[2] Rodríguez began his legal career by working for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Ford and Carter administrations.

For 17 years prior to his election to the Texas State Senate, Rodríguez served as the El Paso County Attorney.

Rodríguez's legal work has concentrated on education and community health, as well as funding for jobs and economic development.

[3][4] Rodríguez is an active legislator; in his freshman term, he proposed over 40 bills relating to education, health care, economic development, renewable energy, public safety and the courts, ethics and government transparency, and the military.

[citation needed] Rodriguez serves on several Senate committees: Agriculture (Vice-Chair), Natural Resources & Economic Development, Transportation, and Water & Rural Affairs.