Democratic candidates lead in Texas Supreme Court and Criminal Appeals elections

Who's involved

• Maggie EllisJustice on Texas Third Court of Appeals, Democratic challenger to Chief Justice Blacklock
• Jimmy BlacklockChief Justice, Texas Supreme Court, Republican standing for reelection
• Chari KellyJustice on Texas Third Court of Appeals, Democratic challenger to Justice Sullivan
• James SullivanJustice, Texas Supreme Court, Republican standing for reelection
• Kristen HawkinsJudge on 11th District Court, Democratic challenger to Justice Hawkins
• Kyle HawkinsJustice, Texas Supreme Court, Republican standing for reelection
• Gisela TrianaJustice on Texas Third Court of Appeals, Democratic challenger to Justice Busby
• Brett BusbyJustice, Texas Supreme Court, Republican standing for reelection
• Audra RileyPresiding Judge of Criminal District Court Number 3 in Dallas County, Democratic challenger to Judge Yeary
• Kevin YearyJudge, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Republican standing for reelection

The facts

• Texas Supreme Court has been all-Republican since 1999, with no Democrat winning since 1994.¹
• All four Republican justices on Texas Supreme Court standing for reelection are trailing Democratic challengers.¹
• If Democratic candidates win, Texas Supreme Court will have 5–4 Republican majority instead of all-Republican.¹
• All three Republican candidates on Texas Court of Criminal Appeals are trailing Democratic challengers.¹
• If Democratic candidates win Court of Criminal Appeals races, court will have 6–3 Republican majority.¹
• Three Republican Supreme Court seats are up for election in 2028; if two Democratic candidates win now, majority will be at stake then.¹
• Maggie Ellis would be first female chief justice in Texas history if she wins.¹

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

• State Court Report Democratic candidates' performance signals significant implications for 2028 ideological control of Texas courts.¹