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Texas Supreme Court

From Ballotpedia
Texas Supreme Court
State-Supreme-Courts-Ballotpedia-template.png
Court Information
Justices: 9
Founded: 1876
Location:Austin
Salary
Associates: $210,000[1]
Judicial Selection
Method:Partisan election
Term: 6 years
Active justices
Jimmy Blacklock,Jane Bland,Brett Busby,John Devine,Kyle Hawkins,Rebeca Huddle,Debra Lehrmann,James Sullivan,Evan Young


Founded in 1836, the Texas Supreme Court is the state'scourt of last resort for civil matters and has nine judgeships. The current chief of the court isJimmy Blacklock.

As of January 2025, all nine judges on the court identified with theRepublican Party.

The Texas Supreme Court meets in Austin, Texas.[2]

In Texas, state supreme court justices are elected in partisan elections. There are eight states that use this selection method. To read more about the partisan election of judges,click here.

Courthouse of the Texas Supreme Court and theTexas Court of Criminal Appeals in Austin

Contents

Jurisdiction

The Texas supreme court is the court of last resort for civil and juvenile cases. TheTexas Court of Criminal Appeals has final jurisdiction in criminal cases. The court has mandatory jurisdiction over writs ofmandamus andhabeas corpus.[3]

The Supreme Court also has jurisdiction to answer questions of state law certified from a federal appellate court; has original jurisdiction to issue writs and to conduct proceedings for the involuntary retirement or removal of judges; and reviews cases involving attorney discipline upon appeal from the Board of Disciplinary Appeals of the State Bar of Texas."[4]

The supreme court creates rules for civil trial procedures and appellate procedures. It creates rules for the administration of justice in the state. It monitors the caseload of the state's 14 courts of appeals and transfers cases as needed.[5]

The following text from Article V, Section 3 of the Texas Constitution covers the organization and jurisdiction of the court:

“Jurisdiction of Supreme Court; Writs; Clerk

(a) The Supreme Court shall exercise the judicial power of the state except as otherwise provided in this Constitution. Its jurisdiction shall be co-extensive with the limits of the State and its determinations shall be final except in criminal law matters. Its appellate jurisdiction shall be final and shall extend to all cases except in criminal law matters and as otherwise provided in this Constitution or by law. The Supreme Court and the Justices thereof shall have power to issue writs of habeas corpus, as may be prescribed by law, and under such regulations as may be prescribed by law, the said courts and the Justices thereof may issue the writs of mandamus, procedendo, certiorari and such other writs, as may be necessary to enforce its jurisdiction. The Legislature may confer original jurisdiction on the Supreme Court to issue writs of quo warranto and mandamus in such cases as may be specified, except as against the Governor of the State.

(b) The Supreme Court shall also have power, upon affidavit or otherwise as by the court may be determined, to ascertain such matters of fact as may be necessary to the proper exercise of its jurisdiction.[6][7]

”
—Texas Constitution, Article V, Section 3

Justices

The table below lists the current justices of the Texas Supreme Court, their political party, when they assumed office, and the appointing governor.


Chief justice

TheChief Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas isJimmy Blacklock (R).

Vacancies

There are no current vacancy on theTexas Supreme Court, out of the court's nine judicial positions.

Salary

See also:Texas court salaries and budgets

In 2025, the justices of the court received a base salary of $210,000, according to the Office of Court Administration.[8]

Judicial selection

See also:Judicial selection in Texas

Thenine justices of theTexas Supreme Court are selected in statewidepartisan elections. The elected justices serve six-year terms, after which they must run for re-election if they wish to remain on the court.[9]

Qualifications

To serve on the Supreme Court, a justice must be:

  • a U.S. citizen;
  • a resident ofTexas;
  • licensed to practice law in the state;
  • between the ages of 35 and 75;[10][11] and
  • a practicing lawyer and/or justice for at least 10 years.[9]

Chief justice

Thechief justice of the Texas Supreme Court is selected by voters at large. He or she serves in that capacity for a full six-year term.[9]

Vacancies

See also:How vacancies are filled in state supreme courts

In the event of a midterm vacancy, thegovernor appoints a replacement who must be confirmed by theTexas Senate. The appointee serves until the next general election, in which he or she may compete to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.[9]

The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.


Elections

See also:Texas Supreme Court elections

See also: Texas Supreme Court elections, 2030

Texas Supreme Court Place 2


There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.


Texas Supreme Court Place 4


There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.


Texas Supreme Court Place 6


There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.


See also: Texas Supreme Court elections, 2028

Texas Supreme Court Place 3


There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.


Texas Supreme Court Place 5


There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.


Texas Supreme Court Place 9


There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.


See also: Texas Supreme Court elections, 2026

Texas Supreme Court Place 1 Chief Justice

General election

The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 1 Chief Justice

Cory Carlyle (D) andMaggie Ellis (D) are running in the Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 1 Chief Justice on March 3, 2026.

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There are noincumbents in this race.

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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 1 Chief Justice

IncumbentJimmy Blacklock (R) is running in the Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 1 Chief Justice on March 3, 2026.

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Incumbents arebolded and underlined.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Texas Supreme Court Place 2

General election

The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 2

Chari Kelly (D) is running in the Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 2 on March 3, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Chari Kelly
Chari Kelly

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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 2

IncumbentJames Sullivan (R) is running in the Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 2 on March 3, 2026.

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Texas Supreme Court Place 7

General election

The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 7

Gordon Goodman (D) andKristen Hawkins (D) are running in the Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 7 on March 3, 2026.

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There are noincumbents in this race.

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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 7

IncumbentKyle Hawkins (R) is running in the Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 7 on March 3, 2026.

