Four Texas Supreme Court seats, including chief justice, are on the Nov. 3 ballot, each with a Democratic challenger

Three of the Republican incumbents were appointed by Gov. Abbott and face voters in those seats for the first time. Two of the Democratic challengers sit on the Third Court of Appeals in Austin, and Justice Brett Busby faces a rematch.

Below the governor's and Senate races, every Texas ballot this fall carries four seats on the state's highest civil court.

The Texas Supreme Court has nine justices elected statewide to staggered six-year terms, and all nine are Republicans. Four of those seats are up on Nov. 3, according to a judicial voter guide published Wednesday by the San Antonio Report, and each faces a Democrat.

Chief justice

Jimmy Blacklock (R) became chief justice in 2025, when Gov. Greg Abbott elevated him after Nathan Hecht reached the age limit for Texas judges. Blacklock has been on the court since 2018 and was earlier the governor's general counsel.

Maggie Ellis (D) is a justice on the Third Court of Appeals in Austin. The guide describes her as a former teacher and foster parent whose legal background is in juvenile law.

Place 2

James P. Sullivan (R) was appointed in January 2025 to the seat Blacklock left behind and is running to finish that term. He has clerked on the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., worked in the state Solicitor General's office and practiced as a litigator.

Chari Kelly (D), also a Third Court of Appeals justice, served in the Army as a paratrooper and later as a military lawyer.

Place 7

Kyle Hawkins (R) was appointed in October 2025 after Justice Jeff Boyd retired and is seeking a full term. He is a former Texas solicitor general who also worked at the U.S. Justice Department and has taught at UT's law school.

Kristen Hawkins (D) has presided over a Harris County district court since 2016, after a career in civil litigation. Despite the shared last name, the two are on opposite sides of the race.

Place 8

Brett Busby (R) joined the court by appointment in 2019, won election to a full six-year term in 2020 and is seeking another. He served on Houston's 14th Court of Appeals and was a partner at the Bracewell law firm.

Gisela Triana (D) is running against him again. She was a Travis County district judge for 14 years and now sits on the Third Court of Appeals.

Why the seats draw less notice

Judicial races get little attention next to the top of the ticket, but the Supreme Court has the final word on civil cases in Texas, from business disputes to cases involving local governments. Republicans have held every statewide judicial seat for more than 30 years, the guide notes.

Early voting runs through Friday, Oct. 30, and Tuesday, Nov. 3, is Election Day.

Sources

sanantonioreport.org

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