The following are the complete and unedited responses submitted by the candidate listed below to the Amarillo Pioneer’s Candidate Questionnaire.

Name: Joan Huffman

Office Sought: Attorney General

Party Affiliation: Republican

Age: 69

What is your educational background? Please list any degrees or certificates earned and any institutions attended.

Louisiana State University, B.A.
South Texas School of Law, J.D.

What is your occupation?

Attorney/State Senator

Please list any civic boards or commissions (non-profit, government, union, religious, political, etc.) on which you have served as a board member or equivalent.

Chair, Finance Committee, Texas State Senate
Member, Texas Legislative Budget Board
Member, Criminal Justice Committee, Texas State Senate
Member, Texas Crime Victims’ Institute Advisory Council
Commissioner, Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health
Former Chair, State Affairs Committee, Texas State Senate
Former Chair, Jurisprudence Committee, Texas State Senate
Former Chair, Redistricting Committee, Texas State Senate
Former Member, Texas Sunset Advisory Commission

Have you previously held or do you currently hold any elected office? If so, what office(s)?

Texas State Senator (District 17): 2008-present
Criminal District Court Judge (183rd Criminal District Court): 1999-2005

If your campaign has any online campaign resources where voters can learn more about you, such as social media accounts or a website, please list them below.

www.joanhuffman.com
facebook.com/senatorjoanhuffman
x.com/joanhuffman

Why did you decide to run for this office in 2026?

I am running for Texas Attorney General because our state deserves a proven leader with an extensive legal and legislative background who will always put Texas families first. With decades in the courtroom as a felony prosecutor, criminal district judge, and now as a Texas State Senator, I have successfully locked up violent offenders, defended our borders, and championed conservative principles. Texas needs an Attorney General equipped with the hands-on expertise and track record to effectively lead the office and protect our communities.

If elected, what will be your top three priorities in office?

Combating Violent Crime and Supporting Law Enforcement: Texas families deserve safe communities free from fear. As Attorney General, I will support law enforcement by partnering with local district attorneys to prosecute repeat violent offenders, gang members, and serious felons. I will also establish statewide task forces to target rising threats from violent crime and prosecute criminals who steal taxpayers dollars through healthcare fraud. With decades as a felony prosecutor and criminal district judge successfully locking up dangerous criminals, I will provide the resources and legal backing needed to restore law and order.

Strengthening Border Security and Targeting Cartels: The southern border crisis brings fentanyl, human trafficking, and cartel violence into Texas communities. As Attorney General, I will prosecute traffickers and smugglers, collaborate with law enforcement to disrupt drug and smuggling networks, and pursue legal actions against cartels. My prior experience as Chief Legal Counsel to the Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force positions me to lead this effort effectively and reduce the harm caused by cross-border crime.

Ensuring Election Integrity: Free and fair elections are essential to public trust and our system of government. As Chair of the Senate Committee on State Affairs, I wrote our state’s Voter ID law, which has since been upheld in federal court. As Attorney General, I will enforce laws against election fraud, ballot tampering, and other violations through investigations and prosecutions. Working with local officials, I will ensure every legal vote counts and that Texas elections remain secure. My commitment to conservative values and the rule of law will guide these efforts.

What is an issue you believe has gone overlooked in your race and how will you address it if elected?

One issue overlooked in this race is the Texas Attorney General’s role as the state’s top law enforcement officer. The office is often seen mainly for civil litigation or policy battles, while its power to fight crime directly is underemphasized and underutilized. If elected, I will refocus the AG’s office on public safety as its top priority. I will direct resources toward aggressively prosecuting career criminals, partnering closely with district attorneys, sheriffs, and law enforcement statewide to support high-impact cases and ensure repeat violent offenders are removed from our communities. With my decades as a felony prosecutor and criminal district judge successfully locking up dangerous criminals, I will make the office a true partner in keeping Texans safe.

Do you have any notable endorsements you would like to highlight for voters? If this question is not applicable, please write N/A.

Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association
Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas
Amarillo Police Officers Association
Dallas Police Association
Dallas County Sheriffs Association (FOP)
Harris County Deputy Constables Association
Houston Police Officers Union
Tarrant County Law Enforcement Association

Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position?

I have prosecuted felonies as a prosecutor, presided over thousands of criminal cases as a judge, and written tough-on-crime laws as a state senator. I have led the fight against human trafficking, removing rogue DAs from office, strengthening our bail laws, and combating fentanyl in the Texas Senate. As AG, I will refocus the office on public safety: aggressively prosecuting career criminals, partnering statewide with DAs and law enforcement, securing our border from cartels, and protecting election integrity.