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Texas Supreme Court Place 8

General election

The primary will occur on March 3, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 8

Gisela Triana (D) is running in the Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 8 on March 3, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Gisela Triana
Gisela Triana

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There are noincumbents in this race.

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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 8

IncumbentBrett Busby (R) is running in the Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 8 on March 3, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Brett Busby
Brett Busby

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Incumbents arebolded and underlined.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

See also: Texas Supreme Court elections, 2024

Texas Supreme Court Place 2

General election

General election for Texas Supreme Court Place 2

IncumbentJimmy Blacklock (R) defeatedDaSean Jones (D) in the general election for Texas Supreme Court Place 2 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jimmy Blacklock
Jimmy Blacklock (R)
 
58.2
 
6,372,584
Image of DaSean Jones
DaSean Jones (D)
 
41.8
 
4,571,171

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 10,943,755
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 2

DaSean Jones (D) defeatedRandy Sarosdy (D) in the Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 2 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of DaSean Jones
DaSean Jones
 
59.6
 
529,623
Image of Randy Sarosdy
Randy Sarosdy Candidate Connection
 
40.4
 
359,402

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 889,025
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 2

IncumbentJimmy Blacklock (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 2 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jimmy Blacklock
Jimmy Blacklock
 
100.0
 
1,749,450

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,749,450
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Texas Supreme Court Place 4

General election

General election for Texas Supreme Court Place 4

IncumbentJohn Devine (R) defeatedChristine Weems (D) in the general election for Texas Supreme Court Place 4 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of John Devine
John Devine (R)
 
57.3
 
6,256,496
Image of Christine Weems
Christine Weems (D)
 
42.7
 
4,656,560

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 10,913,056
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 4

Christine Weems (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 4 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Christine Weems
Christine Weems
 
100.0
 
825,485

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 825,485
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 4

IncumbentJohn Devine (R) defeatedBrian Walker (R) in the Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 4 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of John Devine
John Devine
 
50.4
 
921,556
Image of Brian Walker
Brian Walker Candidate Connection
 
49.6
 
905,418

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,826,974
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian Party convention

Libertarian convention for Texas Supreme Court Place 4

Matthew Sercely (L) advanced from the Libertarian Party convention for Texas Supreme Court Place 4 on April 14, 2024.

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There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Texas Supreme Court Place 6

General election

General election for Texas Supreme Court Place 6

IncumbentJane Bland (R) defeatedBonnie Lee Goldstein (D) andDavid Roberson (L) in the general election for Texas Supreme Court Place 6 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jane Bland
Jane Bland (R)
 
56.2
 
6,145,167
Image of Bonnie Lee Goldstein
Bonnie Lee Goldstein (D)
 
40.5
 
4,425,189
Image of David Roberson
David Roberson (L)
 
3.3
 
355,485

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 10,925,841
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 6

Bonnie Lee Goldstein (D) defeatedJoe Pool Jr. (D) in the Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 6 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Bonnie Lee Goldstein
Bonnie Lee Goldstein
 
73.1
 
646,690
Image of Joe Pool Jr.
Joe Pool Jr. Candidate Connection
 
26.9
 
237,465

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 884,155
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 6

IncumbentJane Bland (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 6 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jane Bland
Jane Bland
 
100.0
 
1,690,507

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,690,507
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian Party convention

Libertarian convention for Texas Supreme Court Place 6

David Roberson (L) advanced from the Libertarian Party convention for Texas Supreme Court Place 6 on April 14, 2024.

Candidate
✔
Image of David Roberson
David Roberson

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Texas Supreme Court elections, 2022

Texas Supreme Court Place 3

General election

General election for Texas Supreme Court Place 3

IncumbentDebra Lehrmann (R) defeatedErin Nowell (D) andTom Oxford (L) in the general election for Texas Supreme Court Place 3 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Debra Lehrmann
Debra Lehrmann (R)
 
56.2
 
4,475,136
Image of Erin Nowell
Erin Nowell (D)
 
41.8
 
3,330,529
Image of Tom Oxford
Tom Oxford (L)
 
2.0
 
162,036

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 7,967,701
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 3

Erin Nowell (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 3 on March 1, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Erin Nowell
Erin Nowell
 
100.0
 
914,184

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 914,184
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 3

IncumbentDebra Lehrmann (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 3 on March 1, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Debra Lehrmann
Debra Lehrmann
 
100.0
 
1,535,581

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,535,581
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian Party convention

Libertarian convention for Texas Supreme Court Place 3

Tom Oxford (L) advanced from the Libertarian Party convention for Texas Supreme Court Place 3 on April 10, 2022.

Candidate
✔
Image of Tom Oxford
Tom Oxford

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Texas Supreme Court Place 5

General election

General election for Texas Supreme Court Place 5

IncumbentRebeca Huddle (R) defeatedAmanda Reichek (D) in the general election for Texas Supreme Court Place 5 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Rebeca Huddle
Rebeca Huddle (R)
 
57.1
 
4,530,668
Image of Amanda Reichek
Amanda Reichek (D)
 
42.9
 
3,406,054

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 7,936,722
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 5

Amanda Reichek (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 5 on March 1, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Amanda Reichek
Amanda Reichek
 
100.0
 
913,836

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 913,836
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 5

IncumbentRebeca Huddle (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 5 on March 1, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Rebeca Huddle
Rebeca Huddle
 
100.0
 
1,519,069

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,519,069
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Texas Supreme Court Place 9

General election

Special general election for Texas Supreme Court Place 9

IncumbentEvan Young (R) defeatedJulia Maldonado (D) in the special general election for Texas Supreme Court Place 9 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Evan Young
Evan Young (R)
 
56.4
 
4,474,900
Image of Julia Maldonado
Julia Maldonado (D)
 
