5,125 37.80
Libertarian Ben Easton 310 2.28
Democratic Donna Howard 6,705 49.46
Democratic Kathy Rider 1,416 10.44

References

  1. ↑ "Donna Howard Makes Re-election Bid Official on Opening Day of Filing Period". Texas Insider. 28 November 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  2. ↑ Murphy, Constance (24 July 2010). "AISD seeks volunteers to help dropouts". KXAN. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Rep. Donna Howard Honored with Champion for Nursing Education Award". Texas Insider. 5 February 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  4. ↑ MacLaggen, Corrie (13 November 2009). "Three vie to win in swing district". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  5. ↑ Smith, Amy (17 February 2006). "Howard Defeats Bentzin". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  6. ↑ Nichols, Lee (7 November 2006). "So Much for Those Travis Republican Districts". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  7. ↑ Whittaker, Richard (4 November 2008). "House Dems Happy". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  8. ↑ Eaton, Tim (23 November 2010). "Dan Neil seeks recount in House race". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 Eaton, Tim (22 March 2011). "Rep. Donna Howard addresses House". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  10. ↑ The Secretary of State still reports an official margin of 12 votes.
  11. ↑ "Lovett Award". University of Texas. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  12. ↑ "The College of Education - Donna Howard". University of Texas. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  13. ↑ Uncontested primary elections are not shown.
  14. ↑ "2012 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  15. ↑ "2010 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  16. ↑ "2008 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  17. ↑ "2006 General Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  18. ↑ "2006 Democratic Party Primary Election". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2012-07-25.
  19. ↑ "2006 Special Election runoff, State Representative 48". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  20. ↑ "2006 Special Election, State Representative 48". Office of the Secretary of State (Texas). Retrieved 2012-07-23.
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