Women's Public Leadership Network (WPLN) is excited to continue our podcast series, "Tips From The Trail," hosted by WPLN Founder & President Larissa Martinez, where we explore the path to political office, from the decision to run to election day.

In this episode, Larissa and guest co-host Sara Marie Ridley, Growth Strategist at Numinar, are joined by Houston City Council Member Mary Nan Huffman. Both guests are Texas natives and moms who know firsthand what it takes to balance family life with public service. Check out highlights from the conversation below!

• Leadership Is A Full-Family Commitment: Running for office at any level comes with surprises, sacrifices, and setbacks. As Sara Marie noted, you must decide before your campaign even starts if and how you plan to involve your family. For Mary Nan, her children were out on the campaign trail with her: “If you know Mary Nan, then you know her husband and kids.” Other successful candidates have chosen for their family's support to come from behind the scenes. The key is knowing what works best for you and your family, before your campaign begins.

• Finding Your New Normal: Don't assume you'll figure everything out while on the trail. Find something routine—one or two familiar things to ground you throughout your campaign. For Mary Nan, it was time with her family after a long day. For others, it might be morning movement or turning on the coffee pot. Know what centers you and make space for it, no matter how busy the campaign gets.

• Hustle Beats Money: Don't be afraid to take on a challenge that feels out of reach. When Mary Nan ran for her second term on Houston City Council, she was up against an opponent with a much larger campaign budget than her. But she didn’t let this scare her off. As Sara Marie astutely noted, “Hustle will beat money any day.” Take the leap, follow it through to the finish line, and turn setbacks into learning opportunities.

If you're considering a run for office, remember that representation matters. Your unique perspective and lived experience can inspire others and bring new voices into the political process. WPLN is here to help you get there! Explore free candidate training resources on our website and check out our upcoming events where you can register for virtual and in-person programs and connect with a national network of women leaders.

Check out the full episode on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts!

Mary Nan Huffman was sworn in as Council Member for District G on the morning of February 2, 2022, after winning a special election.

Prior to serving on Houston City Council, Huffman spent 10 years as a prosecutor in the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, quickly rising to become Chief Felony Prosecutor in the Child Exploitation Division and over the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Division. She brings her background as a law-and-order prosecutor to City Hall with a focus on keeping neighborhoods safe and city government free from corruption.

Mary Nan Huffman and her husband, Eli Huffman III, have been married for 17 years and have two young sons. The Huffman family lives outside Beltway 8 and flooded during Hurricane Harvey. They attend St. John Vianney Catholic Church. As a mom, Huffman wants her children to grow up in a safe community with strong infrastructure and a city government that supports its residents -- because strong neighborhoods build strong cities.

In 2024, Huffman was re-elected to continue serving the people of District G for another four-year term. Connect with Council Member Mary Nan Huffman on LinkedIn.

Before that, she was Deputy Press Secretary at the U.S. Department of Energy under Secretary Rick Perry and spent a decade in Texas politics and campaigns.

A Texas native, she earned her degrees from Fordham University in New York City and now lives in West Austin with her husband Brent and their sons, Danny and Jett.

Connect with Sara Marie Ridley on LinkedIn.

WPLN, is a national nonprofit educating, organizing, and inspiring center- and right-leaning women to seek public office at all levels across the U.S. and become effective leaders. The views and policy positions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not represent endorsement by WPLN.