43.6
 
3,458,103

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 7,933,003
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Special Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 9

Julia Maldonado (D) advanced from the special Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 9 on March 1, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Julia Maldonado
Julia Maldonado
 
100.0
 
922,595

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 922,595
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Special Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 9

IncumbentEvan Young (R) defeatedDavid Schenck (R) in the special Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 9 on March 1, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Evan Young
Evan Young
 
54.9
 
860,852
Image of David Schenck
David Schenck Candidate Connection
 
45.1
 
708,359

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,569,211
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Texas Supreme Court elections, 2020

Texas Supreme Court Place 1 Chief Justice

General election

General election for Texas Supreme Court Place 1 Chief Justice

IncumbentNathan Hecht (R) defeatedAmy Clark Meachum (D) andMark Ash (L) in the general election for Texas Supreme Court Place 1 Chief Justice on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Nathan Hecht
Nathan Hecht (R)
 
53.0
 
5,827,085
Image of Amy Clark Meachum
Amy Clark Meachum (D)
 
44.5
 
4,893,402
Image of Mark Ash
Mark Ash (L)
 
2.5
 
277,491

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 10,997,978
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 1 Chief Justice

Amy Clark Meachum (D) defeatedJerry Zimmerer (D) in the Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 1 Chief Justice on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Amy Clark Meachum
Amy Clark Meachum
 
80.5
 
1,434,175
Image of Jerry Zimmerer
Jerry Zimmerer
 
19.5
 
347,186

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,781,361
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 1 Chief Justice

IncumbentNathan Hecht (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 1 Chief Justice on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Nathan Hecht
Nathan Hecht
 
100.0
 
1,718,096

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,718,096
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Green Party convention

Green convention for Texas Supreme Court Place 1 Chief Justice

Charles E. Waterbury (G) advanced from the Green Party convention for Texas Supreme Court Place 1 Chief Justice on April 18, 2020.

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian Party convention

Libertarian convention for Texas Supreme Court Place 1 Chief Justice

Mark Ash (L) advanced from the Libertarian Party convention for Texas Supreme Court Place 1 Chief Justice on August 3, 2020.

Candidate
✔
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Mark Ash

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Texas Supreme Court Place 6

General election

General election for Texas Supreme Court Place 6

IncumbentJane Bland (R) defeatedKathy Cheng (D) in the general election for Texas Supreme Court Place 6 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jane Bland
Jane Bland (R)
 
55.2
 
6,050,534
Image of Kathy Cheng
Kathy Cheng (D)
 
44.8
 
4,903,527

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Total votes: 10,954,061
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 6

Kathy Cheng (D) defeatedLarry Praeger (D) in the Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 6 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Kathy Cheng
Kathy Cheng
 
74.5
 
1,310,598
Larry Praeger
 
25.5
 
448,114

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Total votes: 1,758,712
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 6

IncumbentJane Bland (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 6 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jane Bland
Jane Bland
 
100.0
 
1,699,236

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Total votes: 1,699,236
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Texas Supreme Court Place 7

General election

General election for Texas Supreme Court Place 7

IncumbentJeffrey S. Boyd (R) defeatedStaci Williams (D) andWilliam Bryan Strange (L) in the general election for Texas Supreme Court Place 7 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jeffrey S. Boyd
Jeffrey S. Boyd (R)
 
53.3
 
5,843,420
Image of Staci Williams
Staci Williams (D)
 
44.4
 
4,861,649
William Bryan Strange (L)
 
2.3
 
256,742

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Total votes: 10,961,811
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 7

Staci Williams (D) defeatedBrandy Voss (D) in the Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 7 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Staci Williams
Staci Williams
 
65.1
 
1,134,105
Image of Brandy Voss
Brandy Voss Candidate Connection
 
34.9
 
608,288

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Total votes: 1,742,393
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 7

IncumbentJeffrey S. Boyd (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 7 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jeffrey S. Boyd
Jeffrey S. Boyd
 
100.0
 
1,702,071

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Total votes: 1,702,071
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Libertarian Party convention

Libertarian convention for Texas Supreme Court Place 7

William Bryan Strange (L) advanced from the Libertarian Party convention for Texas Supreme Court Place 7 on August 3, 2020.

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Texas Supreme Court Place 8

General election

General election for Texas Supreme Court Place 8

IncumbentBrett Busby (R) defeatedGisela Triana (D) andTom Oxford (L) in the general election for Texas Supreme Court Place 8 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Brett Busby
Brett Busby (R)
 
53.4
 
5,847,135
Image of Gisela Triana
Gisela Triana (D)
 
44.1
 
4,826,674
Image of Tom Oxford
Tom Oxford (L)
 
2.5
 
274,959

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Total votes: 10,948,768
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 8

Gisela Triana (D) defeatedPeter M. Kelly (D) in the Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 8 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Gisela Triana
Gisela Triana
 
72.0
 
1,251,611
Image of Peter M. Kelly
Peter M. Kelly Candidate Connection
 
28.0
 
485,697

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Total votes: 1,737,308
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 8

IncumbentBrett Busby (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 8 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Brett Busby
Brett Busby
 
100.0
 
1,692,583

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Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 1,692,583
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Libertarian Party convention

Libertarian convention for Texas Supreme Court Place 8

Tom Oxford (L) advanced from the Libertarian Party convention for Texas Supreme Court Place 8 on August 3, 2020.

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Tom Oxford

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Texas Supreme Court Place 2

General election

General election for Texas Supreme Court Place 2

IncumbentJimmy Blacklock (R) defeatedSteven Kirkland (D) in the general election for Texas Supreme Court Place 2 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jimmy Blacklock
Jimmy Blacklock (R)
 
53.2
 
4,358,756
Image of Steven Kirkland
Steven Kirkland (D)
 
46.8
 
3,838,411

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Total votes: 8,197,1670
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 2

Steven Kirkland (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 2 on March 6, 2018.

