Occupation: Businessman
Education: University of Texas at Austin, BBA
Hometown: Tyler
Party: Republican

Kevin P. Eltife was sworn in on March 5, 2004, to represent the citizens of Senate District 1. Previously Senator Eltife served on the Tyler City Council for three terms before serving as Mayor of Tyler for an additional three terms. During his tenure as Mayor, he implemented a business plan to put the city on a "pay-as-you-go" plan to reduce general obligation bond debt while cutting the city property tax rate by 50 percent.

In 1997 Eltife was appointed by Governor George Bush to serve on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Among the recognitions he has received for public service, the Texas Junior Chamber of Commerce selected him as one of Five Outstanding Young Texans in 1998. Active in his community, he has volunteered his time and energy to a variety of organizations including the East Texas Food Bank Board, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and Hospice of East Texas.

In 2010 Lt. Governor David Dewhurst appointed Senator Eltife to serve as Chair of the Senate Administration Committee, in addition to serving on the Senate Business and Commerce, Economic Development, Finance, and Natural Resources Committees. Senator Eltife was also chosen to serve on two Select Committees, Redistricting and Open Government, and serves on the State Preservation Board. In prior Legislative Sessions, Senator Eltife was appointed to the Senate Administration, Government Organization, Health and Human Services, and International Relations and Trade Committees.

Senator Eltife has received the "Freedom to Teach" award by the Association of Texas Professional Educators and was also named a "Champion for Free Enterprise" in 2005 by the Texas Association of Business. In 2007, the Texas Municipal League named him "Legislator of the Year." The Texas Association of Realtors gave him a Hall of Fame award in 2011. Also in 2011, he received an "Honorable Mention" from Texas Monthly magazine, which also recognized him in 2007 for being "tough, pragmatic, independent . . . (and) a problem solver."

A Tyler native, Senator Eltife is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He is the owner of Eltife Properties and resides in Tyler with his wife, Kelly, and sons, Walker and Jack.

Press Room
[Press Archives: 2009 | 2007]

January 27, 2009
Eltife Files Legislation to Protect Electric Consumers

February 5, 2007
Eltife Opposes HPV Vaccine Mandate

[ MORE ... ]

E-Mail Form

Thank you for taking the time to share your opinion on important issues facing our state. Your input is valuable to me in my efforts to represent the citizens of Senate District 1. I receive numerous emails daily and each one is carefully reviewed; however, I am unable to personally answer each one. If you would like a written response, please send a letter to my Capitol or District Office. Thank you again for your comments.Sincerely,
Senator Kevin Eltife
Texas State Senate
District 1

Office Information

82nd Session Committee Membership

• Administration, Chair
• Economic Development
• Business and Commerce
• Finance
• Natural Resources
• Open Government, Select
• Redistricting, Select
• Subcommittee on Fiscal Matters
• Subcommittee on Medicaid
• Subcommittee on Articles VI & VII

District Analysis: District 1

Click the map to view a detailed district map in PDF format

Population and Household Education and Employment Income and Analysis Population Analysis Precinct and Districts Cities and Census Designated Places School Districts General Election Analysis