Joseph P. Heflin
| Joseph Paul "Joe" Heflin | |
|---|---|
| Texas State Representative for District 85 (Borden, Crosby, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Howard, Irion, Jones, Kent, Lynn, Reagan, Sterling, Stonewall, and Terry counties) | |
|
In office January 2007 – January 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | James E. "Pete" Laney |
| Succeeded by | Jim Landtroop |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 6, 1952 |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Linda Heflin |
| Children | Two daughters |
| Alma mater | Texas Tech University |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Religion | Baptist |
Joseph Paul Heflin, known as Joe Heflin (born January 6, 1952), is a Democratic former member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 85 in the South Plains. He is the last Democrat to have represented his portion of Texas in the legislature, as the region has since swung strongly toward the Republican Party.
In 2006, Heflin narrowly defeated Republican businessman Jim Landtroop of Plainview in Hale County to succeed the retiring Democrat and former Speaker James E. "Pete" Laney of Hale Center, also in Hale County. In the November 2, 2010, general election, however, Landtroop staged a stunning comeback, having polled 17,426 votes (61.6 percent) to Heflin's 10,853 (38.4 percent). The Republican nominee won fifteen of the sixteen counties in the district, losing only in Heflin's own Crosby County, where the Democrat prevailed 791-388. Landtroop succeeds Heflin in January 2011.
During the 81st Legislative session, Heflin served as member of the House Agriculture & Livestock and Elections committees. He served on the County Affairs committee during the 80th session. At the time of his defeat, he was serving on the Energy, Environment and Agriculture committees of the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Heflin received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales. In 1993, he received his Juris Doctor degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock. Heflin is a former Crosby County administrative county judge. He also served two terms on the nonpartisan Crosbyton City Council. Prior to his election to the Texas House, Heflin served five years as the Crosby County county judge.
...
Wikipedia