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Joe Paz Herrera

Democrat | Texas

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Candidate Profile

Joe Paz Herrera — State Rep., Dist. 53 (Texas General | November 5, 2024) Joe Paz Herrera — State Rep., Dist. 53 (Texas General | November 8, 2022) Joe Paz Herrera — State Rep., Dist. 53 (Texas General | November 3, 2020)
State Senator, District 24 Texas General and Special General SD 22 | November 3, 2026
Ratings & research below apply to this race only — Select to see 3 other races

Liberal

BIOGRAPHY

EDUCATION

The University of Texas, San Antonio, B.B.A., 2001

Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, M.B.A., 2005

WORK & MILITARY

Georgia Pacific, Sr. Regional Account Manager, 2026-2026

The Campbell's Company, Team Leader, 2021-2026

Ferrara Candy Company, Key Account Manager, 2018-2021

AFFILIATIONS

KLRN Community Advisor Board, Chairman, 2016-2018

Texas Public Radio Community Advisory Board, Member, 2016-2017

The Medina County Democratic Party, Member, 2018-2026

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

(Candidate did not provide)

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

Texas Senate District 24, 2026-2026

ENDORSEMENTS

LIBERAL (7)

American Federation of Teachers AFT

Texas AFL-CIO

Williamson County Democratic Party

Blue Horizon Texas PAC

Center for Freethought Equality

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (2)

Texas AFL-CIO COPE

Blue Horizon Texas

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)

Sylvia Soto (2017)


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (8)

Gina Hinojosa (2026)

Vikki Goodwin (2026)

Blue Horizon Texas PAC (2024)

Democrat Women Organizations (2024)

Tejano Democrats (2022)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (6)

Blue Horizon Texas PAC (2025)

Local, County, District Democratic Organizations (2024)

Vikki Goodwin (2024)

Democrat Women Organizations (2022)

One Vote at a Time (2020)

OTHER INFORMATION

Candidate interview. Mothers for Democracy-Mothers Against Greg Abbott YouTube. 16 Feb 2024.

Candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023.

Candidate completed Alliance Defending Freedom Voter Guide Questionnaire.

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Disagree

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

I believe abortion should be legal early in pregnancy, with the decision made by a woman in consultation with her doctor, not politicians. Later in pregnancy, reasonable restrictions are appropriate, with exceptions for the life or health of the mother, severe fetal abnormalities, rape, and incest. These are deeply personal decisions, and Texas law should allow doctors and families to make them without unnecessary government interference

Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.

Disagree

I believe human life has inherent value and deserves respect. However, I do not support an absolute legal standard beginning at conception that removes a woman’s ability to make deeply personal medical decisions. I support reproductive freedom early in pregnancy, with reasonable restrictions later and clear exceptions for the life or health of the mother, severe fetal abnormalities, rape, and incest.

The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.

Disagree

The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.

Strongly Disagree


ECONOMY

What is your position on the minimum wage?

I support a reasonable increase in the minimum wage to reflect today’s cost of living. Any increase should be phased in responsibly to help working families while giving small businesses, particularly in rural communities, time to adjust.

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.

My priorities are strengthening audits and transparency across state agencies, eliminating duplicative programs and unnecessary administrative costs, increasing oversight of state contracts to prevent waste and cost overruns, and reviewing corporate tax incentives to ensure taxpayers receive a measurable return on their investment.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

Separation of church and state means government should neither establish nor favor a particular religion, while protecting every Texan’s right to freely practice their faith—or no faith at all. Religious freedom is fundamental, but government policy should serve all citizens regardless of their religious beliefs.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Neutral


HEALTHCARE

What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.

B, Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options.

The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.

Strongly Disagree


NATIONAL SECURITY

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Strongly Agree

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

Yes. The United States’ relationship with Israel is important because Israel is a key strategic partner in the Middle East, and our nations share important economic, security, and diplomatic interests.


IMMIGRATION

I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.

Disagree


EDUCATION

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Strongly Disagree

Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.

Agree


VALUES

Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.

Agree

Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.

Disagree

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Disagree

I support the expansion of gambling in my state.

Agree

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

My spiritual values are grounded in faith, compassion, humility, personal responsibility, and treating others with dignity and respect. I believe we are called to serve our neighbors, care for those in need, and strive to do what is right even when it is difficult. I also strongly believe in religious freedom and respecting the beliefs of others, including those whose faith or views may differ from my own.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Disagree


EQUALITY

Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.

Strongly Disagree

Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.

Agree


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.

Agree

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

Natural gas and nuclear power provide reliable, around-the-clock electricity, supported by wind and solar. Texas needs a diverse energy portfolio that keeps the grid reliable, affordable, and able to meet growing demand.


ABOUT YOU

When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?

Moderate

Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.

No

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.

No


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?

The goal of the criminal justice system should be to protect the public, hold offenders accountable, support victims, and administer justice fairly. It should also provide rehabilitation and second chances when appropriate, helping reduce repeat offenses and making our communities safer.

Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.

Strongly Agree

Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.

Agree


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

I support the Second Amendment and the rights of law-abiding gun owners. Public safety measures should focus on keeping firearms away from violent criminals and individuals legally determined to pose a serious danger, enforcing existing laws, strengthening background checks, and improving mental health and school safety resources.

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