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 Special
Election
“A fresh look”
Senator Joan Huffman
Joan Huffman was sworn into office in December of 2008 after winning a special election to fill the vacated office of Senate District 17. Prior to serving in the senate, Huffman was twice elected judge to the 183rd Criminal District Court, where she earned a reputation as a fair and tough enforcer of the law.
During the 81st Legislative Session, Huffman served on several important committees that affect some of the most pressing issues facing Texas families, including the Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, the Health and Human Services Committee, the Veterans Affairs Committee and the Government Organization Committee. Her priorities included Hurricane Ike recovery, protecting small businesses, judicial reform, border security and strengthening private property rights. She is also devoted to issues impacting children’s health and education.
In October of 2009, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst appointed Huffman to serve on the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission. The commission is charged with reviewing the functions, operations and purpose of state agencies and to identify and eliminate waste, duplication and inefficiency in government programs. The commission is currently reviewing 29 agencies and will make recommendations to the 82nd Legislature on how to improve services and implement changes which will benefit all Texans.
Huffman’s leadership has been recognized by numerous chambers of commerce, civic and local advocacy groups. She was named “Free Enterprise Champion” by the Associated Builders and Contractors, honored as “Legislator of the Year for Children” by the Children At Risk organization, and presented the “Legislative Leadership Award” by the Texas Chemical Council. She also received the “Civil Justice Award” from Texans for Lawsuit Reform and the “Patient Care Champion Award” from the Harris County Medical Society.
Huffman earned her undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University, and began her distinguished career in public service with the Harris County District Attorney’s office. As a secretary, Huffman was inspired by the work of the prosecutors and decided to attend law school. She took night classes at South Texas School of Law while serving as a legal intern and secretary.
Upon earning her law degree, 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 more than 100 jury trials, including murders, sexual assaults, aggravated robberies and sexual assaults of children.
As a former prosecutor and judge, victim protection and judicial reform are key issues for Senator Huffman. In child sexual abuse trials, child witness testimony is often challenged as unreliable due to poor recollection, fear or distraction. “Outcry witnesses” are adults who hear and report a child’s statements about abuse. The law did not allow outcry witnesses to tell a jury about other crimes or sexual abuse committed against other children during the sentencing phase of trial. In the 81st legislative session, Senator Huffman sponsored House Bill 2846 to allow juries to consider this testimony when sentencing a convicted child sexual abuser in order to secure stronger penalties for child predators. This law became effective Sept. 1.
She also authored a bill that would limit a judge’s ability to overturn a jury sentence. In her opinion, standing trial before a jury or peers is fundamental to the criminal justice system. A single judge should not be able to override a unanimous jury recommendation. While the bill passed the senate with overwhelming support, it unfortunately got bogged down in the house. She was disappointed that this bill was not able to be passed, but she looks forward to finishing that task next session.
Senator Huffman is keenly interested in continuing to work on all issues which deal with public safety, and looks forward to working with the law enforcement community to make Texas a safer place to live, work and raise a family.
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