José Rodríguez is a Mexican-American politician and attorney who served as a Democratic member of the Texas State Senate, representing District 29 (El Paso and surrounding areas) from 2011 to 2019. Prior to his Senate tenure, he served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1997 to 2010. As a legislator, he focused on education, immigration, and border issues, chairing the Senate Education Committee during his time in office. He was known for advocating on behalf of Latino communities and progressive causes in Texas, including efforts to expand access to higher education and protect immigrant rights. Born and raised in El Paso, Rodríguez earned a BA from the University of Texas at El Paso and a JD from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. Before entering politics, he worked as a lawyer and served as an assistant city attorney for El Paso. His legislative record includes sponsoring bills on education funding, environmental protection along the border, and criminal justice reform. After leaving the legislature due to term limits, Rodríguez continued his involvement in public service and legal work, particularly in areas affecting El Paso and the U.S.-Mexico border region, and was active in post-legislative lobbying networks, especially in education policy. Throughout his career, he has been a vocal advocate for bilingual education and has faced controversies related to border security and immigration policies, often clashing with conservative factions in the Texas Legislature. He remains active in community and legal circles in El Paso.