Joe P. Herrera

Joe P. Herrera was born in San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from Holy Cross High School in San Antonio. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2001 and a master's degree from Our Lady of the Lake University in 2005. Herrera's career experience includes working as a key account manager for the Ferrara Candy Candy Company and as a sales representative for Hershey Chocolate. Herrera has been affiliated with the Medina County Democrats.[1][2][3]

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Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased August 7, 2022

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Joe P. Herrera lives in Natalia, Texas. He was the Democratic Nominee for Texas State Representative House District 53 in both 2020 and 2022. He was the first in his family to graduate from college. Joe earned a Bachelors of Business Administration from The University of Texas at San Antonio, and an MBA from Our Lady of the Lake University. Joe is a strong believer in Personal freedoms and Texas Public Schools. Joe is Pro-Choice, and will work to restore a woman's right to seek an abortion in Texas.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Protecting and restoring Woman's rights, including a woman's right to seek an abortion in TexasIncreasing funding for Texas Public schools, increasing Teacher and staff pay, while opposing School Vouchers.Improving access to Healthcare services in Rural Texas counties.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Woman's Rights, Public Education, Child Support reform, environmental protections, immigration reform

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my parents, and grandparents. The constant between them all, is that their goals in life were to provide for their children, to set a great example of what hard work, determination and fairness looked like. I try to follow their example of standing up for others, trying to make the community around me a better place for the next generation.

My grandparents did not graduate from high school, yet they were able to build great homes, and stable environments that allowed my parents to graduate from High School and go on to successful careers. My parents provide a stable and supporting home, saved up and sent me and my sister to catholic school, and set us on a path to succeed in college and in life. Thanks to their hard work, I was able to become the first in both families to obtain a College degree, and eventually an MBA. I would not be the person I am today without their influence.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Lincoln on Leadership, The West Wing (TV series), The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity and accountability. Elected officials should never put their own personal beliefs or ego ahead of the needs of the people they were elected to serve.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

In both my personal and professional life, I seek counsel from others. As mentioned before, I am not the smartest guy in the room, I want the opinion and advice of others before I make a decision. I do not seek to fit in or need to be liked by others. I want to get the work done, no matter how long it takes.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

They have a responsibility to represent every individual in this district. They should seek compromises that will allow each member to have as many freedoms as possible, with equality as the goal for all legislation. Bills do not have to be structured as win take all. The goal should be to make things better for future generations, not better for one party over another.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

One of my first memories of a historical event was the Presidential Election of 1984, I was 5 years old. I was spending the day with my grandparents, and I remember my grandfather getting home from work. He was so excited because he had stopped by to vote. He was so proud to have voted for Walter Mondale. It was not until years later that I realized that the 1984 election was such a landslide election for Regan. But my grandfather could not have been happier for voting for Mondale.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first Job was at BlockBuster Video as a cashier. I worked here for 8 months.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Practicing Stoic. This book is about constant self improvement, constant work towards a greater good.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Josh Lyman

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The Governor should be a partner of the state legislature. Acting as a check on both the House and Senate. Although there will always be a desire to bend things to benefit their own party, they should be working towards policy that will benefit the entire population.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

The focus on party loyalty vs focusing on the future. There is more work being done to strip personal freedoms from women, transgender individuals, and minority communities than ever before. At a time when we should be focused on growing local talent, increasing educational opportunities for all Texans, law makers are pushing party agendas, and making educational institutions the enemy. Instead of pushing for increasing to public school funding and increases to teacher and staff pay, they are focused on voucher programs that would strip away funding.

