The official Texas Senate biography identifies Menéndez’s family background and upbringing: “The son of immigrants, José Menéndez grew up working at his family’s small business located in San Antonio's West Side.”

Senator José Menéndez | The Texas State Senate

The official Texas Senate biography states: “Senator Menéndez graduated from Central Catholic High School before earning degrees in Business Administration and Latin American Studies at Southern Methodist University.”

The official Texas Senate biography states: “He has been married to his best friend Cehlia Newman-Menéndez since 1995. They have three children, Dominic, Victoria, and Austin.”

José Menéndez grew up on San Antonio's West Side. He earned degrees in business administration and Latin American studies from Southern Methodist University. He has been married to Cehlia Newman-Menéndez since 1995, and they have three children.

Senator José Menéndez: District 26 | The Texas State Senate

The candidate website biography describes non-elected work after summarizing his current and former elected offices: “He has also worked as a director and commercial marketing executive of multicultural markets.”

Who is Jose Menendez (Texas senator)?

José Menéndez has worked as a director and commercial marketing executive in multicultural markets.

The official Texas Senate biography states: “Senator Menéndez began his public service career in 1997 when he was elected to the San Antonio City Council District 6 office, representing the city’s West Side. He was then elected to serve as State Representative for House District 124 in 2000.”

José was elected as the state representative for Texas House District 124 in 2000. He was previously elected to the San Antonio City Council for District 6 in 1997.

2026 Texas General Election

The candidate website says: “Jose Menendez contributed to the Teachers Retirement System of the State of Texas by sponsoring a bill allowing for adjustments for cost-of-living applicable to specific benefits. Jose Menendez also sponsored a bill advocating for the monetary assistance for the designated caretaker or relative of a foster child.”

Jose Menendez’s Bills and Contributions

Sponsored a bill allowing cost-of-living adjustments to specified Teachers Retirement System of the State of Texas benefits.

- Sponsored a bill allowing cost-of-living adjustments to specified Teachers Retirement System of the State of Texas benefits.

Economy

The official Senate biography states: “During his term in office, Menéndez passed over 200 bills that benefited children, seniors, veterans, and San Antonio families. One of the bills, David's Law, empowers students, parents, schools, and law enforcement to combat and prevent cyberbullying.”

As a state senator, passed David's Law, which empowers students, parents, schools, and law enforcement to combat and prevent cyberbullying.

- As a state senator, passed David's Law, which empowers students, parents, schools, and law enforcement to combat and prevent cyberbullying.

Public Safety

The November 12, 2018 Senate press release describes Senate Bill 90 and quotes Menéndez’s position on clinical decision-making: “Senate Bill 90 would also allow doctors to treat medical cannabis like any other medicine. ‘Doctors, not politicians, should determine what is best for Texas patients,’ said Senator Menéndez.”

p20181112b.pdf

The candidate website describes 2019 bills: “One of them was one pertaining to the hazing offense. He also sponsored another bill that would allow specific health benefit programs to cover mammography.”

Said doctors, rather than politicians, should determine what is best for Texas patients, as Senate Bill 90 would let doctors treat medical cannabis like other medicine.

Sponsored a bill to allow specified health benefit programs to cover mammography.

- Said doctors, rather than politicians, should determine what is best for Texas patients, as Senate Bill 90 would let doctors treat medical cannabis like other medicine.
- Sponsored a bill to allow specified health benefit programs to cover mammography.

Healthcare

In a November 12, 2024 statement on his bill filing for the 89th Legislative Session, Menéndez said: “Today, we filed legislation that represents the needs of Senate District 26 and Texas. Now more than ever we need to preserve and fully fund our public education system, ensure folks have access to higher education, assure people’s health and well-being, safeguard the right to vote, and prevent discrimination in our State.”

Media Release: November 12, 2024 — Senator José Menéndez Issues Statement on Bill Filing for 89th Legislative Session

The candidate website says: “He also sponsored a bill pertaining to supplemental data needed for inclusion with a written statement of a specialized education program created for specific public school students who were recipients of 2019/2020 or 2020/2021 special education services. Another education-related bill he sponsored was one pertaining to the provision of specific special education services, as well as a special liaison program at public school districts.”

The Texas Senate biography says: “Senator Menéndez is also a strong advocate for job growth, community and business development. Along with his successful legislation, Senator Menéndez has secured millions of dollars for advancements in education, healthcare, parks, and additional funding developments, including $17 million for the Alamo Colleges.”

Calls for preserving and fully funding public education and ensuring access to higher education.

Sponsored a bill to provide specified special education services and establish a liaison program in public school districts.

As a state senator, secured $17 million for the Alamo Colleges.

- Calls for preserving and fully funding public education and ensuring access to higher education.
- Sponsored a bill to provide specified special education services and establish a liaison program in public school districts.
- As a state senator, secured $17 million for the Alamo Colleges.

Education

In his November 12, 2024 statement on 89th Legislative Session bill filing, Menéndez said: “Today, we filed legislation that represents the needs of Senate District 26 and Texas. Now more than ever we need to preserve and fully fund our public education system, ensure folks have access to higher education, assure people’s health and well-being, safeguard the right to vote, and prevent discrimination in our State. Our team is working hard for our constituents, and we will continue to file additional bills to enhance our electric grid, establish a crisis nursery license, support our communities, and more.”

Plans to file additional bills to enhance Texas's electric grid.

- Plans to file additional bills to enhance Texas's electric grid.

Energy & the Environment

As of August 27, 2026, Jose Menendez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Voting & Elections

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Jose Menendez

As of August 27, 2026, José Menéndez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

José Menéndez

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- Your state senator represents the interests of your district in the Texas State Senate. The State Senate, along with the State House of Representatives, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Texas Legislature.
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- There are 31 Texas state senators, each representing a single district with a constituency of around 1 million.
- State senators are elected to 4-year terms and one 2-year term per decade, and there are no term limits.
- They are paid a salary of $7,200/year and a per diem of $221/day.

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