Texas’ highest court that oversees criminal appeals will see three available seats on 2024’s general election ballot.
Each of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals incumbent judges – all of whom are running as Republicans – will face a challenger during the primary election. There are also set to be a handful of Democratic contenders.
Texas is one of two states in the U.S. that has two courts of last resort or high courts. While this one oversees criminal appeals, the other, the Supreme Court of Texas, deals with civil cases. Oklahoma is the only other state that has the same two-court system.
Three places on the Supreme Court of Texas also will be featured on the forthcoming general election ballot.
The following candidates have been approved by the Texas Secretary of State to appear on the ballot for the Republican and Democratic parties for the primary election on March 5. Early voting is set to kick off on February 20.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Presiding Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals
Republican primary candidates:
Sharon Keller, presiding judge, Texas CTCA from Austin (Incumbent)
Campaign website: https://www.sharonkeller.com/
David J. Schenck, former justice/attorney from Dallas
Campaign website: https://schenckfortexas.com/
Democratic primary candidate:
Holly Taylor, assistant district attorney from Austin
Campaign website: None
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 7
Republican primary candidates:
Barbara Parker Hervey, judge (Incumbent)
Campaign website: None
Gina Parker, attorney from Waco
Campaign website: https://ginaparkercampaign.com/
Democratic primary candidate:
Nancy Mulder, Texas district judge from Farmers Branch
Campaign website: https://judgemulder.com/
Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 8
Republican primary candidates:
Lee Finley, attorney
Campaign website: https://gleefinley.com/
Michelle Slaughter, judge from League City (Incumbent)
Campaign website: https://www.judgemichelleslaughter.com/
Democratic primary candidate:
Chika Anyiam, Texas district judge
Campaign website: https://judgechikaanyiam.com/