Paul Sadler (D-TX-Senate)

Paul Sadler

Campaign links: Paul Sadler (D-TX-Senate)

Paul Lindsey Sadler

Paul Sadler Senatorial Candidate Texas

Biography of Paul Sadler from Paul Sadler for Senate

Paul L. Sadler served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1991 – 2003. During his tenure in the Texas House of Representatives, he served on numerous committees including Education, Judiciary, Pensions and Investments, Health and Human Services, Calendars and was one of eight members designated to the Legislative Budget Board. His most significant committee work, however, was in the area of Education. Sadler served on the House Public Education Committee from 1993 – 2003 (serving as Chairman of the committee from 1995 – 2003). Chairman of the Select Committee on State Revenue and Public School Finance in 1997; and Chairman of the Select Committee on Public School Employee Health Insurance in 2001. Paul was the only house member to serve as Chairman of more than one committee in the same session. He had dual chairmanships in two sessions in 1999 & 2001.

Among his accomplishments as Chairman, include the re-write of the entire Education Code in 1995 (known as the “Ratliff-Sadler Act”); enactment of public school employee health insurance for the first time in the history of the State; passage of a $3.8 billion education package, which at the time included the largest property tax cut in the history of the State; provided teacher pay raises for three consecutive sessions for the first time in the history of the State; established critical need programs for prekindergarten and kindergarten; the ninth grade initiative targeting students at risk of drop-out; and increased funding for public school facilities.

Sadler has received numerous awards for his legislative work. He was singled out by Texas Monthly during each of his legislative terms, being named to the Ten Best List in 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2001. He was recognized by the Dallas Morning News during each of his legislative sessions naming him as one of the three “Outstanding Legislators” in 1995 and one of “Six Stellar” legislators in 1997, recipient of the John B. Connally “Award for Excellence in Education” given by the Just For The Kids Foundation, as well as similar awards from every education group in the State of Texas.

Paul Sadler served as the Executive Director of the Wind Coalition for four years beginning in 2008. The Wind Coalition is a non-profit association designed to promote the responsible development of wind energy as a clean, reliable, affordable and infinite resource at the regulatory and legislative levels within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) grid systems which combined cover all or part of eight unique states: Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, and Nebraska.

Paul is also a licensed attorney in the State of Texas and Louisiana, board certified in Texas Civil Appellate Law and Personal Injury Trial Law, a graduate from Baylor University in 1977 and Baylor Law School in 1979 and is an active member of the State Bar of Texas and admitted and qualified in numerous federal courts including the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

In addition to his work as an attorney, Paul and his wife, Sherri, have five children: Erin, Brandon, Lee, Joel and Sam.

Honors, Awards & Engagements

Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association Special Recognition “for outstanding efforts to further the wind industry of the State of Texas” (2011)
Businessweek’s Premier Lawyers of America (2008)
Texas Super Lawyer (2006, 2005, 2004, 2003)
Texas Federation of Teachers Child Advocate Award (2003)
Texas Democratic House Caucus Service Award for Meritorious Service (2003)
Texas Women’s Political Caucus Good Guy (2002)
“Ten Best List” by Texas Monthly (2001, 1999, 1997, 1995)
Texas School Public Relations Association Key Communicator (2001)
East Texas Chapter of Texas Association of School Honorary Membership (2000)
Sabine Independent School District Appreciation for Leadership (1999)
Region IV Education Service Center Leadership & Commitment (1997)
Texas Association of Rural Schools Excellence in Leadership Award (1998)
Texas Association of Community Schools Honorary Life Member (1998)
One of six “Stellar Legislators” by the Dallas Morning News (1997)
Texas Music Educators Association Distinguished Service Award (1996)
Texas Association of School Psychologists Appreciation Award (1995)
Veterans of Foreign Wars Loyalty Day Award (1995)
John B. Connally Excellence in Public Education Award by Just for the Kids (1995)
Texas Classroom Teachers Association Friend of Education Award (1994)
Common Cause Star of Texas Public Service Award (1993)
One of three “Outstanding Legislators” by the Dallas Morning News (1995)