Red wave in Texas appellate courts, two flipped in Democratic strongholds

(The Center Square) – Voters on Tuesday ushered in Republican judges to appellate courts statewide, marking another historic feat in Texas. They also flipped two courts to Republican majorities in historically Democratic strongholds.

Voters in what was a Democratic stronghold in the 1st and 14th Courts of Appeals ousted all incumbent Democratic justices on the ballot. The courts uniquely “have intermediate appellate jurisdiction in both civil and criminal cases appealed from district or county courts,” the Office of Court Administration explains. The courts each have nine justices and hear cases from 10 counties in the Houston area.

Appealed cases from these courts are either heard by the Texas Supreme Court, which rules on civil cases, or the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which rules on criminal cases. Six Republicans on the ballot for Texas’ highest courts won, The Center Square reported.

Of Texas’ 15 appellate courts, each has a chief justice and between 3 and 13 justices that rule on cases; 83 justices serve statewide overall.

Republicans swept races in five courts

In five appellate courts, all Republican justices on the ballot won.

1st Court of Appeals

Voters rejected Democrats, electing all Republicans: Jennifer Caughey, Place 2; Andrew Johnson, Place 6; Clint Morgan, Place 7; Kristin Guiney, Place 8; and Susanna Dokupil, Place 9. Republicans each received roughly 52% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the Texas Secretary of State’s Office.

14th Court of Appeals

Voters also rejected Democrats, electing Republicans: Chad Bridges, Place 3; Tonya McLaughlin, Place 4; Maritza Michele Antu, Place 5; Katy Boatman, Place 6; Brad Hart, Place 8. Republicans won with between 52% and 54% support, according to the unofficial results.

The Republican wins “speak volumes about the strength and resilience of our message,” the Harris County Republican Party said in a statement. “This election already marks a significant achievement for our party. Our competitive edge was evident throughout, our message resonates deeply with voters across Harris County. Last cycle we won four county wide seats, this time we won ten. These results confirm what we’ve known for a long time: Harris County is the largest swing county in the country. … As we look to the future, we are more committed than ever to building on this momentum, ensuring that all of our voices are represented.”

4th Court of Appeals

Voters flipped this court to a Republican majority on Tuesday. Based in the Democratic stronghold of San Antonio, the court hears cases from 32 counties. Of its seven justices, one Republican, Lori Valenzual, won in the last election in Place 7.

On Tuesday, three Republicans won: Todd McCray, Place 3; Lori Massey Brissette, Place 4; and Adrian Spears, Place 5. They won by slightly more than 51% support, according to the data.

5th Court of Appeals

Voters also flipped this court to a Republican majority. Based in the Democratic stronghold of Dallas, the court hears cases from five counties. Republicans won all eight seats up for reelection on Tuesday: Justin Jay Koch (Chief Justice); Jessica Lewis, Place 2; Cynthia Barbare, Place 5; Matthew Kolodoski, Place 9; Earl Jackson, Place 10; Gino Rossini, Place 11; Mike Lee, Place 12; and Emily Miskel, Place 13.

They won by between 50% to 52% of the vote, according to the data.

13th Court of Appeals

All four Republicans on the ballot were elected: Jaime Tijerina (Chief Justice); Jenny Cron, Place 2; Ysmael Fonseca, Place 4; and Jon West, Place 5. Based in the Democratic stronghold of Corpus Christi, the court hears cases from 20 counties stretching to the border. Republicans received between nearly 53% and 58% of the vote, according to the data.

Republican incumbents won in seven appellate courts

In the 2nd, 6th, 7th, 9th, and 12th court of appeals, a total of nine incumbent Republican justices were reelected. Incumbent Republican chief justices in the 10th and 11th court of appeals were also reelected.

There were two exceptions to a Republican sweep. In the 8th Court of Appeals, one Democrat justice was reelected. Based in the Democratic stronghold of El Paso, the court hears cases from 17 counties in far west Texas. In the 3rd Court of Appeals, four Democrat justices were elected. In one race, one Republican barely lost. Based in the Democratic stronghold of Austin, the court hears cases from 23 counties.

A nonpartisan citizen-based movement urged voters to oust incumbent Democratic judges after policies led to criminals being released into communities, creating a crime wave, among other issues, The Center Square reported.

A massive effort to help Republican appellate judges get elected was undertaken by the Judicial Fairness PAC, which reportedly received a $2 million donation from billionaire Elon Musk. Musk, who endorsed President-elect Donald Trump, voted for him in Cameron County, helping to usher in an unprecedented red wave in Texas border counties, The Center Square reported.