Race 15 of 18
Decides criminal appeals, including every death-penalty case, on the state's highest criminal court.
Created and edited by Omar Afra
2026 election results · unofficial
Holly Taylor leads the reported totals with 52.28% of 9,645,775 votes reported.
| Candidate | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Holly TaylorDemocratMost votes reported | 5,043,094 | 52.28% |
| John MessingerRepublican | 4,602,681 | 47.72% |
| Total votes reported | 9,645,775 | 2 entries |
Unofficial returns: Texas Secretary of State, “2026 NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION (Updated 11/04/2026 04:59 PM)”; time zone not shown on the source. Checked November 8, 2026. 100% of polling locations reporting, which does not mean every ballot has been counted. Not certified; the state canvass falls between November 21, 2026 and December 7, 2026. Shares are of all votes reported in the race, write-ins included, rounded to two decimals; they may not total 100%.
Campaign research · compiled before the election
We are reviewing opinions, briefs and professional records for this judicial race. We do not infer a judge's position from party affiliation.
Sources under review
Republican
John Messinger is the Republican candidate for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9. Attorney with the Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney since 2011.
Democrat
Holly Taylor is the Democratic candidate for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9. Director of the Travis County district attorney's Public Integrity and Complex Crimes Division.
Candidates as printed on the 2026 General Election statewide sample ballot (Texas Secretary of State): John Messinger (Republican), Holly Taylor (Democrat).
0 of 18 statewide races selected