The greatest challenge is our lack of forward thinking policy, and a focus on ways for lawmakers to ensure their reelection. Personal gains vs. working towards the greater good.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

No. We need state legislators with diverse backgrounds, so we have as many opinions and viewpoints on the important issues of the day. Experience in politics is not always a good thing.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes, this is vital. We can always learn more from others. I am not the smartest guy in the room, and more importantly, in order to make the correct decisions, all viewpoints need to be heard. Building relationships with the other legislators is an important way to learn what you don't know, or what you have failed to consider on a certain topic.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Tracey O. King

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

I would be open to running for a different office in the future. But only if it makes sense for both me and the district. We have many capable leaders. I would only run for a larger office if there were not more qualified candidates stepping up to run for the seat.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Yes, during my first campaign I heard from a potential voter who was very passionate about legalizing cannabis for medical use, and pain management. At the time, I did not have an opinion on the matter. After I heard her story, visited with here a few times and did a ton of research on the topic I was able to speak in a much more educated way on the topic. It was her passion and care that she had for her husband, who was a retired service member that opened my eyes and put a face to the issue.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

No, I think local officials should have the power to enact emergency powers depending on the situation. The Governor should be grant emergency powers for natural disasters without oversight.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is necessary for good policymaking. I am not a fair of the current winner take all approach that members of the current majority party. The goal of policy makers should be to find common ground, especially on topics that will impact the lives of all Texans. We should not be passing laws that remove the rights of others, just to make one side of the aisle happy.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

I would draft a bill reinstating a women's right to an abortion in Texas. We need to have a constitutional amendment protecting a women's right to seek an abortion.

Video for [the profile publisher]

Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased August 7, 2022

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have lived in Natalia, TX with my wife since 2009. Like most of you, I have a regular full-time job and am mostly self-funding my campaign. I am running to represent everyone regardless of political party affiliation. My key issues: Improving access to healthcare services, protecting the rights of all Texans, increasing funding for public schools, and finding ways to keep our children safe when they are in school. I am concerned about women's rights and ensuring that a women's healthcare choices are up to her and her doctor. I want to work with state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies to put an end to drug and human trafficking that is hurting our local communities. And I want to work to reduce property taxes across Texas and make those cuts long lasting.

If you are looking for accountability and not completely happy with our current representative, consider voting for me. I am running to give everyone a voice. Change takes Courage, and enacting change starts with one vote, in one race, in one election. Please consider voting for Joe P. Herrera to be your next State Representative.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Increasing funding for Public schools, including increasing Teacher and Staff pay, and increasing security at all public SchoolsProtecting and restoring human rights to all Texans. Protecting a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions and ensure access to reproductive healthcare servicesProtecting families in Rural Texas. Increasing funding for State and Local law enforcement agencies in order to tackle the increases in Drug and Human trafficking across HD 53

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about Public Schools, Women's rights, Access to healthcare services in Rural Texas, access to high speed internet, border security and lowering property taxes.

Education is such an important part of our society and ensuring that we have high quality and fully funded Public schools is key to the future success of all Texans.

As our population continues to grow ensuring that we have increased access to healthcare services in rural Texas is vital to the health and success of our state.

Video for [the profile publisher]

Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased September 26, 2017

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Joe P. Herrera live in Natalia, TX. He earned a bachelor's degree in Marketing from The University of Texas at San Antonio in 2001 and a master's degree in business administration from Our Lady of the Lake University in 2005. Joe's career experience includes 17 years in sales and marketing including 9 years in the confections industry. Joe is currently a Key Account Manager for a leading Confections company.

Joe ran in the 2018 Democratic Primary for Texas House District 53, but lost in the primary.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Texas students are our future leaders, we need to ensure we set them up for success, and the only way to do that is find long term Public school funding solutions. Rural Texans deserve the same access that Texans living in big cities enjoy.. I am fighting for increased access to high speed internet access, access to health care services, and access to a brighter future.Protecting Texans property rights, local control, and reforming eminent domain laws are vital to ensure we don't have governmental over reach. Texas land owners deserve protection of their rights.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about Public School funding, teacher pay and retired teachers retirement. I am also passionate about protecting property rights, local rivers, lakes, and streams, especially from oil and gas pipelines. Access to quality affordable healthcare for rural Texans is another issue that is dear to my heart.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I have always looked up to my parents. My father is a sales representative, and my mother is a retired child care provider. They have always been supportive and always push me to achieve more. They provided me with a great educational foundation, which lead to my successes at UTSA and OLLU. I was the first in either our family to graduate from college.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Regardless of what level of elected office you hold, you are responsible for the protection of the freedoms and aspirations of every single citizen you were elected to serve. You have a responsibility to put others interest before your own. To put people before party, and to check your ego at the door each day. Your responsibility is to create policy/laws that are aimed towards the health and well being of every citizen. You should strive to find compromise whenever possible and work hard to ensure you are always working towards a solution that is best for the impacted citizens.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy of returning the power of the office back to the citizens of House District 53. I would love if after my time as State Representative was over, the people in the district felt like they were the ones who shaped the policies and laws that I sponsored or voted to support. The legacy of empowerment and involvement that really gives the citizens of the district the power they have deserve.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The earliest historical event I remember is the Challenger shuttle exploding. I was in second grade, and like many students, we were watching it live at school. It was a sad day for all Americans.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was working at Block Buster Video. I worked there for 6 months,

