Texas Ballot Compare

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Nonpartisan voter guide · Texas

Darlene Byrne

Candidate · November 3, 2026 general election

Darlene Byrne

Darlene Byrne

Democratic Incumbent
On ballot as
Darlene Byrne
Current role
Chief Justice, Third Court of Appeals (elected 2020; in office since January 1, 2021)
Background
  • J.D., magna cum laude, University of Houston Law Center
  • Thirteen years in employment, commercial and governmental entity litigation practice before her 2000 election to the bench
  • Lives in Austin (per campaign)
Experience
  • Presiding judge, 126th Judicial District Court, Travis County, 20 years
  • Past president, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
  • First vice chair, Texas Children’s Commission (appointed by the Texas Supreme Court, 2008)
  • Judge of the Year, Texas ABOTA (2023)
Top priorities
  • She "believes in access to justice for all, regardless of wealth, nationality, gender, race or language" (per campaign)
  • "The doors to the courthouse should be open to all."
  • "time is of the essence when making decisions that impact the lives of real Texans" (per campaign)
Tidbits
  • Judicial philosophy: Campaign site: she "believes in access to justice for all, regardless of wealth, nationality, gender, race or language"
  • Court administration: Campaign site: "time is of the essence when making decisions that impact the lives of real Texans"
Endorsements
None found in our research
Campaign website
justicedarlenebyrne.com