Candidate
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Steven Kirkland

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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 2

IncumbentJimmy Blacklock (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 2 on March 6, 2018.

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Jimmy Blacklock

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Texas Supreme Court Place 4

General election

General election for Texas Supreme Court Place 4

IncumbentJohn Devine (R) defeatedR.K. Sandill (D) in the general election for Texas Supreme Court Place 4 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of John Devine
John Devine (R)
 
53.7
 
4,399,890
Image of R.K. Sandill
R.K. Sandill (D)
 
46.3
 
3,792,144

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Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 8,192,0340
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 4

R.K. Sandill (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 4 on March 6, 2018.

Candidate
✔
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R.K. Sandill

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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 4

IncumbentJohn Devine (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 4 on March 6, 2018.

Candidate
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John Devine

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Texas Supreme Court Place 6

See also: Texas Supreme Court elections, 2018

General election

General election for Texas Supreme Court Place 6

IncumbentJeff Brown (R) defeatedKathy Cheng (D) in the general election for Texas Supreme Court Place 6 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jeff Brown
Jeff Brown (R)
 
53.7
 
4,404,602
Image of Kathy Cheng
Kathy Cheng (D)
 
46.3
 
3,796,001

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Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 8,200,6030
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 6

Kathy Cheng (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 6 on March 6, 2018.

Candidate
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Kathy Cheng

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Republican primary

Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 6

IncumbentJeff Brown (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Texas Supreme Court Place 6 on March 6, 2018.

Candidate
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Jeff Brown

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Previous election results


Appointments

2025

Justice Boyd vacancy

See also:Texas Supreme Court Justice Boyd vacancy (2025)

GovernorGreg Abbott (R) appointedKyle Hawkins to theTexas Supreme Court on October 24, 2025.[13] Hawkins replaces JusticeJeffrey S. Boyd, who retired on September 1, 2025. Hawkins is Gov.Abbott's (R) eighth nominee to the nine-member supreme court.

In Texas, state supreme court justices are elected in partisan elections. There are eight states that use this selection method. To read more about the partisan election of judges,click here.

In the event of a midterm vacancy, thegovernor appoints a replacement who must be confirmed by theTexas Senate. The appointee serves until the next general election, in which he or she may compete to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.[9]

Justice Blacklock vacancy

See also:Texas Supreme Court Justice Blacklock vacancy (January 2025)

GovernorGreg Abbott (R) appointedJames Sullivan to replace outgoingTexas Supreme Court JusticeJimmy Blacklock, who ascended to the Chief Justice position on January 6, 2025. Sulivan was GovernorAbbott's (R) seventh nominee to the nine-member supreme court.[14]

In Texas, state supreme court justices are elected in partisan elections. There are eight states that use this selection method. To read more about the partisan election of judges,click here.

In the event of a midterm vacancy, thegovernor appoints a replacement who must be confirmed by theTexas Senate. The appointee serves until the next general election, in which he or she may compete to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.[9]

2024

See also:Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice vacancy (December 2024)

GovernorGreg Abbott (R) appointedJimmy Blacklock on January 6, 2025.[14] Blacklock, an associate justice of theTexas Supreme Court since 2018, replaces outgoing Chief JusticeNathan Hecht, who retired on December 31, 2024, due to reaching themandatory retirement age of 75. Blacklock was GovernorAbbott's sixth appointee to the nine-member supreme court.

In Texas, state supreme court justices are elected in partisan elections. There are eight states that use this selection method. To read more about the partisan election of judges,click here.

In the event of a midterm vacancy, thegovernor appoints a replacement who must be confirmed by theTexas Senate. The appointee serves until the next general election, in which he or she may compete to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.[9]

2021

See also:Texas Supreme Court justice vacancy (June 2021)

Texas Governor Gov.Greg Abbott (R) appointedEvan Young to theTexas Supreme Court on November 1, 2021.[14] Young succeeded JusticeEva Guzman, who resigned on June 11, 2021.[15][16] Young was Gov. Abbott's fifth nominee to the nine-member supreme court.

At the time of the vacancy, Texas law directed thegovernor to appoint a replacement to theTexas Supreme Court in the event of a midterm vacancy. TheTexas State Senate must then confirm the nominee. Appointees serve until the next general election, in which he or she must participate in apartisan election to remain on the bench for the remainder of the unexpired term.[17]

2020

Justice Keasler vacancy

See also:Texas Supreme Court justice vacancy (December 2020)

Texas GovernorGreg Abbott (R) appointedJesse McClure to theTexas Court of Criminal Appeals on December 21, 2020. McClure succeeded JudgeMichael Keasler, who retired on December 31, 2020. Keasler reached the mandatory retirement age of 78.[18]

McClure was Gov. Abbott's first nominee to the nine-member Court of Criminal Appeals and fourth nominee to a Texascourt of last resort.

At the time of the appointment, thegovernor would appoint a replacement in the event of a midterm vacancy. The nominee had to be confirmed by theTexas State Senate.

Texas was one of two states with two courts of last resort. TheTexas Supreme Court had jurisdiction over all civil cases, while the Court of Criminal Appeals exerciseddiscretionary review over criminal cases.

Justice Green vacancy

See also:Texas Supreme Court justice vacancy (August 2020)

Texas Gov.Greg Abbott (R) appointedRebeca Huddle to theTexas Supreme Court on October 15, 2020. Huddle succeeded JusticePaul Green, who retired on August 31, 2020, to spend more time with his family.[19][20] Huddle was Abbott's fourth nominee to the nine-member supreme court.

At the time of the appointment, thegovernor would appoint a replacement in the event of a midterm vacancy. The nominee had to be confirmed by theTexas State Senate. Appointees would serve until the next general election, in which they had to participate in apartisan election to remain on the bench for the remainder of the unexpired term.[17]

2019

See also:Texas Supreme Court justice vacancy (July 2019)

Texas Supreme Court JusticeJeff Brown vacated his seat on the state supreme court after he was elevated to be afederal judge on theUnited States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. TheU.S. Senate confirmed Brown to the federal district court on July 31, 2019.[21]

On August 26, 2019, Gov.Greg Abbott (R) nominatedJane Bland to fill the vacancy. Because the legislature was out of session at the time of the appointment, it did not require confirmation by theTexas State Senate. As a result, however, Bland needed to stand for election in 2020 to remain on the bench.

Under Texas law, the governor appointed a replacement in the event of a midterm vacancy on the supreme court. Bland wasGreg Abbott's (R) third nominee to the nine-member supreme court.

2018

See also:Texas Supreme Court justice vacancy (December 2018)

Texas Supreme Court JusticePhil Johnson retired on December 31, 2018.

Under Texas law, the governor appoints and the state Senate must approve a replacement when a supreme court justice retires in the middle of his term.Brett Busby, Johnson's replacement, was Gov.Greg Abbott's (R) second nominee to the nine-member supreme court. TheTexas State Senate confirmed Busby on March 20, 2019.[22]

Caseloads

The table below details the number of cases filed with the court and the number of dispositions (decisions) the court reached in each year.[23]

Texas Supreme Court caseload data
YearFilingsDispositions
20221,3471,320
20211,3141,264
20201,3281,379
20191,4161,459
20181,4201,451
20171,3191,285
20161,1991,190
20151,2731,225
20141,2111,217
20131,2261,264
20121,2241,209
20111,2351,247
20101,3371,339
20091,2451,196
20081,2291,321
20071,2441,337

Analysis

Ballotpedia Courts: Determiners and Dissenters (2021)

See also:Ballotpedia Courts: Determiners and Dissenters

Ballotpedia Courts Determiners and Dissenters navigation ad.pngIn 2020, Ballotpedia publishedBallotpedia Courts: Determiners and Dissenters, a study on how state supreme court justices decided the cases that came before them. Our goal was to determine which justices ruled together most often, which frequently dissented, and which courts featured the most unanimous or contentious decisions.

The study tracked the position taken by each state supreme court justice in every case they decided in 2020, then tallied the number of times the justices on the court ruled together. We identified the following types of justices:

  • We considered two justicesopinion partners if they frequently concurred or dissented together throughout the year.
  • We considered justices adissenting minority if they frequently opposed decisions together as a -1 minority.
  • We considered a group of justices adetermining majority if they frequently determined cases by a +1 majority throughout the year.
  • We considered a justice alone dissenter if he or she frequently dissented alone in cases throughout the year.

Summary of cases decided in 2020

  • Number of justices: 9
  • Number of cases: 90
  • Percentage of cases with a unanimous ruling: 82.2% (74)
  • Justice most often writing the majority opinion: Justices Bland and Busby (10 each)
  • Per curiam decisions: 28
  • Concurring opinions: 11
  • Justice with most concurring opinions: Justices Guzman and Blacklock (3 each)
  • Dissenting opinions: 17
  • Justice with most dissenting opinions: Justice Boyd (6)

For the study's full set of findings in Texas, clickhere.

Ballotpedia Courts: State Partisanship (2020)

See also:Ballotpedia Courts: State Partisanship

Ballotpedia Courts State Partisanship navigation ad.pngLast updated: June 15, 2020

In 2020, Ballotpedia publishedBallotpedia Courts: State Partisanship, a study examining the partisan affiliation of all state supreme court justices in the country as of June 15, 2020.

The study presentedConfidence Scores that represented our confidence in each justice's degree of partisan affiliation, based on a variety of factors. This was not a measure of where a justice fell on the political or ideological spectrum, but rather a measure of how much confidence we had that a justice was or had been affiliated with a political party. To arrive at confidence scores we analyzed each justice's past partisan activity by collecting data on campaign finance, past political positions, party registration history, as well as other factors. The five categories ofConfidence Scores were:

  • Strong Democrat
  • Mild Democrat
  • Indeterminate[24]
  • Mild Republican
  • Strong Republican

We used the Confidence Scores of each justice to develop a Court Balance Score, which attempted to show the balance among justices with Democratic, Republican, and Indeterminate Confidence Scores on a court. Courts with higher positive Court Balance Scores included justices with higher Republican Confidence Scores, while courts with lower negative Court Balance Scores included justices with higher Democratic Confidence Scores. Courts closest to zero either had justices with conflicting partisanship or justices with Indeterminate Confidence Scores.[25]

Texas had a Court Balance Score of10.4, indicatingRepublican control of the court. In total, the study found that there were 15 states with Democrat-controlled courts, 27 states with Republican-controlled courts, and eight states with Split courts. The map below shows the court balance score of each state.

SSC by state.png


Bonica and Woodruff campaign finance scores (2012)

See also:Bonica and Woodruff campaign finance scores of state supreme court justices, 2012

In October 2012, political science professors Adam Bonica and Michael Woodruff of Stanford University attempted to determine the partisan outlook of state supreme court justices in their paper, "State Supreme Court Ideology and 'New Style' Judicial Campaigns." A score above 0 indicated a more conservative-leaning ideology while scores below 0 were more liberal. The state Supreme Court ofTexas was given a campaign finance score (CFscore), which was calculated for judges in October 2012. At that time,Texas received a score of0.91. Based on the justices selected,Texas was the 3rd most conservative court. The study was based on data from campaign contributions by judges themselves, the partisan leaning of contributors to the judges, or—in the absence of elections—the ideology of the appointing body (governor or legislature). This study was not a definitive label of a justice but rather an academic gauge of various factors.[26]

Noteworthy cases

The following are noteworthy cases heard before the Texas Supreme Court. For a full list of opinions published by the court, clickhere. Know of a case we should cover here? Let us know byemailing us.

