Chief Justice, 15th Court of Appeals District

Scott Brister

Republican Incumbent

On ballot as: SCOTT BRISTER
Current role: Chief Justice, Fifteenth Court of Appeals (the court's first; since September 1, 2024; appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott)
Background: J.D. with honors, Harvard Law School (1980)
Undergraduate degree with highest honors, Duke University (1977)
Board-certified in civil appellate law, civil trial law and personal injury trial law
Waco native
Experience: Texas Supreme Court (2003–09)
Justice and Chief Justice, First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals (2001–03)
Presiding Judge, 234th District Court, Harris County (1989–2000)
Later partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Top priorities: "every party deserves an impartial judge who applies the law, not personal beliefs or political preferences"
"follow the law as written, respect the Constitution, and issue clear, reasoned decisions"
"Judges are not lawmakers."
"apply the law faithfully and efficiently"
Tidbits: Judicial philosophy: Campaign site: "follow the law as written, respect the Constitution, and issue clear, reasoned decisions that stand the test of time"
Court administration: No public statement found
Endorsements: Gov. Greg Abbott
State Rep. Pat Curry
Texas Alliance for Life
Texas Civil Justice League PAC
Campaign website: justicescottbrister.com

Democratic

On ballot as: JERRY ZIMMERER
Current role: Visiting judge, court-appointed mediator and arbitrator since leaving the bench (per his candidate questionnaire)
Background: J.D., South Texas College of Law Houston (1984)
LL.M. degrees in International and Health Law, University of Houston
B.A., Houston Baptist University
Experience: Justice, 14th Court of Appeals in Houston, Place 3 (2019–2024; elected 2018)
Earlier ran Zimmerer & Associates, a Houston civil litigation practice
Technology roles, AT&T Mobility (12 years)
Top priorities: "ruling strictly on the law and the facts without fear or favor"
As Chief Justice, serve as a "'Chief Educator' using technology to demystify our courts"
Be "personally accessible through an annual State of the Judiciary address and direct community dialogue"
Running so the court "answers to the law, and to the voters" (per campaign)
Tidbits: Judicial philosophy: In an El Paso Times questionnaire: "I call cases exactly as I see them, ruling strictly on the law and the facts without fear or favor."
Court administration: In an El Paso Times questionnaire: "I believe court leaders should deliver annual updates on court operations, docket statistics, and administrative milestones."
Endorsements: Bay Area Democratic Movement
Victoria County Democratic Party
Panhandle Democrats
Texas AFL-CIO
Campaign website: jerryzimmerer.com