Ethics Explorer
A Guide to the Financial Interests of Elected Officials
Sen. Robert Nichols District 3 (R-Jacksonville)
- Industry
- Business Owner, Engineering/Manufacturing
- Education
- B.S., Lamar University, 1968
- Spouse
- Donna
- Committees
-
- State Affairs
- Health & Human Services
- Intergovernmental Relations (Vice-Chair)
- Natural Resources
- Transportation (Chair)
Sources of Income
Nichols, an industrial engineer, has worked in plastics manufacturing. He has earned 32 U.S. patents and built four manufacturing facilities.
His business entities are Drip Rock Ranch in Jacksonville and Robert Nichols Enterprises, which he describes as a sole proprietorship. Nichols is a director at Austin Bank, Jacksonville Green Foundation, Lon Morris College, East Texas Medical Center and the Nan Travis Foundation.
Nichols’ investments include American Electric Power, Centerpoint Energy, Chevron, Conoco, Exxon Mobil, Altria, Merck & Co., Pfizer, Philip Morris International, AT&T, Verizon, Waste Management Inc. and Xcel Energy.
Property
748 acres in Garfield County, Colo., valued at $12.325 million
Six rental properties in Jacksonville with a total value of $271,140
A 13,975-square-foot home on 87 acres in Jacksonville valued at $840,080
Business property in Jacksonville valued at $93,540
178 acres of land, much of it with agricultural timber tax exemptions, valued at $230,920
Lake house in Cherokee County valued at $134,940
Top Contributors
- Bob Perry: $121,000
- James D. Pitcock Jr.: $78,420
- Associated General Contractors of Texas PAC: $61,644
- James D. Pitcock: $50,000
- James D. Pitcock, Jr.: $50,000
- Texas Medical Association: $32,500
- Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC: $25,184
- Texas Spine & Joint Hospital: $25,000
- John R. Weisman: $25,000
- Border Health PAC: $25,000
Analysis
Some of Nichols' investments are in companies that are regularly involved with the state as contractors, regulated industries or companies that lobby lawmakers.