Nichols, R. C., 1928-

Robert C. "Nick" Nichols, legislator in the Texas State House of Representatives, was born November 15, 1928, in Norflet, Arkansas. He graduated from high school in 1946 from Kokomo, Mississippi, and moved to Houston, Texas, in 1948, where he was employed as a welder by Rheem Manufacturing Company. During his twenty-one years at Rheem Manufacturing, he held every elective office in his local union, from shop steward to president of Local 2883, United Steel Workers of America.

Nichols' interest in politics led him to participate in politics at the grass roots level, beginning with the position of Democratic Executive Committeeman from 1959-1968; chairman, Northshore area, Harris County Democrats for four years; chairman of the 1960 Kennedy-Johnson campaign; and chairman of the 1964 Johnson-Humphrey campaign in the Northshore area of Harris County. Nichols also worked on the campaigns of Congressman Bob Eckhardt and State Senator Barbara Jordan.

Nichols was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in a special election in June 1968, in Legislative District 23, Place 1, to fill a seat that had been vacated by Glenn Vickery, who resigned to accept an appointment as justice of the peace. Nichols was re-elected in 1970 from the same district. During those years as a legislator, Nichols served on the House committees on Labor, Elections, Motor Transportation, Penitentiaries and Youth. During the 62nd Legislature in 1971, he was a member of the "Dirty Thirty" coalition pledged to honesty and reform in state government.

Nichols was re-elected in 1972 from a new single-member district, number ninety eight. In January 1973, Nichols was elected chairman of the Harris County delegation, and he was appointed to serve on three committees: the Insurance, Labor and Election committees. He was re-elected to a fourth term in 1974. Nichols declined to seek a fifth term in 1975, and retired from the House to concentrate on business.

During Nichols' terms as a legislator, his major areas of interest were auto insurance rate reductions, improvements in workmen's compensation laws, industrial safety, consumer affairs, anti-pollution laws and governmental ethics. He has opposed every increase or extension of the general sales tax and has consistently favored a tax on corporate profits.

R. C. Nichols is married to the former Lynda Slocum, and they live in Houston. The Nicholses have two children, Joanne and Wayne, who are both married, and also live in Houston.

Sources:

Press Release from the Texas State House of Representatives. Series I, folder 1, Campaign Material, n.d.

From the guide to the R. C. Nichols Papers AR393., 1968-1982, (Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library)