What happened: Voters in Texas ushered in a historic shift, electing Republican judges statewide and flipping appellate courts in traditionally Democratic strongholds.

Remind me: Texas has 15 appellate courts with a total of 83 justices. 

• Every six years, majorities on the urban courts are up for election. 2024 was one such year and the next will be 2030.
• Republicans won all seats up for election on the 1st, 4th, 5th, 13th and 14th Courts of Appeals, securing majorities in regions of the state that are otherwise regarded as Democrat strongholds–Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and South Texas.

Worth noting: Because the Texas Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals hear a limited number of cases each year, the intermediate appellate courts are the final stop for some of the most consequential issues in our state.

TLR Thoughts: The 2024 judicial election results mark a historic shift in Texas appellate courts. TLR’s sister organization, Judicial Fairness PAC, played a strong role in helping educate voters about these important races. These victories signal a strong demand for rule-of-law judges committed to Texas values, safeguarding public safety and ensuring accountability across the state’s judiciary.

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