Florence Donald Shapiro (born May 2, 1948) is an American politician from Texas. Her political career lasted over 30 years and coincided with Plano's growth from a bedroom community of 17,000 to a city of almost 300,000 residents. She served on the Plano City Council from 1979 to 1990 and served as the city's first female and Jewish elected mayor from 1990 to 1992.
As a Republican, Shapiro served in the Texas Senate from 1993 to 2013, representing District 2 from 1993 to 1995 and District 8 from 1995 until her retirement in 2013. Her constituency was centered in Collin County in the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, especially the city of Plano.
In the Texas Senate, Shapiro chaired the State Affairs Committee and the chamber's Education Committee from 2003 to 2013.
Early life and education
A first-generation American, Shapiro was born to German-born Martin and Ann Donald, both Holocaust survivors, in New York City on May 2, 1948.
After a decade in New York City, the family moved to Dallas, Texas in 1958, At UT, she met her husband Howard. and earned a B.S. in secondary education in 1970. After several years as an active volunteer in Plano, Shapiro was encouraged to run for the "woman's seat" on the Plano City Council. and was subsequently elected the first female and first Jewish Mayor of Plano. She served one term from 1990 to 1992. and the Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas's "Legislator of the Year Award" in 2008.
Shapiro was also involved in efforts to advocate for human rights and Holocaust education. President George W. Bush appointed Shapiro to the Honorary Delegation to Jerusalem for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel in May 2008. In 2009, Governor Rick Perry signed Senate Bill 482 co-authored by Shapiro and Rodney Ellis that established an 18-member Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission, charged with improving Holocaust and genocide education and organizing memorial events in Texas.
Governor for a day
In January 2005, she was elected President pro tempore of the State Senate, becoming second in the gubernatorial line of succession, behind the Lieutenant Governor of Texas. When both Governor Rick Perry and Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst were out of the state on official business on April 9, 2005, Shapiro served as the governor for a day, the sixth woman in Texas history to do so.
After forming the committee, Shapiro began heavy fundraising and had raised more money than any other declared candidate by the end of 2008. Shapiro raised $226,000 in the fourth quarter of 2008 and ended the year with $373,556 in her campaign war chest.
Hutchison formally announced her gubernatorial campaign on August 17, 2009. However, Hutchison did not resign from her Senate seat, announcing on November 13, that she would remain in the Senate during the campaign.
2012 election
Hutchinson subsequently announced on January 13, 2011, that she would not run for re-election in 2012 and would retire after 20 years in the U.S. Senate The next day, Shapiro decided against running to replace Hutchinson in the 2012 United States Senate election in Texas, ultimately won by Texas solicitor general Ted Cruz. Shapiro, who by then had raised approximately $1 million, formally withdrew her candidacy on March 31 and announced that she would refund her donors.
Retirement
On September 19, 2011, Shapiro announced that she would not stand for reelection to the Texas Senate. Her seat was ultimately won by State Representative Ken Paxton, who would later serve as the Texas Attorney General.
Post-political career
After retiring from the Texas Senate, Shapiro worked for an education company.
Personal life
Shapiro lives in Plano, Texas with her husband Howard. They have three children and 12 grandchildren.