Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9

John Messinger

Republican

On ballot as: JOHN MESSINGER
Current role: Assistant State Prosecuting Attorney
Background: B.S. and M.S. in Business,
Baylor Law School
Experience: Appellate prosecutor, McLennan County District Attorney's Office;
Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney
Top priorities: "Justice Through Law Enforcement": "enforcing the laws as written to find out what works and what doesn't"
Says the court's average time to review a lower court decision "increased to over 500 days"
Says many recent court opinions "ignore or conflict with applicable law, its own decisions, or both"
Tidbits: Judicial philosophy: Campaign site: says improving the justice system comes from "enforcing the laws as written", not from "judges doing whatever they think is right in their own eyes"
Endorsements: True Texas Project
Young Conservatives of Texas
Houston Police Officers' Union
Texas Home School Coalition
Numerous Republican Officials and Conservative Organizations – too many to list (see website)
Campaign website: messingerforjustice.com

Democratic

On ballot as: HOLLY TAYLOR
Current role: Principal attorney, Holly Taylor Law
Background: B.A., Rice University
Law degree and Master of Public Affairs, University of Texas
Board certified in criminal appellate law
Experience: Over 17 years as a Travis County prosecutor,
Staff attorney and Rules Attorney, Court of Criminal Appeals.
Top priorities: "Bring an independent voice to the Court of Criminal Appeals to ensure that cases receive a fair and thorough review"
Decisions "grounded in the Constitution and the Rule of Law"
"Treating everyone with dignity and humanity"
Tidbits: Research pending
Endorsements: Texas AFL-CIO COPE
Numerous Democrat Officials and Liberal Organizations – too many to list (see website)
Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus
Campaign website: hollytforjudge.com