Three Republican justices are running for reelection to Texas' 15th Court of Appeals, facing Democratic opponents. The court was created by the Legislature in 2023 to hear cases involving state government, and Governor Greg Abbott appointed the inaugural justices who began their first term on Sept. 1, 2024.
Where
Statewide
When
Oct. 27, 2026
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Who's involved
Scott BristerInaugural chief justice, 15th Court of Appeals; candidate for reelection
Jerry ZimmererDemocrat, candidate against Brister
Scott FieldJustice, 15th Court of Appeals; candidate for reelection
Tom BakerDemocrat, candidate against Field
Greg AbbottGovernor who appointed inaugural justices
The facts
Legislature created the 15th Court of Appeals in 2023 to hear cases involving state government.1
Governor Abbott appointed inaugural justices to the court who began their first term Sept. 1, 2024.1
The 15th Court of Appeals has jurisdiction over the entire state.1
Scott Brister served one six-year term on the Texas Supreme Court.1
Brister served three years as justice and chief justice of Houston's 1st and 14th Courts of Appeals.1
Brister served 11 years as presiding judge of the 234th District Court in Harris County.1
Scott Field previously served as inaugural judge of the 480th Judicial District Court in Williamson County.1
Field served one six-year term on the Third Court of Appeals in Austin.1
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Scott Brister My approach has been to follow the law as written and respect the Constitution.1
Jerry Zimmerer The 15th Court should answer to the law and voters, not to the officials who appointed it.1
Jerry Zimmerer A court is only as trustworthy as the independence of the people sitting on it.1
Scott Field I believe in applying the law as written, not rewriting it to fit personal views.1
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
A federal judge in Virginia dismissed all remaining claims against Dr. Melina Kibbe, president of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, in a lawsuit filed by former University of Virginia doctors. The lawsuit alleged negligent hiring and retaliation during her tenure at UVA.
Dr. Melina Kibbe, President of University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; former dean of UVA medical school; Senior U.S. District Judge Norman K. Moon, Federal judge who dismissed the claims; Former UVA doctors, Plaintiffs who brought the lawsuit
Former Burnet County Judge James Oakley filed a federal lawsuit against former district attorney Wiley "Sonny" McAfee and current Sheriff Calvin Boyd, alleging malicious prosecution. Oakley was indicted on four counts in March 2023 related to holding multiple offices, misuse of a county vehicle, tampering with evidence, and official oppression. Three charges were dismissed and he was acquitted on one at trial in August 2023.
$over $200,000 for lawyer bills
James Oakley, former Burnet County judge, filing lawsuit; Wiley 'Sonny' McAfee, former Burnet County district attorney, defendant in lawsuit; Calvin Boyd, current Burnet County Sheriff, defendant in lawsuit and 1 more
A Travis County jury found Shane James competent to stand trial in connection with a December 2023 shooting spree across Austin and San Antonio. The jury deliberated for 17 minutes. Jury selection for his capital murder trial begins Tuesday, with trial set to begin Thursday.
Shane James, defendant; Mollimichelle McClendon, defense forensic psychologist; Kimberly Harrison, state forensic psychologist and 1 more
Jose David Carvajal Jr., 54, of Floresville was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for distributing child sexual abuse material through the messaging app Kik. He pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography and was ordered to pay restitution.
$$35,000 for restitution to victims
Jose David Carvajal Jr., defendant, sentenced to 18 years in federal prison; U.S. District Judge Jason Pulliam, federal judge who imposed sentence; Justin Simmons, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas and 1 more
The U.S. Supreme Court denied an emergency appeal from three cities and an immigrant advocacy group seeking to block an agreement between Texas and the Trump administration. The deal ends administrative closure, a practice allowing immigration judges to temporarily pause deportation cases.
U.S. Supreme Court, denied emergency appeal; Texas, filed lawsuit and reached agreement with DOJ; Department of Justice, agreed to end administrative closure practice and 5 more
Hemp industry representatives filed a lawsuit challenging Texas' ban on smokable hemp-derived THC products. The plaintiffs claim state health officials exceeded their authority in establishing the rules and imposing higher licensing fees, and argue only state lawmakers had authority to create them.
Texas Hemp Constitutional Alliance, plaintiff in lawsuit; Green Nation, hemp business plaintiff in lawsuit; Stephanie Muth, executive director of Texas Health and Human Services, named as defendant and 1 more
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U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, Made the ruling; Judge Cory T. Wilson, Wrote the majority opinion; Judge Leslie H. Southwick, Led the dissent and 6 more
John Stuart Robison, 63, of Austin was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for defrauding an investor of $1 million intended for the University of Austin. He was convicted in July on wire fraud and money laundering charges.
$$1 million for restitution ordered
John Stuart Robison, defendant convicted of wire fraud and money laundering; U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman, judge who imposed sentence; Justin R. Simmons, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas