Editor’s note: To help readers learn more about primary candidates, The Texas Tribune is sharing background information on top candidates. In particularly crowded races, we focused on candidates with political experience or demonstrably competitive campaigns, using benchmarks such as fundraising, endorsements and online presence. For a full list of candidates, view our primary ballot page. For more information on the primaries and the voting process, check out our guides and news coverage here.
About the elected seat: These state justices are elected by voters from across the state and they hear and rule on cases appealed to the 15th Court of Appeals. The court is new, created by the Texas Legislature in 2023 to oversee appeals involving the state, challenges to the constitutionality of state laws and cases from business courts. All three of the court’s current members are Republicans who were appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2024 and are facing election for the first time this year. If they win November’s general election, they will secure six-year terms. All of the primary elections for these seats are uncontested with only one candidate running in each race in both the Republican and Democratic primaries.
What’s at stake: The members of this court are asked to grapple with practically every issue of political importance in the state because the court hears all civil cases involving the state or challenging state laws before they can be appealed to the Texas Supreme Court. In the year-and-a-half since the three justices were appointed, they have ruled on marijuana policy, abortion policy, campaign finance disputes and more.
Candidates at a glance:
Chief Justice
Scott Brister
Republican, incumbent
💰 Campaign finance:
- $183,060 cash on hand
💰 Major donors this cycle:
- Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC – $20,000
- Kenneth Fisher, founder and executive chairman of financial advising firm Fisher Investments – $5,000
- Valero Energy Corporation PAC – $5,000
Experience:
- Appointed to a seat on the Texas Supreme Court in 2003 by then-Gov. Rick Perry, then elected to a six-year term in 2004, serving through 2009.
- Sat on the 1st and 14th Court of Appeals
- Judge for Harris County’s 234th District Court
- Graduated from Harvard Law School in 1980
Political ideology:
A longtime Republican judge, Brister describes himself as an “impartial judge who applies the law, not personal beliefs or political preferences.” On the Texas Supreme Court, Brister was considered one of the most conservative members at the time. He also faced criticism in the 1990s for posting then refusing to remove the Ten Commandments from the wall of his Houston district courtroom, even after he was sued by an attorney. Brister has bucked members of his party in recent rulings, last year the court faced criticism by Attorney General Ken Paxton after it ruled against him multiple times.
Policy stances:
Brister said he will impartially follow the law as written, apply the law faithfully and efficiently, not rule based on personal beliefs or political preferences
In the news:
- Ken Paxton’s legal crusade against Beto O’Rourke is faltering before an all-Republican appeals court
- Texas AG Ken Paxton again blocked from enforcing reporting rules against Democratic DAs
- Texas Judges Facing Election Draw Paxton’s Ire Over Beto Ruling
Endorsements:
- Gov. Greg Abbott
- State Rep. Pat Curry, R-Waco
- Texas Alliance for Life, anti-abortion advocacy group
Jerry Zimmerer
Democrat
💰 Campaign finance:
- $15,486 cash on hand
💰 Major donors this cycle:
- Ware, Jackson, Lee, O’Neill, Smith & Barrow, LLP, a Houston area law firm: $1,000
- Wendle Smith, Houston attorney – $1,000
- Plumbers Local Union 68, a Houston labor union – $500
Experience:
- Justice on the Houston-area Texas 14th Court of Appeals from 2019 through 2024
- Managed his own private practice based in Houston, Zimmerer & Associates, focused on cyber security, health and commercial arbitration
- Senior project manager and network technical engineer with AT&T Mobility from 2003 until 2015
- Trial lawyer and judge for more than 40 years
- Graduated from South Texas College of Law Houston in 1984
Political ideology:
A Democratic judge, Zimmerer was elected to the 14th Court of Appeals amid a 2018 rout of urban appellate courts. Zimmerer ran for the state Supreme Court in 2020 and lost the Democratic Primary. Zimmerer has previously received endorsements from pro LGBTQ+ and labor Houston-area organizations.
Policy stances:
- Use his office as a vehicle to promote democratic values
- Court efficiency
Endorsements:
- Bay Area Democratic Movement, a Democratic club based in the greater Clear Lake area
- Victoria County Democratic Party
Place 2
Scott Field
Republican, incumbent
💰 Campaign finance:
- $219,409 cash on hand
💰 Major donors this cycle:
- Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC – $20,000
- Valero Energy Corporation PAC – $5,000
- Kenneth Fisher, founder and executive chairman of financial advising firm Fisher Investments – $5,000
Experience:
- Appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to Williamson County’s 480th District Court in 2022, serving until his appointment to the appeals court in 2024.
- Partner at Butler Snow LLP, a firm in Austin, where he practiced in the appellate advocacy and commercial litigation divisions.
- Justice on the Texas 3rd Court of Appeals in Austin from 2013 through 2018.
