Texas Voters Head to Polls to Decide Key Judicial Positions in Midterms
In the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, Texans will cast their ballots for seats on the state's highest courts, including the Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals.
The 2026 midterm elections in Texas bring significant judicial positions to the forefront, with voters set to decide on seats at the state’s highest courts. These include the Texas Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals, and the 15th Court of Appeals, all of which play crucial roles in shaping legal outcomes across the Lone Star State 13.
The stakes are particularly high for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, known for handling cases involving life and death, such as death penalty appeals. This court's decisions can have profound impacts on individuals' lives, making the upcoming election for this position especially noteworthy 12.
On the Texas Supreme Court, nine justices serve staggered six-year terms, dealing primarily with civil matters. Among these, Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, Justice James Sullivan, and Justice Kyle Hawkins are Republican incumbents seeking re-election. They face challenges from Maggie Ellis, Chari Kelly, and Kristen Hawkins respectively, while Justice Brett Busby competes against Gisela Triana for his seat 13.
For the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the race is notably less crowded, with incumbent Kevin Patrick Yeary being the sole Republican candidate. Yeary faces off against Audra Riley in his bid for re-election, while other spots see Judge Thomas Smith competing against Okey Anyiam for Place 3 and Judge John Messinger facing Holly Taylor for Place 9 3.
These judicial races highlight the importance of voter turnout in Texas, as they determine who will interpret and apply laws in some of the most critical areas of state governance. The outcomes could influence everything from business disputes to criminal justice reform for years to come.
What we know
- - Seats on the Texas Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, and 15th Court of Appeals are up for election in the 2026 midterm election. 13
- - The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals handles cases involving life and death, including death penalty appeals. 12
- - The Texas Supreme Court handles civil matters and has nine justices serving staggered six-year terms. 1
- - Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, Justice James Sullivan, and Justice Kyle Hawkins are Republican incumbents running for re-election on the Texas Supreme Court. 1
- - Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock is running for re-election against Maggie Ellis. 3
- - Justice James Sullivan is running for re-election against Chari Kelly. 3
- - Justice Kyle Hawkins is running for re-election against Kristen Hawkins. 3
- - Justice Brett Busby is running for re-election against Gisela Triana. 3
- - Incumbent Kevin Patrick Yeary is the only Republican candidate on the ballot for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. 1
- - Incumbent Judge Kevin Patrick Yeary is running for re-election against Audra Riley. 3
- - Judge Thomas Smith is running against Okey Anyiam for Place 3 on the Court of Criminal Appeals. 3
- - Judge John Messinger is running against Holly Taylor for Place 9 on the Court of Criminal Appeals. 3
Verification report
Likely accurate — probability of truth 69%, weighted across 14 claims from 3 independent outlets.
- likely Seats on the Texas Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, and 15th Court of Appeals are up for election in the 2026 midterm election. (71%)
- confirmed The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals handles cases involving life and death, including death penalty appeals. (85%)
- likely The Texas Supreme Court handles civil matters and has nine justices serving staggered six-year terms. (71%)
- likely Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, Justice James Sullivan, and Justice Kyle Hawkins are Republican incumbents running for re-election on the Texas Supreme Court. (71%)
- likely Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock is running for re-election against Maggie Ellis. (71%)
- likely Justice James Sullivan is running for re-election against Chari Kelly. (71%)
- likely Justice Kyle Hawkins is running for re-election against Kristen Hawkins. (71%)
- likely Justice Brett Busby is running for re-election against Gisela Triana. (71%)
- likely Incumbent Kevin Patrick Yeary is the only Republican candidate on the ballot for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. (71%)
- likely Incumbent Judge Kevin Patrick Yeary is running for re-election against Audra Riley. (71%)
- likely Judge Thomas Smith is running against Okey Anyiam for Place 3 on the Court of Criminal Appeals. (71%)
- likely Judge John Messinger is running against Holly Taylor for Place 9 on the Court of Criminal Appeals. (71%)
- unverified Republican Governor Greg Abbott appointed seven of the ten justices currently holding seats on the three courts up for election. (50%)
- unverified Republican Governor Greg Abbott appointed seven of the ten judges running for election. (50%)
Sources
- Texas Standard (Texas) — Texas judges on the state’s highest courts are on the midterm ballot. Here’s what to know
https://texasstandard.org/stories/texas-judges-on-the-states-highest-courts-are-on-the-midterm-ballot-heres-what-to-know/ - www.kera.org (Texas) — Texas judges on the state’s highest courts are on the midterm ballot. Here’s what to know
https://www.kera.org/2026/10/30/texas-judges-on-the-states-highest-courts-are-on-the-midterm-ballot-heres-what-to-know/ - Houston Public Media (Texas) — Texas judges on the state’s highest courts are on the midterm ballot. Here’s what to know
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/election-2026/2026/10/30/565665/texas-judges-on-the-states-highest-courts-are-on-the-midterm-ballot-heres-what-to-know/