In December 1910 he defeated the Republican candidate Percy Rider "by a good majority" to be elected mayor of Tucson.

During his term streets were paved and graded, public parks were improved, and the price of electric light reduced.

[3] As mayor, Huffman officiated over the opening of the long distance telephone line from Tucson to El Paso, Texas, in September 1911.

Huffman spoke with Mayor Kelly of El Paso for five minutes, inviting him to visit Tucson.

After the war Huffman led a group of men who obtained Pastime Park, an old recreation spot located north of the city, as Tucson's first hospital for veterans with tuberculosis.

He was a member of the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, and held the position of Noble Grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.