What is your favorite book? Why?

Lincoln on Leadership. I am a huge Abe Lincoln fan, and this book is one that I read early in my career as I prepared to take on a managerial role for the first time. I enjoy this book and reference it often because it has many points on how seeking input from others, is vital to your success. It also highlights how you have to be willing to give other people chances to find their way to solutions without telling them what they should do, but rather let them find it own their own. I enjoy this book because it helps remind me just how brilliant our political leaders use to be, and how we should all strive to live up to their example and be willing to sacrifice ourselves in the service of others, and the greater good.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

No, our representatives should be just that, representatives of the district. We should strive to elect regular everyday folks to be our representatives and speak truth to power. I am not saying there is not a benefit to having experience, but over time, elected officials can became concerned about their next role, or the next seat they want to run for, and they begin to forget about the people they are there to represent, and start thinking about themselves. We need fresh ideas, and new leaders who are our friends, the man or women next door, folks that you can just chat with about your concerns and they will hear you out and work to find real solutions, not just give a canned answer that their party leadership approves.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Ensuring that we are planning for the future needs of our state. Planning and budgeting that is focused on our next generation of students, leaders, and role models. The focus seems to always be on the topic of today, and our officials are too focused on the next election, and how to ensure that they stay in power so they can drive policy and the agenda for years to come. Our state is not preparing for a slowing economy or investing in education or health care access that will ensure we have healthy and well educated citizens for generations to come.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

Their should be a true partnership between our governor and the entire state legislature, not just his party members. The governor, should be challenging our state legislature to find solutions to issues that have been facing many of them for many years. The governor should be encouraging the state legislature to work towards compromise and solutions, not focusing on scoring points for his party, or locking up the next election.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes, it is important in every job to build relationships with your coworkers. It is vital to creating progress, and more importantly, those relationships can lead to more open minded conversations and less of a focus on keeping score of political wins.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

In terms of current legislators I have known and respect Representative Phillip Cortez. He has done a great job representing his district, and he reaches across party lines and has joint events with State Senator Pete Flores, which is think is a great example for other representatives. I also admire former representative Paul Sadler. Although I was younger and did not follow politics very much in high school but did in college, Representative Sadler was and continues to be a great example of someone who truly worked to represent his district. I was also very happy when he decided to run for Senate in 2012, I admire him and the work he did for his district and for Texas in general.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Personal stories are the best part of running for office. That is the best way for candidates to learn what really drives people and is the best way for us to understand how we can work to make things better for everyone. When I ran in the 2018 primary, a very nice lady came up to me after a dinner meeting we had in Kerrville and she asked me if I would consider supporting the legalization of Marijuana, especially for medical use. She told me that her husband had served our country for many years, and now that he was a bit older, he had some pain issues that were due to his service, and that the only treatment that seemed to work was marijuana. Now, she said that he was so ashamed that he was breaking the law by treating himself with the drug since it was currently not legal for his particular illness and she asked me to research it and to consider supporting its legalization if elected. I came home and researched the topic, and how the treatments had been beneficial in study's in other states and how in many cases, marijuana was a better treatment option than the medicine currently subscribed. I sent the nice lady an email committing to support or sponsor a bill in support of changing our laws on Marijuana use, and I was lucky enough to see her a few months later at an event and I told her how here story and the passion in her voice when she told me her story truly inspired me.