Joan Huffman

Republican | Texas

Candidate Profile

Leans Conservative

BIOGRAPHY

Name

Joan Huffman


Party

Republican


Election Year

2018


Election

Primary


Race

State Senator, Dist. 17


Incumbent

Yes


Links

Joan Huffman websites FacebookX

EDUCATION

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, B.A., 1974

South Texas College of Law, Houston, Texas, J.D., 1984

WORK & MILITARY

Harris County District Attorney's Office, Secretary/Intern, 1981-1984

Harris County District Attorney's Office, Prosecutor, 1984-1997

Criminal District Court Judge, 183rd District Court, 1999-2005

AFFILIATIONS

Children's Assessment Center Foundation, Former Member Board of Directors, Child Advocates

Current Member Board of Directors

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Judge, 1999-2005

State Senator, 2009-present

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

(Candidate did not provide)

Race

Previous Races

SCORECARDS

CONSERVATIVE ORGANIZATIONS


LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS

ENDORSEMENTS

CONSERVATIVE (3)

Greg Abbott

National Rifle Association

Texas Conservative Review

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (6)

Governor Greg Abbott

Alliance for Life

Texas Conservative Review

Terry Lowry- The Link Letter

Houston Police Officer's Union

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS

CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (9)

Greg Bonnen

Local, County, and District Republican Organizations

Mark Shelton

National Right to Life Committee

Republican State Leadership Committee

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (32)

Associated Builders and Contractors

Barry 'Kip' Averitt

Bryan Hughes

Conservative Republicans of Texas

Craig Estes


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)

International Union of Police Associations

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (4)

American Federation of Teachers

International Association of Firefighters

International Union of Police Associations

Jose Menendez

OTHER INFORMATION

QUESTIONNAIRE

OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES

Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.

Strongly Agree

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.

Strongly Agree

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.

Strongly 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 Agree

It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has a livable income.

Strongly Disagree

It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.

Strongly Disagree

Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.

Strongly Agree

More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.

Strongly Disagree

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

Strongly Agree

Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.

Strongly Agree

Any teaching to children on sex education in public schools must include all contraceptive methods, and should not show preference to abstinence.

Strongly Disagree

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments.

Strongly Agree

Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.

Strongly Disagree

The state constitution should limit the growth of spending to the rate of population growth plus the rate of inflation.

Strongly Agree

Congress should pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

Strongly Agree

People should be allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."

Strongly Disagree

I support sanctuary cities.

Strongly Disagree

I support the death penalty.

Strongly Agree

Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.

Strongly Disagree

The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.

Strongly Agree

Parents should be the primary authority in decisions affecting their minor children.

Strongly Agree

Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.

Strongly Agree

I voted in these primaries and general elections:

2010 General Election, 2010 Republican Primary, 2012 General Election, 2012 Republican Primary, 2014 General Election, 2014 Republican Primary, 2016 General Election, 2016 Republican Primary

Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?

Rape, incest and life of the mother.

What in the nature of mankind caused America’s Founders to carefully define, separate, and limit powers in the Constitution?

"If men were angels, there would be no need for government." Federalist Papers No. 51. Men require a clear set of rules openly known and enforced and binding equally on everyone.

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I was raised Catholic and believe Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.

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?

Very Conservative

Please provide publicly available information validating your answer to the previous question.

All my voting record as a Texas State Senator is public record. Two examples of specific legislation I have sponsored and passed are the Voter Identification Bill and the Sermon Safeguard Bill passed this past session.

What is the best way to bring down unemployment?

Reduce taxes and regulation.

How would you promote healthcare coverage that is adequate, affordable and accessible for all?

Open the insurance markets across state lines. Expand tort reform like the Texas model to all other states. Restore the market model to healthcare and bring the patient back in control of their healthcare choices and back as payor.

What role should government play in boosting the economy?

The economy relies on government to build and maintain certain infrastructures and to provide a strong educational system. Government should not compete with private industry and commerce or pick winners and losers. Government should maintain a climate of low taxes and refrain from burdening with excessive regulation.

What education or experience qualifies you to hold the office for which you seek election?

I am an attorney who served as a prosecutor in Harris County for many years, working as a chief felony prosecutor, gang prosecutor and general counsel to the Organized Crime Narcotics Task Force. I also served as Criminal District Court Judge for several years. I have been in the Senate since 2009 and currently serve as Chair of the Senate Committee on State Affairs, and Vice-Chair of the Criminal Justice Committee. I also serve on the Finance Committee.

E-mail address and phone number for voters to reach you:

senatorjoanhuffman@gmail.com

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?

I have been a leader in the fight against human trafficking. I have authored and passed legislation establishing a statewide tracking system for evidence in sexual crimes, increased criminal and civil penalties for trafficking, compelling prostitution, and related criminal offenses. I have worked with Governor Abbott to create the Governor's Child Sex Trafficking Team. I believe we must continue to raise awareness of this tragic crime, work with volunteer and religious organizations, and provide law enforcement every tool needed to apprehend and prosecute traffickers who prey on innocent victims.

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