  • Texas Supreme Court rules inBoeing v. Paxton (2015)
     Judge(s):John Devine (Boeing v. Paxton, No. 12-1007)
Click for summary→

In a 7-1 opinion in June 2015, theTexas Supreme Court ruled thatTexas Attorney GeneralKen Paxton must block the release of information from a lease between Boeing and the Port Authority of San Antonio. The reasoning was that the information, according to Boeing, could benefit the company's competitors. Previously, the state had blocked the release of information only when proprietary information and trade secrets were at stake.[27]

The case concerned the lease between Boeing, an aerospace manufacturer, and the Port Authority for a manufacturing facility at Kelly Field Annex, formerly an air force base. In 2005, a former Boeing employee requested the release of the full lease; Paxton's office argued that Boeing's efforts to redact parts of the lease were not protected under the state's Public Information Act.[27]

Boeing argued that information requested could allow a competitor to calculate the San Antonio operation's overhead costs, potentially putting Boeing at a disadvantage for future government projects.[27]

Two lower courts sided with the Attorney General's office before the Supreme Court reversed their decisions and favored Boeing.[27]

JudgeJohn Devine wrote for the majority that the test for whether information can be blocked "is whether knowing another bidder’s overhead costs would be an advantage, not whether it would be a decisive advantage."[27] He also cited a recent Attorney General ruling allowing GovernorGreg Abbott confidentiality in his meetings with out-of-state businesses he sought to attract to Texas, on the grounds that the governor's office is a "competitor" for the business' jobs.[27]

In the only dissent, JusticeJeffrey S. Boyd argued that Boeing's defense was "too hypothetical and speculative" to qualify for state protection.[27] He wrote that Boeing failed to identify a specific federal contract for which it is competing or any specific competitor; he also wrote that Boeing failed to identify a specific advantage a competitor might garner through the release of the information.[27]

The case drew attention for its reach. Within three months of the ruling, the Attorney General's office citedBoeing v. Paxton at least three times when siding with private companies under government contract.[27]

  • Texas Supreme Court rules on Open Beaches Act (2013) (Severance v. Patterson, No. 09-0387)
Click for summary→

Texans litigated beach ownership as theTexas Supreme Court heardSeverance v. Patterson in January 2013 regarding the Open Beaches Act. The court overturned an appellate ruling that gave the city of Surfside the right to refuse repairs and extend utilities to beachfront homes that were determined to be in the public right-of-way due to erosion.

Thirteen beachfront homeowners argued that the Texas General Land Office's attempts to force them to remove their houses from the public right-of-way amounted to property theft. The Land Office, in a similar situation on Galveston Island, argued that state money cannot legally be spent on private property and that the erosion moving houses to the public beach made that beachfront private property.

In 2012, the court determined that the 1959 Open Beaches Act, which was voted into the state Constitution in 2009 to allow public access to beaches, did not apply in the cases of an avulsive event. Such events could include a storm, which, by no fault of the homeowners, could cause erosion and move their house to the public beach.[28]

Ethics

TheTexas Code of Judicial Conduct sets forth ethical guidelines and principles for the conduct of judges and judicial candidates inTexas. It consists of eight overarching canons:

  • Canon 1: Upholding the Integrity and Independence of the Judiciary
  • Canon 2: Avoiding Impropriety and the Appearance of Impropriety in All of the Judge’s Activities
  • Canon 3: Performing the Duties of Judicial Office Impartially and Diligently
  • Canon 4: Conducting the Judge's Extra-Judicial Activities to Minimize the Risk of Conflict with Judicial Obligations
  • Canon 5: Refraining from Inappropriate Political Activity
  • Canon 6: Compliance with the Code of Judicial Conduct
  • Canon 7: Effective Date of Compliance
  • Canon 8: Construction and Terminology of the Code[29]

The full text of theTexas Code of Judicial Conduct can be foundhere.

Removal of judges

Court of Appeals judges inTexas may be removed in one of three ways:

  • Removal or retirement by a review tribunal upon aTexas Commission on Judicial Conduct recommendation to the Supreme Court. The Commission investigates and, if warranted, prosecutes allegations of judicial misconduct. After a Commission recommendation, the Supreme Court selects a review tribunal made up of Court of Appeals judges to verify the Commission's findings and enter a judgment. Decisions are subject to appeal to the Supreme Court.
  • By thegovernor on the address of two thirds of theTexas Senate and theTexas House of Representatives.
  • By a two-thirds vote of the Senate, upon impeachment by a majority vote of the House.


