Joe P Herrera
Democrat | Texas
Candidate Profile
Liberal (Conditional)
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Joe P Herrera
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2020
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 53
Incumbent
No
Links
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
(Candidate did not provide)
AFFILIATIONS
Great Oaks Neighborhood Association, Member
KLRN Community Advisor Board, Chairman
Texas Public Radio Community Advisory Board, Member
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
(Candidate did not provide)
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
(Candidate did not provide)
ENDORSEMENTS
LIBERAL (1)
Living Blue in Texas
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
One Vote at a Time
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (2009)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
ActBlue (2020)
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Neutral
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Disagree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Every woman should have the right to choose to have an abortion. Personally, I feel that we should have far fewer abortions, but there are certain circumstances where abortions should always be protected, in the case of a rape or incest, or when the babies health or the health of the mother is in jeopardy.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Governments should not discriminate against individuals, organizations or small businesses because of their belief that marriage is only a union of one man and one woman.
Agree
Governments should define marriage as between one man and one woman; no other definition of marriage should be legalized or supported with taxpayer or public funds.
Strongly Disagree
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Neutral
I promise to protect the freedom of Christians to share the Gospel and to practice Biblical principles.
Yes
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
This means that we should not allow our churches, or religious beliefs interfere or shape policy at any level of government. Our country was founded on religious freedom and it is for that reason we need to keep our government free of influence or any one religion or beliefs. Anytime we try and let religion shape policy, it will end up impacting others who may not share those religious beliefs.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Agree
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Agree
How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?
I would stick with the current Affordable Care Act as the model for affordable healthcare.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to ensure everyone has a livable income.
Agree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would reduce governmental funding for our Universities or at least create guidelines ensuring that state funds could not be used to fund expenses related to college sports. The Universities should use the revenue generated from ticket sales, TV or other broadcast revenue to pay high paid coaches, and stadium enhancements. How can we justify using state funds to pay a football coach $5MM dollars a year, but yet we can not help a second grade teacher has to pay for her classroom supplies.
IMMIGRATION
I am in favor of construction of a wall and other necessary infrastructure on our border that gives complete control over entering and exiting the United States.
Agree
State and federal funds should be denied to any public or private entity, including but not limited to sanctuary cities, that are not in compliance with immigration laws.
Disagree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Anyone seeking to flee violence in their home country, people who are punished for their religious beliefs, or anyone who applies to become a citizen if they have family in the U.S. already. Students from other counties who are in college in high demand industries or industries where the U.S. does not have enough people able to fill the job needs.
EDUCATION
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Agree
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
No
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
We need enhanced background checks. We need to ensure that anyone that has been convicted of domestic violence, or any gun related crime should not be allowed to own a gun. We do need to review the kinds of weapons that are available for purchase. We also need to pass laws that make owning assault style weapons harder to obtain, and those kinds of weapons should have a waiting period to allow for more detailed background checks.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Agree
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana.
Agree
The Electoral College should be abolished.
Neutral
In priority order, what three areas of legislation do you propose to author or sponsor if elected?
Making High Speed Internet a Utility in Texas Funding bill for our Texas Public Schools addressing funding, reducing property taxes and addressing the high cost of insurance for retired teachers Expanding funding for Healthcare clinics across Rural Texas
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes it is. Racism widens the income, housing, and educational gaps in our society. When that kind of behavior, and unfair treatment continues, it puts the American dream out of reach for many folks. That creates extra demand on our governmental resources, our medical systems and our educations systems, which become a drag on taxpayers. Racism not only impacts current citizens, it creates generations of unequal treatment, pay, and access to educational opportunities that threatens the next generations of citizens, and will continue to stunt the future growth of our great nation.
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
I support the use of Sharia law as a basis for legislation and judicial decisions in the United States.
Strongly Disagree
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and immigration, which of the following best describes you overall?
Moderate
Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.
You can view my Facebook page @Joefortexas53 or my website www.joepherrera.com
What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?
Although I do hold both an undergraduate and graduate degree, I feel that there is not a requirement to hold advanced degrees to hold office. The fact that I am a resident of the district I am running to represent and that I plan on seeking the advice and guidance of local residents to guide my decision, and determine how I will vote on their behalf make me qualified to hold office.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?
I plan on representing all of the people in my district. I will never take their vote for granted and I will strive to solve as many issues impacting their lives each and every day. I will always put people before party and ensure that our students, business owners, farmers, teachers and all other folks have a shot at achieving their dreams each day. I will protect local control, strive to reduce their tax burdens and ensure their our Texas Students have their needs in the classroom met.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Disagree
I support adding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression as protected classes in non-discrimination laws.
Strongly Agree
Promotion of the LGBT agenda in public schools, including teaching of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity”, is completely inappropriate and should be opposed at the state and local level.
Strongly Disagree
I support allowing public high school students to participate in athletic competition based on the gender with which they identify instead of biological sex.
Strongly Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am Catholic and I believe in following Christian values.