Political ideology:
A longtime conservative lawyer and judge, Field said he intends to apply the law as written. Field is a member of the Federalist Society, a conservative legal network, and the Williamson County Christian Legal Society. Field joined his colleagues on the Republican-controlled court in several rulings that drew criticism by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton last year, including that Democrats in the state Legislature who fled the state in an attempt to stop congressional redistricting could receive donations to fund that effort.
Policy stances:
- Promises impartiality, discipline and a firm commitment to the rule of law
- Says he intends to apply the law as written, not based on personal views or political preferences
In the news:
- Ken Paxton’s legal crusade against Beto O’Rourke is faltering before an all-Republican appeals court
- Texas AG Ken Paxton again blocked from enforcing reporting rules against Democratic DAs
- Texas Judges Facing Election Draw Paxton’s Ire Over Beto Ruling
Endorsements:
- Gov. Greg Abbott
- The “C” Club of Houston, a group that advocates for conservative policies in Houston
- Texas Alliance for Life
Tom Baker
Democrat
💰 Campaign finance:
- $2,794 cash on hand
💰 Major donors this cycle:
- Self-funded: $25,000 in loans to himself
Experience:
- Texas 3rd Court of Appeals justice from 2019 through 2024
- Longtime attorney in private practice, including as a partner at Baker & Tisdale, PLLC, from 2015-2018
- Assistant Bee County Attorney from 1991 to 1994
- U.S. Naval Reserve, Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 1984 to 1991
- Law degree from University of Houston Law Center in 1983
Political ideology:
Baker was elected to the 3rd Court of Appeals in 2018 amid a Democratic rout of urban judicial districts. He says party affiliation and political philosophy should not impact any ruling before a court.
Policy stances:
Baker was a member of the court that ruled to uphold Harris County’s mask mandate in 2020 and upheld an injunction blocking a ban on the sale of consumable hemp products in Texas in 2023.
Place 3
April Farris
Republican, incumbent
💰 Campaign finance:
- $148,687 cash on hand
💰 Major donors this cycle:
- Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC- $25,000
- Baker Botts Amicus Fund, the political action committee for the Houston-based, international law firm – $5,000
- Valero Energy Corporation PAC – $5,000
Experience:
- 1st Court of Appeals justice from 2021 to 2024
- Practiced appellate litigation as a partner at Yetter Coleman LLP, a Houston-based firm
- Served as an assistant solicitor general at the Texas Solicitor General’s office
- Harvard Law School – 2009
Political ideology:
Farris said she strives to base her rulings off the Texas Constitution and the rule of law. Farris is an honorary board member of Houston’s Christian Legal Society. Farris joined her colleagues on the Republican-controlled court in several rulings that drew criticism by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton last year.
Policy stances:
Says she intends to apply the law as written, not based on personal views or political preferences
In the news:
- Ken Paxton’s legal crusade against Beto O’Rourke is faltering before an all-Republican appeals court
- Texas AG Ken Paxton again blocked from enforcing reporting rules against Democratic DAs
- Texas Judges Facing Election Draw Paxton’s Ire Over Beto Ruling
Endorsements:
- Gov. Greg Abbott
- Texas Oil and Gas Association, a statewide industry trade group
- Texas Civil Justice League PAC, the political arm of an organization that works to make it more difficult to sue private businesses
Marc Meyer
Democrat
💰 Campaign finance:
- $703 cash on hand
💰 Major donors this cycle:
- Meyer loaned himself $500
- Christopher Powell, resident of The Woodlands, marketing at Hewlett Packard Enterprise – $150
- Margaret Kremer, unemployed resident of The Woodlands – $50
- Charlotte Riser, unemployed resident of Magnolia – $25
Experience:
- Managing member of the Law Office of Marc Meyer, PLLC
- Democratic nominee for the 457th District Court in Montgomery County in 2020
- South Texas College of Law 2009
- Captain and paramedic with the Houston Fire Department from 1990 to 2010
- Registered nurse since 1998. Last practiced nursing serving hospice patients from 2021-2022
Political ideology:
Meyer is the former chair of the Montgomery County Democratic Party from 2015-2020. Meyer began to practice law in 2009 after 25 years working in health care. He is Board Certified in Administrative Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Much of his work in private practice centers around defending health care providers in licensing board and malpractice issues.
Policy stances:
Meyer is a local Democratic activist in Montgomery County that previously ran for a district court seat as a Democrat in 2020. He said he “promises impartiality on the bench while recognizing the power of the state needs to be tempered by the rights of individuals”.
Endorsements:
- Bay Area Democratic Movement, a Democratic club based in the greater Clear Lake area
- Victoria County Democratic Party
- Texas AFL-CIO, a statewide federation of trade unions
Disclosure: Texas Civil Justice League and Texas Oil & Gas Association have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
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