First session: 2013

Age: 48

Occupation: Orthopedic surgeon

Of note: Schwertner was chairman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee in the 2015 and 2017 sessions. He previously served one term in the Texas House. A recent University of Texas investigation into a sexual misconduct allegation against Schwertner did not find evidence of wrongdoing, but said he did not fully cooperate with the probe.

First session: 2007

Age: 60

Occupation: Lawyer

Of note: Elected twice as Austin's mayor, the first time in 1997, Watson left office early to run for Texas attorney general, losing to Greg Abbott by 15 points in 2002. He was chairman of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce in 2004. Watson's efforts in 2017 to increase government transparency were foiled in the Texas House but he plans to try again in the coming session.

First session: 1987

Age: 72

Occupation: Communications professional

Of note: The first Hispanic woman elected to the Texas Senate, Zaffirini boasts of a perfect attendance record since 1987 — except when she joined 11 Democrats who delayed a vote on redistricting maps by fleeing to New Mexico to break quorum during a 2003 special session.

First session: 2017

Age: 50

Occupation: Eye surgeon

Of note: Buckingham was the first Republican from Travis County elected to the Texas Senate and the first woman elected to represent Senate District 24. She is a former trustee on the Lake Travis school board and was chairwoman of the Republican Party of Texas Victory Campaign for the 2018 elections.

First session: 2013

Age: 64

Occupation: Emergency room physician

Of note: Campbell was chairwoman of the Senate Veteran Affairs and Border Security Committee the previous two sessions and the Joint Committee on Aging in 2017. She has performed hundreds of eye surgeries in Ghana as a volunteer with the Christian Eye Ministry and with International Aid. She challenged U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, as the tea party alternative in 2010, losing by 8 points.