In an effort to keep voters informed about primary candidates, background information on key contenders is being made available. This initiative focuses on candidates with significant political experience or competitive campaigns, assessed through criteria such as fundraising success, endorsements, and online engagement. For a comprehensive list of candidates, one can view the primary ballot page, while guides and news coverage on the primaries and voting processes are also accessible.
About the elected seat: Justices of the 15th Court of Appeals, established by the Texas Legislature in 2023, are elected by voters statewide. This court handles appeals related to state laws, challenges to their constitutionality, and cases originating from business courts. The current members, all appointed Republicans by Governor Greg Abbott in 2024, are contesting elections for the first time this year. Should they succeed in the upcoming November elections, they will secure six-year terms. Notably, all primary elections for these positions are uncontested, with one candidate in each race for both the Republican and Democratic primaries.
What’s at stake: The justices on this court deal with a wide array of politically pertinent issues, hearing all civil cases involving the state or those challenging state laws before any appeals can be made to the Texas Supreme Court. Since their appointments, the justices have made rulings on various topics, including marijuana legislation, abortion rights, and campaign financing disputes.
Candidates at a glance:
Chief Justice
Scott Brister, Republican, incumbent
Campaign finance: $183,060 cash on hand
Major donors this cycle include:
- Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC – $20,000
- Kenneth Fisher, founder of Fisher Investments – $5,000
- Valero Energy Corporation PAC – $5,000
Experience: Brister has held a Texas Supreme Court seat since his appointment by Governor Rick Perry in 2003, later elected to a six-year term. He has also served on the 1st and 14th Courts of Appeals and was a judge for Harris County’s 234th District Court. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1980.
Political ideology: A seasoned Republican judge, Brister presents himself as an impartial figure who applies the law without bias. He was recognized as one of the most conservative members on the Texas Supreme Court and faced backlash in the 1990s for his refusal to remove the Ten Commandments from his courtroom wall. Recently, he has diverged from party lines, receiving criticism from Attorney General Ken Paxton for several rulings.
Policy stances: Brister asserts his commitment to uphold the law as written, ensuring that personal beliefs or political preferences do not influence his rulings.
Endorsements:
Governor Greg Abbott, State Representative Pat Curry, Texas Alliance for Life (anti-abortion advocacy group)
Jerry Zimmerer
Democrat
Campaign finance: $15,486 cash on hand
Major donors this cycle include:
- Ware, Jackson, Lee, O’Neill, Smith & Barrow, LLP – $1,000
- Wendle Smith, attorney – $1,000
- Plumbers Local Union 68 – $500
Experience: Zimmerer has served as a justice on the Texas 14th Court of Appeals since 2019 and has managed his own private practice focused on cybersecurity and commercial arbitration. He has over 40 years of experience as a trial lawyer and judge. He graduated from South Texas College of Law Houston in 1984.
Political ideology: Elected amid a significant Democratic turnout in 2018, Zimmerer previously sought a position on the Texas Supreme Court in 2020. He has received endorsements from pro-LGBTQ+ and labor organizations in Houston.
Policy stances: Zimmerer aims to use his position to advocate for democratic values and improve court efficiency.
Endorsements:
Bay Area Democratic Movement, Victoria County Democratic Party
Place 2
Scott Field
Republican, incumbent
Campaign finance: $219,409 cash on hand
Major donors this cycle include:
- Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC – $20,000
- Valero Energy Corporation PAC – $5,000
- Kenneth Fisher – $5,000
Experience: Appointed to the Williamson County District Court in 2022, Field served until his 2024 appointment to the appeals court. He was previously a partner at Butler Snow LLP and served as a justice on the Texas 3rd Court of Appeals from 2013 to 2018.
Political ideology: A conservative lawyer, Field is committed to applying the law as written. He is affiliated with the Federalist Society and has faced criticism from Attorney General Paxton for certain rulings regarding legislative actions.
Policy stances: Field pledges impartiality and a strong commitment to the rule of law, stating his intention to apply the law based on written statutes rather than personal beliefs.
Endorsements:
Governor Greg Abbott, The “C” Club of Houston, Texas Alliance for Life
Tom Baker
Democrat
Campaign finance: $2,794 cash on hand
Major donors this cycle include:
- Self-funded: $25,000 in loans
Experience: Baker served on the Texas 3rd Court of Appeals from 2019 to 2024 and has extensive experience as a private practice attorney. He previously worked as an assistant Bee County Attorney and served in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
Political ideology: Elected during the Democratic surge in 2018, Baker believes that political affiliation should not influence judicial decisions.
Policy stances: He was part of the court that upheld Harris County’s mask mandate in 2020 and supported a ruling against a ban on hemp product sales in 2023.
Place 3
April Farris
Republican, incumbent
Campaign finance: $148,687 cash on hand
Major donors this cycle include:
- Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC – $25,000
- Baker Botts Amicus Fund – $5,000
- Valero Energy Corporation PAC – $5,000
Experience: Farris has been a justice on the 1st Court of Appeals since 2021 and has practiced appellate litigation in Houston. She also worked as an assistant solicitor general.
Political ideology: Farris emphasizes her adherence to the Texas Constitution and the rule of law, while also being involved with the Christian Legal Society.
Policy stances: She commits to applying the law based on written statutes and not personal views.
Endorsements:
Governor Greg Abbott, Texas Oil and Gas Association, Texas Civil Justice League PAC
Marc Meyer
Democrat
Campaign finance: $703 cash on hand
Major donors this cycle include:
- Meyer loaned himself $500
- Christopher Powell – $150
- Margaret Kremer – $50
- Charlotte Riser – $25
Experience: Meyer is the managing member of his own law firm and previously ran for a district court position in 2020. He has a background in healthcare and law, having worked as a paramedic and registered nurse.
Political ideology: A former chair of the Montgomery County Democratic Party, Meyer emphasizes impartiality while advocating for Democratic candidates.
Policy stances: He remains active in local Democratic politics and is committed to fairness on the bench.
Endorsements:
Bay Area Democratic Movement, Victoria County Democratic Party, Texas AFL-CIO
