In an effort to inform the public about primary candidates, background information on key contenders for the Texas Supreme Court is being shared. Attention has been given to candidates with significant political experience or those running competitive campaigns, as determined by their fundraising, endorsements, and online visibility. For a comprehensive list of candidates, please refer to the primary ballot page. Additional guides and news coverage regarding the primaries and voting process are also available.
The Texas Supreme Court serves as the state’s highest civil court, functioning as the final authority on critical state law issues. Justices serve six-year terms through partisan elections; however, if they resign before their term concludes— a common occurrence— the governor appoints a replacement. Governor Greg Abbott, a former Supreme Court member, has appointed seven of the current nine justices, all of whom are Republicans. The last Democrat to be elected to the court was in the 1990s.
Key issues at stake include the court’s interpretation of the state Constitution, affecting significant legislative matters such as the validity of state laws and the limits of elected officials’ authority. The court’s decisions are final, allowing the justices considerable sway over Texas laws. Recently, the Supreme Court has upheld the state’s abortion bans, imposed restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors, addressed pandemic-related election protocols, and postponed the execution of a death row inmate. Currently, several critical cases are pending, including the potential removal of Democrats who left the state in protest of redistricting. This year’s ballot includes four of the nine court positions, including the chief justice role. All Republican incumbents are unopposed in the primaries, while the Democratic primary features multiple candidates for Places 1 and 7.
Place 1: Chief Justice
Jimmy Blacklock (Republican)
Campaign finance: $565,473 cash on hand
Major donors this cycle include:
- Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
- Vinson & Elkins Texas PAC
- Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP Texas Committee
Experience: Blacklock has served as chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court since January 2025, having been appointed by Abbott in January 2018. He worked as Abbott’s general counsel from 2015 to 2018 and previously served in the Texas Attorney General’s Office from 2009 to 2015. He holds a degree from Yale Law School.
Political ideology: Blacklock identifies as a Republican and adheres to a judicial philosophy known as “originalism,” emphasizing a strict interpretation of the Constitution. His previous roles include managing legal challenges to the Affordable Care Act and advocating for Texas’ abortion regulations.
Endorsements: Blacklock is endorsed by Governor Greg Abbott, anti-abortion groups, and the Texas Civil Justice League.
Cory Carlyle (Democrat)
Campaign finance: $3,717 cash on hand
Major donors this cycle include:
- Paul Wingo, Dallas attorney
- Charles Brady, Arlington attorney
- Thomas Lester, Washington, D.C. attorney
Experience: Carlyle is a partner at Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons in Dallas and served as a justice on the Texas 5th Court of Appeals from 2019 to 2025. He has also worked as an assistant attorney general and assistant district attorney.
Political ideology: As a Democrat, Carlyle emphasizes the importance of faithfully interpreting laws and adhering to legal precedents.
Endorsements: Carlyle has received endorsements from the Preston Hollow Democrats.
Maggie Ellis (Democrat)
Campaign finance: $21,392 cash on hand
Major donors this cycle include:
- Blue Victory Communications
- Madeleine Connor, former Travis County district judge
- Carlos Salinas, Austin family attorney
Experience: Ellis has been a justice on Texas’ 3rd Court of Appeals since January 2025 and has a background in juvenile and family law. She has also served as an assistant district attorney and a public school teacher.
Political ideology: Ellis is a Democrat advocating for the separation of politics from the judiciary and improved access to justice. Her candidacy was motivated by the Texas Supreme Court’s guidance on same-sex marriages.
Endorsements: Ellis is supported by various Democratic organizations including the AFL-CIO and Stonewall Democrats of Austin.
Place 2
James Sullivan (Republican)
Campaign finance: $354,765 cash on hand
Major donors this cycle include:
- Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
- Vinson & Elkins Texas PAC
- Valero Energy Corporation PAC
Experience: Sullivan was appointed by Abbott to the Texas Supreme Court in January 2025. He has served as Abbott’s general counsel and has a history of working in Texas’ legal system.
Political ideology: Sullivan is a conservative Republican who is committed to upholding the rule of law.
Endorsements: He is endorsed by Governor Greg Abbott and several anti-abortion organizations.
Chari Kelly (Democrat)
Campaign finance: $74,328 cash on hand
Major donors this cycle include:
- Susan Miller, retired Austin attorney
- Debra Shivers, business manager at Jones Family Farm
Experience: Kelly has served on the Texas 3rd Court of Appeals since 2019, with prior roles as a felony prosecutor and assistant attorney general.
Political ideology: Kelly identifies as a Democrat and positions herself as a staunch defender of the Constitution.
Endorsements: She has received support from the AFL-CIO and local Democratic groups.
Place 7
Kyle Hawkins (Republican, incumbent)
Campaign finance: $231,002 cash on hand
Major donors this cycle include:
- Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
- Vinson & Elkins Texas PAC
- Scott Keller and Steven Lehotsky, partners at Lehotsky Keller
Experience: Hawkins was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court in October 2025 and has served in various roles in the legal field, including as Texas solicitor general.
Political ideology: As a conservative Republican, Hawkins has been involved in significant legal battles concerning the Affordable Care Act and Voting Rights Act.
Endorsements: Hawkins is endorsed by Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Civil Justice League.
Gordon Goodman (Democrat)
Campaign finance: $1,004 cash on hand
Major donors this cycle include:
- Goodman loaned his campaign $6,096
Experience: Goodman served as a justice on Texas’ 1st Court of Appeals from 2019 to 2024.
Political ideology: Goodman is running as a Democrat.
Endorsements: He has received support from University Democrats.
Kristen Hawkins (Democrat)
Campaign finance: $309,660 cash on hand
Major donors this cycle include:
- Kurt Arnold and Jason Itkin from Arnold & Itkin
- Mike Lowenberg, Houston attorney
- Sean Roberts from a Houston personal injury law firm
Experience: Hawkins has been a judge of the 11th District Court in Houston since 2017, overseeing various legal proceedings.
Political ideology: Hawkins, a Democrat, is focused on enhancing access to jury trials and believes district judges’ perspectives are valuable for appellate courts.
Endorsements: Hawkins has been endorsed by various local Democratic organizations.
Place 8
Brett Busby (Republican)