History of the court

Texas entered the federal union after a decade as an independent nation. The supreme court of Texas was established in 1836 (nine years before statehood) in the Republic of Texasconstitution. The constitution made the supreme court the court of last resort, giving it unlimited appellate jurisdiction. It provided that judges would be elected by a joint ballot of the Texas House of Congress, for four-year terms. The constitution called for the Republic to be divided into three to eight judicial districts and required associate supreme court judges to be appointed from a district, where they would also ride a circuit as district court judges. The court would be presided over by a chief justice. The size of the court varied from five to eight justices.[30]

When Texas achieved statehood in 1845, the newconstitution modified the structure of the court by providing for a three-judge supreme court. The court was to meet yearly in three locations in the state and it eliminated the role of supreme court judges as district court judges. The judges were appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate. The constitution also limited the court's appellate jurisdiction, providing that "the supreme court shall have appellate jurisdiction only, which shall be co-extensive with the limits of the state; but in criminal cases, and in appeals from interlocutory judgements, with such exceptions and under such regulations as the legislature shall make."[31] An 1850 amendment modified the judicial selection process, requiring the supreme court judges be elected in partisan elections, and they have remained so since, with the exception of the reconstruction period.[32]

TheTexas Constitution of 1876, the state's current constitution, provided for the court of appeals to relieve the supreme court of its growing backlog. The court was given jurisdiction for all criminal appeals in the state, making it the court of last resort in those cases. The supreme court is the court of last resort in civil cases. In 1891, the court of appeals was renamed theTexas Court of Criminal Appeals. Only Texas and Oklahoma have separate courts of last resort in civil and criminal matters.[33] Texans passedTexas Proposition 3, Appellate Court Reorganization Amendment (August 1891) in 1891 creating an intermediate level court of civil appeals to relieve the supreme court of its continuing appellate burden. Review by the supreme court of civil appeals from lower courts became discretionary. The supreme court has final appellate jurisdiction on civil and juvenile cases.[34]

In 1945, theTexas Proposition 2, Nine-Member Supreme Court Amendment (August 1945) constitutional amendment passed, providing for nine justices on the supreme court. This is the present number of justices. They remain elected by partisan elections.[35]

Former justices

All former justices of the Texas Supreme Court:[36]click for list →
Name:Dates served:
Eva Guzman2009-2021
Wallace B. Jefferson2001-2013
David Medina2004-2012
Dale Wainwright2003-2012
Harriet O'Neill2005-2010
Scott A. Brister2003-2009
Priscilla R. Owen1995-2005
Michael H. Schneider2002-2004
Steven W. Smith2002-2004
Thomas R. Phillips1988-2004
Craig T. Enoch1993-2003
Xavier Rodriguez2001-2002
James A. Baker1995-2002
Deborah Hankinson1997-2002
Greg Abbott1996-2001
Alberto R. Gonzales1999-2000
Rose Spector1993-1998
Raul A. Gonzalez1984-1998
John Cornyn1991-1997
Jack Hightower1988-1996
Bob Gammage1991-1995
Lloyd Doggett1989-1994
Eugene A. Cook1988-1992
Oscar H. Mauzy1987-1992
C. L. Ray Jr.1980-1990
Franklin S. Spears1979-1990
Barbara Culver1988
John L. Hill Jr.1985-1988
William W. Kilgarlin1983-1988
Ted Robertson1982-1988
James P. Wallace1981-1988
Sears McGee1969-1986
Jack Pope1965-1985
Charles W. Barrow1977-1984
Ruby Kless Sondock1982-1983
James G. Denton1971-1982
Joe R. Greenhill1957-1982
Will Garwood1979-1980
Zollie Steakley1961-1980
Sam Johnson1973-1979
T. C. Chadick1977-1978
Price Daniel1971-1978
Don Yarbrough1977
Thomas M. Reavley1968-1977
Ross E. Doughty1975-1976
Ruel C. Walker1954-1975
Hawthorne Phillips1972
Robert W. Calvert1950-1972
Robert W. Hamilton1959-1970
Clyde E. Smith1950-1970
James R. Norvell1957-1968
Meade F. Griffin1949-1968
Frank P. Culver Jr.1953-1965
J. E. Hickman1945-1961
W. St. John Garwood1948-1958
Abner V. McCall1956
Will Wilson1951-1956
Graham B. Smedley1945-1954
John H. Sharp1945-1952
R. H. Harvey1949-1950
James P. Hart1947-1950
W. M. Taylor1945-1950
A. J. Folley1945-1949
Gordon Simpson1945-1949
James P. Alexander1941-1948
C. S. Slatton1945-1947
Richard Critz1935-1945
John H. Sharp1934-1945
W. F. Moore1940-1941
C. M. Cureton1921-1940
William Pierson1921-1935
Thomas B. Greenwood1918-1934
William E. Hawkins1913-1921
Nelson Phillips1912-1921
J. E. Yantis1915-1918
Thomas J. Brown1893-1915
J. B. Bibrell1911-1913
W. F. Ramsey1911-1912
Reuben R. Gaines1986-1911
F. A. Williams1899-1911
Leroy G. Denman1894-1899
John W. Stayton1881-1894
J. L. Henry1889-1893
A. S. Walker1888-1889
Asa H. Willie1882-1888
Sawnie Robertson1885-1886
Charles S. West1882-1885
Micajah H. Bonner1878-1882
Robert S. Gould1874-1882
George F. Moore1874-1881
Oran M. Roberts1874-1878
John Ireland1875-1876
Peter W. Gray1874-1876
Reuben A. Reeves1874-1876
Thomas J. Devine1874-1875
William P. Ballinger1874
J. D. McAdoo1873-1874
Moses B. Walker1870-1874
Wesley Ogden1870-1874
Lemuel D. Evans1870-1873
James Denison1870
Moses B. Walker1869-1870
Livingston Lindsay1867-1870
Amos Morrill1867-1870
Andrew J. Hamilton1867-1869
Colbert Coldwell1867-1869
Albert H. Latimer1867-1869
Richard Coke1866-1867
S. P. Donley1866-1867
Asa H. Willie1866-1867
George W. Smith1866-1867
James H. Bell1858-1864
Royall T. Wheeler1846-1864
John Hemphil1846-1858
Abner S. Lipscomb1846-1856

Courts in Texas

See also:Courts in Texas

InTexas, there are four federal district courts, a state supreme court, a state court of appeals, and trial courts with both general and limited jurisdiction. These courts serve different purposes, which are outlined in the sections below.

