About

Senator Joan Huffman

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 decided to attend law school. While continuing to work full-time, she took night classes at the South Texas College of Law.

 

Upon earning her law degree, Huffman was hired as a prosecutor in Harris County 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, and aggravated robberies. Huffman earned a reputation as a fair but tough enforcer of the law, both as a prosecutor and a twice elected Judge to the 183rd Criminal District Court.

Senator Huffman was first elected to the Texas Senate in 2008 and has been re-elected five times.
As a respected conservative voice in the Texas Senate, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has looked to her to serve in leadership roles that have a direct impact on every aspect of our state government. Senator Huffman currently serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and is a senior member of the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice and the Legislative Budget Board.

Senator Huffman’s common-sense approach to solving complex issues and her reputation as a trusted conservative leader has helped her to build strong working relationships with her colleagues and state leadership. For her efforts, she has received awards and recognitions from advocacy groups and organizations like the Texas District and County Attorney’s
Association, the Texas Municipal Police Association, the Texas Sheriff’s Association, the National Rifle Association, the Texas Veterans Commission, the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault, the Children’s Hospital Association of Texas, the Cancer Action Network, the Texas Association of Business, the Texas Farm Bureau, and many more.

Senator Huffman lives with her family in Houston and proudly represents a diverse district which includes all or parts of Brazoria, Colorado, Fort Bend, Harris, Jackson, Matagorda, Waller and Wharton Counties.

Awards & Honors

Texas Secretary of the Senate

100% Attendance Record since 2009

Texas Secretary of the Senate

100% Attendance Record since 2009

Texas District & County Attorney Association

Law & Order Award

Texas District & County Attorney Association

Law & Order Award

Texas District & County Attorney Association

Lone Star Legislator Award

Texas District & County Attorney Association

Lone Star Legislator Award

Texas Advocacy Project

Vision Award

Vision Award

Texas Branch- Texas Hero for Children Award (2017)

Children’s Hospital Association of Texas

Texas Healthcare Hero Award

Children’s Hospital Association of Texas

Texas Healthcare Hero Award

Sheriff’s Association of Texas

Senator of the Year Award

Sheriff’s Association of Texas

Senator of the Year Award

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Texas Branch

Texas Hero for Children Award

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Texas Branch

Texas Hero for Children Award

Texas Faith and Family Values

Faith & Family Champion

Texas Faith and Family Values

Faith & Family Champion

Texas Press Association

Champion of Transparency Award

Texas Press Association

Champion of Transparency Award

Texas Family Law Foundation

Legislator of the Year Award

Texas Family Law Foundation

Legislator of the Year Award

Texas Right to Life

100% Pro Life Rating

Texas Right to Life

100% Pro Life Rating

Harris County Medical Society

Patient Care Champion

Harris County Medical Society

Patient Care Champion

Texas Public Employees Association

Legislative Star Award

Texas Public Employees Association

Legislative Star Award

Texas Humane Legislative Network

Legislative Award

Texas Humane Legislative Network

Legislative Award

Texas Pets Alive

Legislative Courage Award

Texas Pets Alive

Legislative Courage Award

Texas Game Warden and Peace Officers Association

Legislative Award

Texas Game Warden and Peace Officers Association

Legislative Award

Meadows Mental Health Institute

Legislative Champion

Meadows Mental Health Institute

Legislative Champion

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Legislator of the Year

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Legislator of the Year

Children At Risk

Accolade Award

Children At Risk

Accolade Award

American's For Prosperity

Lone Star Strong

American's For Prosperity

Lone Star Strong

Texas Land and Title Association

Outstanding Legislator Award

Texas Land and Title Association

Outstanding Legislator Award

Texas Nurses Association

Legislative Champion Award

Texas Nurses Association

Legislative Champion Award

Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians

Community Service Award

Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians

CCommunity Service Award

Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas

The Honorable Florence Shaprio Woman of Courage Award

Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas

The Honorable Florence Shaprio Woman of Courage Award

Children's Assessment Center

Spring Gala Event Honoree

Children's Assessment Center

Spring Gala Event Honoree

Cancer Action Network

Advocacy in Action Award

Cancer Action Network

Advocacy in Action Award

Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas

Best of the Senate

Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas

Best of the Senate

Texas Municipal Police Association

Guardian of the Year

Texas Municipal Police Association

Guardian of the Year

Texas Medical Association TEXPAC

Patient Protection Award

Texas Medical Association TEXPAC

Patient Protection Award

National Federation of Independent Business, Texas Branch

Guardian of Small Business Award

National Federation of Independent Business, Texas Branch

Guardian of Small Business Award

Career Colleges & Schools of Texas

Legislative Champion Award

Career Colleges & Schools of Texas

Legislative Champion Award

Texas Conservative Coalition

Courageous Conservative

Texas Conservative Coalition

Courageous Conservative

Texas Conservative Roundtable

 Lone Star Conservative Leader Award

Texas Conservative Roundtable

 Lone Star Conservative Leader Award

Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates

Big Voice for Little Voices Award

Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates

Big Voice for Little Voices Award

Texas Medical Association

Friend of Medicine Award

Texas Medical Association

Friend of Medicine Award

Texans for Lawsuit Reform

Civil Justice Award

Texans for Lawsuit Reform

Civil Justice Award

Texans For Fiscal Responsibility

 Taxpayer Champion

Texans For Fiscal Responsibility

 Taxpayer Champion

Texas Association of Realtors

Honor Roll

Texas Association of Realtors

Honor Roll

Texas Association Against Sexual Assault

Champion of Social Change

Texas Association Against Sexual Assault

Champion of Social Change

Texas Association Against Sexual Assault

Legislative Champion Award

Texas Association Against Sexual Assault

Legislative Champion Award

Texas Coalition of Homes for Children

Champion for Children

Texas Coalition of Homes for Children

Champion for Children

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Texas Woman's Health Champion

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Texas Woman's Health Champion

Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas

 Free Enterprise Champion

Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas

 Free Enterprise Champion

The Academic Languages Therapy Association

Champion for Children with Dyslexia

The Academic Languages Therapy Association

Champion for Children with Dyslexia

Texas Chemical Council

 Legislative Leadership Award

Texas Chemical Council

 Legislative Leadership Award

Children At Risk

Legislator of the Year

Children At Risk

Legislator of the Year

Texas Association of Business

Fighter for Free Enterprise, Champion for Free Enterprise

Texas Association of Business

Fighter for Free Enterprise, Champion for Free Enterprise

Houston Police Officers Union Local 2

Criminal District Judge of the Year

Houston Police Officers Union Local 2

Criminal District Judge of the Year

P.O.L.I.C.E. Inc.

Judge of the Year

P.O.L.I.C.E. Inc

Judge of the Year 

Connect the Future Texas

Broadband Champion Award

Connect the Future Texas.

Broadband Champion Award