Democrats Sweep Texas Statewide Courts in Historic Shift

Texas voters dismantled the Republican majority on the state's highest courts in a series of decisive victories reported on November 4. Democrats secured every contested seat on the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, while also ousting all three Republican incumbents on the 15th Court of Appeals. The results mark the first time since 1994 that a Democrat has won a seat on the state's highest civil and criminal courts.

On the Texas Supreme Court, four seats were up for election, and Democratic candidates claimed all of them. Maggie Ellis, a justice on the Austin-based 3rd Court of Appeals, defeated incumbent Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock. In another key race, Kristen Hawkins, a Harris County state district court judge, unseated Kyle Hawkins, who had been appointed to the high court in October. Chari Kelly, also from the 3rd Court of Appeals, defeated Republican James Sullivan. Gisela Triana, a 3rd Court of Appeals justice, won the final seat against Brett Busby, who conceded early Wednesday morning.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals saw similar results. Democrat Okey Anyiam, a criminal defense attorney, led Republican Thomas Smith by more than 237,000 votes with 99% of ballots counted in the race for Place 3. Audra Riley, a Dallas County criminal district court judge, defeated incumbent Kevin Yeary, who had served on the court since 2014. Holly Taylor, a criminal and civil appeals attorney, secured the Place 9 seat by defeating Republican John Messinger. The court currently holds a 6-3 Republican lead, a margin that will narrow as these new terms begin.

The 15th Court of Appeals, created in 2023 and filled with appointees from Governor Greg Abbott, saw a complete turnover. All three Republican incumbents lost their first general election bids. Jerry Zimmerer, a former justice on the Houston-based 14th Court of Appeals, defeated Scott Brister for the chief justice role. Tom Baker, a former 3rd Court of Appeals justice, defeated Scott Field for Place 2, with the Associated Press declaring Baker the winner early Wednesday afternoon. Marc Meyer, who runs a private law firm, defeated April Farris in the contest for Place 3.

These victories follow a strong showing for Democrats across the state, including record early voting turnout. The outcomes end the tenure of several Republican incumbents and reverse the political balance on these judicial bodies. The Supreme Court, composed of nine justices serving staggered six-year terms, currently has a 5-4 Republican advantage. Pending cases include a challenge regarding Democratic lawmakers who left Texas to block redistricting efforts. The Court of Criminal Appeals handles direct death penalty appeals and other criminal matters. The 15th Court of Appeals hears civil cases involving the state, business court matters, and constitutional challenges to state laws.

The last Democrat to win a seat on the Texas Supreme Court or the Court of Criminal Appeals was in 1994. Judge Lawrence Meyers switched parties in 2013, giving Democrats a temporary presence on the criminal court until he lost his reelection bid in 2016. This year's results conclude that period of limited Democratic representation and establish a new judicial landscape in the state.