Click a link for information about that court type.

The image below depicts the flow of cases through Texas' state court system. Cases typically originate in the trial courts and can be appealed to courts higher up in the system.

The structure of Texas' state court system.

Partisan control of Texas state government

Astate government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. A state supreme court plays a role in the checks and balances system of a state government.

Texas has a Republicantrifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

See also

TexasJudicial SelectionMore Courts
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Judicial selection in Texas
Federal courts
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External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑This is the base salary, which may increase with years of service or if you hold the position of chief judge.
  2. ↑Texas Judicial Branch, "Supreme Court," accessed August 31, 2021
  3. ↑Texas Courts,"Texas Courts: A Descriptive Summary," accessed June 27, 2024
  4. ↑Texas Office of Court Administration, "FY 2010 Annual Report for the Texas Judiciary,"archived August 24, 2011
  5. ↑Texas Courts,"Texas Courts: A Descriptive Summary," accessed June 27, 2024
  6. ↑Texas Constitution and Statutes, "Texas Constitution," accessed March 30, 2014
  7. ↑Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  8. ↑Texas Courts, "Judicial salaries," accessed October 8, 2025
  9. ↑9.09.19.29.39.49.59.6American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Texas," archived October 3, 2014
  10. ↑While no justice older than 74 may run for office, sitting justices who turn 75 are permitted to remain on the court until their terms expire.
  11. ↑Texas State Historical Association, "Judiciary," accessed September 12, 2014
  12. ↑Supreme Court of Texas Blog, "Other thoughts on Justice Brister’s departure," August 17, 2009
  13. ↑Office of the Texsa Governor, "Governor Abbott Appoints Hawkins As Justice Of The Supreme Court Of Texas," October 24, 2025
  14. ↑14.014.114.2The Texas Tribune, "Jimmy Blacklock named new chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court," January 6, 2025Cite error: Invalid<ref> tag; name "appt" defined multiple times with different content
  15. ↑Texas Tribune, "Texas Supreme Court Justice Eva Guzman resigns," June 7, 2021
  16. ↑Texas Tribune, "Eva Guzman, former Texas Supreme Court justice, officially starts campaign for attorney general," June 21, 2021
  17. ↑17.017.1National Center for State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Texas," accessed June 14, 2021Cite error: Invalid<ref> tag; name "general" defined multiple times with different content
  18. ↑Texas Tribune, "Houston judge Jesse McClure appointed to Texas Court of Criminal Appeals by Gov. Greg Abbott," December 21, 2020
  19. ↑Texas Tribune, "Texas Supreme Court Justice Paul Green says he will retire at the end of August after 15 years on the bench," July 21, 2020
  20. ↑Office of the Texas Governor, "Governor Abbott Appoints Rebeca Huddle To The Texas Supreme Court," October 15, 2020
  21. ↑Congress.gov, "PN510 — Jeffrey Vincent Brown — The Judiciary," accessed April 10, 2019
  22. ↑The Texas Tribune, "Texas Senate confirms Brett Busby for Supreme Court post," March 20, 2019
  23. ↑Texas Judicial Branch, “Statistics & Other Data,” accessed September 23, 2019
  24. ↑An Indeterminate score indicates that there is either not enough information about the justice’s partisan affiliations or that our research found conflicting partisan affiliations.
  25. ↑The Court Balance Score is calculated by finding the average partisan Confidence Score of all justices on a state supreme court. For example, if a state has justices on the state supreme court with Confidence Scores of 4, -2, 2, 14, -2, 3, and 4, the Court Balance is the average of those scores: 3.3. Therefore, the Confidence Score on the court is Mild Republican. The use of positive and negative numbers in presenting both Confidence Scores and Court Balance Scores should not be understood to that either a Republican or Democratic score ispositive ornegative. The numerical values represent their distance from zero, not whether one score is better or worse than another.
  26. ↑Stanford University, "State Supreme Court Ideology and 'New Style' Judicial Campaigns," October 31, 2012
  27. ↑27.027.127.227.327.427.527.627.727.8Governing, "Court makes it easier for companies to keep government contracts secret in Texas," September 25, 2015
  28. ↑The Houston Chronicle, "Texas Court hits open beaches law," January 25, 2013
  29. ↑Texas Judicial Branch, "Texas Code of Judicial Conduct," amended September 1, 2024
  30. ↑Texas Law: Tarlton Law Library,"Constitution of Texas, 1824-1876," accessed June 27, 2024
  31. ↑Texas Law Review,"Short History of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Texas," accessed June 27, 2024
  32. ↑Texas Judicial Branch,"Supreme Court Judicial Election History," accessed June 27, 2024
  33. ↑Texas State Historical Association,"Judiciary," accessed June 27, 2024
  34. ↑Texas State Historical Association,"Judiciary," accessed June 27, 2024
  35. ↑Texas Courts,"Texas Courts: A Descriptive Summary," accessed June 27, 2024
  36. ↑The Supreme Court of Texas, "Court History," accessed August 31, 2021

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Texas Supreme Court
Judicial selection in Texas •2026 elections •Texas Court of Criminal Appeals •Courts in Texas
Current judgesJimmy Blacklock,Jane Bland,Brett Busby,John Devine,Kyle Hawkins,Rebeca Huddle,Debra Lehrmann,James Sullivan,Evan Young
Former judgesGreg Abbott,Jimmy Blacklock,Jeffrey S. Boyd,Jeff Brown,John Cornyn,Lloyd Doggett,Paul W. Green,Eva Guzman,Nathan Hecht,Wallace B. Jefferson,Phil Johnson,David Medina,Steven W. Smith,Dale Wainwright