

Joan Huffman
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Joan Huffman
Party
Republican
Election Year
2018
Election
General
Race
State Senator, Dist. 17
Incumbent
Yes
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
2017
100%
2017
95%
2017
90%
2012
81%
2017
80%
2017
63%
2017
|100%
2017
|95%
2017
|90%
2012
|81%
2017
|63%
LIBERAL ORGANIZATIONS
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (5)
Greg Abbott
National Rifle Association PVF
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility
Texas Conservative Review
Texas Home School Coalition
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 (11)
Dennis Bonnen
Greg Bonnen
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations
Mark Shelton
National Right to Life Committee
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (33)
Barry 'Kip' Averitt
Bryan Hughes
Conservative Republicans of Texas
Craig Estes
Dan Patrick
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)
International Union of Police Associations
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (5)
American Federation of Teachers
International Association of Firefighters (includes national, state & local affiliates)
International Union of Police Associations
Jose Menendez
Leadership For Educational Equity
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.
Strongly Agree
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds or grants from federal, state, or local governments.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
Rape, incest and life of the mother.
ECONOMY
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has a livable income.
Strongly Disagree
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
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
What is the best way to bring down unemployment?
Reduce taxes and regulation.
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.
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.
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
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States and deserves the highest level of protection in the law.
Strongly Agree
HEALTHCARE
It is the government’s responsibility to be sure everyone has health insurance.
Strongly Disagree
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.
NATIONAL SECURITY
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
Islamic law (Sharia) should take precedence over national and state laws where there are Islamic majority communities in the U. S.
Strongly Disagree
I support sanctuary cities.
Strongly Disagree
The best way to maintain peace is through a strong military.
Strongly Agree
EDUCATION
Tuition-free public education should be guaranteed through college.
Strongly Disagree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which permitted our system of limited government.
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 allowed to use public restrooms, showers, and changing rooms based on "gender identity."
Strongly Disagree
Parents should be the primary authority in decisions affecting their minor children.
Strongly Agree
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.
ABOUT YOU
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
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 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.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support the death penalty.
Strongly Agree
Mandatory minimum sentencing should be required and enforced for violent crimes.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
More restrictive gun control is needed to protect public safety.
Strongly Disagree
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
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