Joanne Shofner

Political Party: Republican

District: Texas House District 11

Current Position: State Representative, Texas House of Representatives

Joanne Shofner is a 7th-generation Texan from Nacogdoches with East Texas roots. At 61 years old, she is a conservative Republican leader who emphasizes her commitment to defending parental rights, children's welfare, and border security.

Shofner's path to elected office began after the 2020 election when she, along with two friends, founded the Nacogdoches Conservative Watch, a grassroots platform for civic engagement. This initiative grew substantially and eventually motivated her to run for state office. In her campaign, she defeated incumbent Travis Clardy in the Republican primary before winning her seat in the Texas House.

She currently serves on the Higher Education and Public Health committees in the state legislature. Her district encompasses six counties: Nacogdoches, Newton, Panola, Rusk, Sabine, and Shelby.

Education and Professional Background

Shofner earned a degree in hotel and restaurant management from the Hilton School at the University of Houston. She previously worked as a manager for Hyatt Hotels before transitioning to other professional pursuits.

Political Experience and Community Service

Beyond her legislative role, Shofner serves as President of the Nacogdoches County Republican Women, which she has helped develop into one of the largest Republican women's clubs in Texas. She also serves on the Nacogdoches Historical Landmark Preservation Committee and the finance committee at her church.

As a Christian Life Coach, she operates a small business focused on empowering women recovering from traumatic experiences. Over 20 years, she has written, taught Bible studies, and led women's retreats.

Her legislative priorities include advancing border security, education freedom through education savings accounts, and protecting vulnerable populations.