About Joan

Senator Joan Huffman started her career as a public servant in 1981. Upon earning her undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University, she became a secretary for the Harris County District Attorney’s office. It was there that she became inspired by the work of prosecutors and began to take night classes at South Texas College of Law while working full time. 

Upon earning her law degree, Senator Huffman was hired as a prosecutor and advanced from misdemeanor court to Chief Felony Prosecutor, Special Crimes Gang Prosecutor, and Legal Counsel to the Organized Crime Narcotics Task Force. She served as lead prosecutor in over 100 jury trials, including murders, sexual assaults, aggravated robberies, and sexual assaults of children. She later was twice elected as Judge of the 183rd Criminal District Court in Harris County.

Senator Huffman was first elected to the Texas Senate in 2008. Her background and knowledge on various topics has allowed for her to serve on several key committees which impact the overall operation and efficiency of state government. She currently serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on State Affairs, a committee that oversees complex state issues including pensions, elections, the judiciary, civil and family law, private property rights, and constitutional issues. As the Senate’s leader on these issues, she has championed many reforms including sponsoring legislation that saved the City of Houston from bankruptcy by reforming its failing pension system.

Additionally, Senator Huffman serves as the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice and is a senior member of the Senate Committee on Finance and the Legislative Budget Board. Senator Huffman’s common-sense approach to solving issues has allowed for her to build strong relationships with members of both parties, which enables her to represent the needs of her district and her constituents efficiently and effectively. Her leadership has been acknowledged by numerous advocacy groups. Senator Huffman was named as the “2017 Hero for Texas Children” by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and a “Big Voice for Little Texans” by the Court Appointed Special Advocates for her work to protect children. She was honored with the “Vision Award” from the Texas Advocacy Project for her work protecting victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. She is the only three-time recipient of the Texas District and County Attorneys Association’s “Law and Order Award” since its inception for her efforts to improve victims’ protections and the criminal justice system. She is widely recognized as the Senate’s leader in the fight against human trafficking and was named a “2018 Houston Hero” by Crime Stoppers of Houston in recognition of her dedication to public safety.

Senator Huffman lives with her family in Houston and proudly represents a diverse district which includes portions of Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Harris counties.