Election 2024: The Courts

THE COURTS

The Texas Supreme Court

Analysis: Three incumbents on the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court face opposition from Democrats, who see the election as a vehicle to challenge the state's abortion ban.

Government/Politics

Can ire over abortion ban finally put a Democrat on the Texas Supreme Court?

Eleanor Klibanoff | The Texas Tribune

Three Republican incumbents are being targeted for their role in recent abortion rulings by a new Democratic political action committee.

Justice, Supreme Court, Place 2

• Jimmy Blacklock (R)
• Dasean Jones (D)

Justice, Supreme Court, Place 4

• John Devine (R)
• Christine Vinh Weems (D)

Justice, Supreme Court, Place 6

• Jane Bland (R)
• Bonnie Lee Goldstein (D)
• J. David Roberson

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Analysis: Texas has two high courts. The Supreme Court handles civil cases, and the Criminal Court of Appeals handles criminal cases.

All nine seats are held by Republicans but there are three open races because three GOP incumbents lost their primaries after being targeted by Attorney General Ken Paxton over a ruling that his office must get permission from county prosecutors to go after alleged cases of voter fraud.

Government/Politics

After Roberson ruling, upcoming Court of Criminal Appeals election in the spotlight

Eleanor Klibanoff | The Texas Tribune

Three of the five judges who allowed Robert Roberson’s execution to proceed will be leaving the court after Paxton-backed primary challenges.

Presiding Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals

• David J. Schenck (R)
• Holly Taylor (D)

Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 7

• Gina Parker (R)
• Nancy Mulder (D)

Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8

• Lee Finley (R)
• Chika Anyiam (D)

Fourth Court of Appeals

Analysis: The Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio has intermediate appellate jurisdiction of both civil and criminal cases appealed from lower courts in 32 counties in South and Central Texas.

Democrats hold six of the seven seats, with three seats being challenged by Republicans.

Justice, 4th Court of Appeals District, Place 2

• Velia J. Meza (D)

Justice, 4th Court of Appeals District, Place 3

• Todd McCray (R)
• Cynthia Marie Chapa (D)

Justice, 4th Court of Appeals District, Place 4

• Lori Massey Brissette (R)
• Luz Elena Chapa (D)

Justice, 4th Court of Appeals District, Place 5

• Adrian Spears (R)
• Liza A. Rodriguez (D)

Justice, 4th Court of Appeals District, Place 7

• Lori I. Valenzuela (R)

Government/Politics

Where, when and how to vote in the Nov. 5, 2024, election in San Antonio

TPR Staff

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

Bexar County District Courts:

Analysis: Bexar County's district court judge seats are all held by Democrats. The candidates on the ballot are all running unopposed.

District Judge, 37th Judicial District

• Nicole Garza (D)

District Judge, 57th Judicial District

• Antonia "Toni" Arteaga (D)

District Judge, 73rd Judicial District

• Elizabeth Martinez (D)

District Judge, 131st Judicial District

• Norma Gonzales (D)

District Judge, 166th Judicial District

• Laura Salinas (D)

District Judge, 175th Judicial District

• Catherine Torres-Stahl (D)

District Judge, 379th Judicial District

• Ron Rangel (D)

District Judge, 386th Judicial District

• Jacqueline "Jackie" Valdes (D)

District Judge, 399th Judicial District

• Frank J. Castro (D)

District Judge, 407th Judicial District

• Tina Torres (D)

District Judge, 408th Judicial District

• Angelica Jimenez (D)

District Judge, 438th Judicial District

• Rosie Alvarado (D)

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