Joan earned her bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University and her law degree from South Texas College of Law.

Joan previously worked as a prosecutor in Harris County.

Joan Huffman is currently state senator. She was elected in 2008 and is serving her 6th term. She 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. She previously served 2 terms in the 183rd Criminal District Court. 

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Supports reducing government red tape and regulations to help businesses grow and create jobs.

Believes in passing a balanced and conservative state budget to maintain Texas as "the strongest economy in the country."

Supports small businesses and received the Guardian of Small Business Award.

Supports reducing taxes on essential items. As a state senator, passed legislation eliminating the sales tax on feminine hygiene products, child and adult diapers, maternity clothing, and wound care dressings.

As Chair of Senate Finance, helped pass an $18 billion property tax relief package.

As chair of Senate Finance, helped pass an $18 billion property tax relief package.

As a state senator, Huffman "authored and passed legislation that gave retired educators over 70 years of age a one-time stipend, and if approved by the voters, a much-needed cost of living adjustment."

As a state senator, passed legislation to establish the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, which aims to make Texas a leader in semiconductor creation and distribution.

Passed legislation to establish the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, which aims to make Texas a leader in semiconductor creation and distribution.

- Supports reducing government red tape and regulations to help businesses grow and create jobs.
- Believes in passing a balanced and conservative state budget to maintain Texas as "the strongest economy in the country."
- Supports small businesses and received the Guardian of Small Business Award.
- Supports reducing taxes on essential items. As a state senator, passed legislation eliminating the sales tax on feminine hygiene products, child and adult diapers, maternity clothing, and wound care dressings.
- As chair of Senate Finance, helped pass an $18 billion property tax relief package.
- As a state senator, Huffman "authored and passed legislation that gave retired educators over 70 years of age a one-time stipend, and if approved by the voters, a much-needed cost of living adjustment."
- Passed legislation to establish the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, which aims to make Texas a leader in semiconductor creation and distribution.

Economy

Supports gun rights and opposes "red flag laws" that restrict Second Amendment rights.

Supports constructing physical barriers, using boats and planes for patrol and reconnaissance, and employing technology to monitor the border.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, made a historic $5.1 billion investment on border security.

As chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, invested $5.1 billion on border security.

As a state senator, allocated over $12 billion to enhance border security and combat human and drug trafficking.

As a state senator, allocated $12 billion to enhance border security and combat human and drug trafficking.

As a state senator, passed legislation to stop cities from harboring undocumented immigrants and designated drug cartels as terrorist organizations.

Passed legislation to stop cities from harboring undocumented immigrants and designated drug cartels as terrorist organizations.

As a state senator, led the passage of bail reform legislation to prevent judges from releasing violent criminals.

Led the passage of bail reform legislation to prevent judges from releasing violent criminals.

As a lead prosecutor, served in over 100 jury trials, including murders, sexual assaults, and aggravated robberies.

- Supports gun rights and opposes "red flag laws" that restrict Second Amendment rights.
- Supports constructing physical barriers, using boats and planes for patrol and reconnaissance, and employing technology to monitor the border.
- Opposes efforts to "defund the police."
- As chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, invested $5.1 billion on border security.
- As a state senator, allocated $12 billion to enhance border security and combat human and drug trafficking.
- Passed legislation to stop cities from harboring undocumented immigrants and designated drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
- Led the passage of bail reform legislation to prevent judges from releasing violent criminals.
- As a lead prosecutor, served in over 100 jury trials, including murders, sexual assaults, and aggravated robberies.

Public Safety

Believes in expanding access, lowering costs, and increasing transparency in healthcare.

Supports expanding access to mental health services and women’s health programs.

Endorsed by the Texas Medical Association Political Action Committee.

Opposes "gender mutilation procedures" on minors.

- Believes in expanding access, lowering costs, and increasing transparency in healthcare.
- Supports expanding access to mental health services and women’s health programs.
- Opposes abortion.
- Endorsed by the Texas Medical Association Political Action Committee.
- Opposes "gender mutilation procedures" on minors.

Healthcare

Supports increasing state funds for public education to improve teacher compensation, school safety, and the basic allotment.

Opposes education that "distorts our American history and seeks to pit our children against each other by race."

- Supports increasing state funds for public education to improve teacher compensation, school safety, and the basic allotment.
- Opposes education on race and racism.

Education

Believes in completing critical infrastructure projects under budget and ahead of schedule to protect lives and property from future disasters.

As a state senator, helped secure millions in disaster relief funds after Hurricane Harvey.

As a state senator, helped secure disaster relief funds after Hurricane Harvey.

- Believes in completing critical infrastructure projects under budget and ahead of schedule to protect lives and property from future disasters.
- As a state senator, helped secure disaster relief funds after Hurricane Harvey.

Energy & the Environment

Supports requiring a photo ID to vote, increasing penalties for vote harvesting, and preventing mail-in ballot fraud.

Believes election integrity is crucial and as a state senator, led efforts for stricter voting laws, including the Voter ID bill.

- Supports requiring a photo ID to vote, increasing penalties for vote harvesting, and preventing mail-in ballot fraud.
- Believes election integrity is crucial and as a state senator, led efforts for stricter voting laws, including the Voter ID bill.

Voting & Elections

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Joan Huffman

Kathy was born in Taiwan. She earned her bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University-Shreveport and her law degree from South Texas College of Law. She is a mother to 3 children.

Kathy is the founding member of Cheng & Associates, PLLC, with areas of practice including complex commercial litigation, family law, probate, tax, and real estate.

Kathy Cheng previously ran for State Senate District 17 in 2020, but did not win.

Aims to develop "impactful solutions for all Texas resources (farming, oil, energy grid)."

- Aims to develop "impactful solutions for all Texas resources (farming, oil, energy grid)."

As of June 14, 2025, Kathy Cheng’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports accessible healthcare for all ages.

- Supports accessible healthcare for all ages.

Believes in keeping public education as "our greatest equalizer."

- Believes in keeping public education as "our greatest equalizer."

Believes in creating "impactful solutions" for Texas resources, including farming, oil, and the energy grid.

- Believes in creating "impactful solutions" for Texas resources, including farming, oil, and the energy grid.

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Kathy Cheng

- Your state senator represents the interests of your district in the Texas State Senate. The State Senate, along with the State House of Representatives, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Texas Legislature.
- Your state senator can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws after going through the legislative process.
- There are 31 Texas state senators, each representing a single district with a constituency of around 1 million.
- State senators are elected to 4-year terms and one 2-year term per decade, and there are no term limits.
- They are paid a salary of $7,200/year and a per diem of $221/day.

Texas State Senator, District 17

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Candidates (2)