Republican elephant and Democratic donkey images. Image: DonkeyHotey/Flickr

It's election season, and Texas Lawyer is publishing Q&As with candidates in contested races for district and appellate court benches in the Lone Star State.

Use this guide to prepare for early voting, from Feb. 18 to Feb. 28, and election day on March 3.

Read more:

Here's a List of Every Republican Lawyer Running for Appellate or District Judge in the Texas Primary

206 Texas Democrats Are Vying for Judgeships in the March Election

Texas Supreme Court building in Austin, Texas. Photo: Angela Morris/ALM

High Courts

Who Will Win the Texas Supreme Court Bench? Meet the Candidates

Amy Clark Meachum, Jerry Zimmerer, Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, Larry Praeger, Kathy Cheng, Justice Jane Bland, Staci Williams, Brandy Voss, Gisela D. Triana, Peter Kelly and Justice Brett Busby are Republican and Democratic candidates in contested primary races for the Texas Supreme Court.

Meet the Candidates Running for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Elizabeth Davis Frizell, William Pieratt Demond and Dan Wood are competing in the Democratic primary for Place 3 judge, while Tina Clinton and Steven Miears are Democrats competing for Place 4 judge. Meanwhile, candidates for Place 9 judge are running in uncontested races in both the Republican and Democratic primaries, which means they will face each other in the November general election.

Intermediate Appellate Courts

Meet the Candidates: Texas First Court of Appeals

In the Democratic primary, Jim Sharp, Dinesh Singhal and Veronica Rivas-Molloy are competing in the race for Justice, Place 3. In the race for Justice, Place 5, Democrats Amparo Monique Guerra and Tim Hootman are competing in their primary, while Terry Adams, Chad Bridges, James Lombardino and Levi J. Benton are competing in the Republican primary.

Elizabeth Beach, Brian Walker, John Chupp Vying for Fort Worth's 2nd Court of Appeals 

In the Republican primary, Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Beach, 141st District Judge John P. Chupp and trial and appellate lawyer Brian Walker are candidates running in contested primary races for the Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth. They are competing in the race for justice, Place 7. Whoever wins will become the sole candidate for the bench, since no one is running on the Democratic side.

Democrats Darlene Byrne and Keith Hampton Vie for Austin Appeals Court's Top Job

In the Democratic primary, 126th Judicial District Court Judge Darlene Byrne and Austin criminal defense attorney Keith Hampton are competing in the race for chief justice of the Third Court of Appeals in Austin. Whoever wins will compete in the November general election against Republican candidate and incumbent Chief Justice Jeff Rose.

Republican Voters Will Select Texas' Next 7th Court of Appeals Judge

In the Republican primary, Seventh Court of Appeals Justice Larry Doss and criminal and appellate attorney Steven Denny are campaigning for a seat on the Seventh Court of Appeals in Amarillo, Texas. The two candidates are in the race for Justice, Place 4. Whoever wins the primary will also win the November general election, because there is no Democratic challenger.

Meet the Primary Candidates for 8th Court Chief: Angie Juarez Barill, Yvonne Rodriguez

District Judge Angie Juarez Barill and Eighth Court of Appeals Justice Yvonne Rodriguez are competing in the race for chief justice of the Eighth Court of Appeals in El Paso. The winner is set to compete in the November general election against incumbent Chief Justice Jeff Alley, who was appointed in October 2019 and is running unopposed in the Republican primary.

Republicans Frank Hunold, Bruce Williams Campaign for Texas' 11th Court of Appeals

In the Republican primary, Odessa litigator Frank Hunold and civil trial lawyer Bruce Williams are candidates competing in the race for Justice, Place 2, on the 11th Court of Appeals in Eastland. Because there are no Democratic contenders, the winner will replace Justice Mike Willson, who declined to seek reelection.

Here are the Candidates Running for Judge in Texas' 14th Court of Appeals

In the Democratic primary, Jim Evans and Jane Robinson are competing in the race for chief justice. In the Democratic primary, six candidates are competing in the race for Justice, Place 7.

Downtown Houston. Photo: f11photo/Shutterstock.com

Houston

Democrats Natalia Cornelio, Judge George Powell Compete for 351st District Court

Incumbent Judge George Powell and Natalia "Nata" Cornelio, director of legal affairs for Harris County Commissioner Precinct One, are competing in the race for the 351st District Court in Houston. The pair is set to face off in the Democratic primary. It was a long road for Powell, who won an appellate victory to get his name on the ballot for the Democratic primary. In November, the winner will meet Arlene Hecht, who is running unopposed in the Republican primary.

Grant J. Harvey, Alexandra Smoots-Thomas, Cheryl Elliott Thornton Seek Election to Harris County 164th District Court

Texas trial and appellate litigator Grant J. Harvey, incumbent Judge Alexandra Smoots-Thomas and Senior Assistant County Attorney Cheryl Elliott Thornton are competing in the Democratic primary to become judge of the 164th District Court in Harris County. The winner is set to compete in the November general election against Michael Landrum, a mediator, arbitrator and former judge. Landrum is running unopposed in the Republican primary.

Democrats Jimmie L. Brown Jr., Megan Daic, Ursula A. Hall Run for Judge of 165th District Court

Houston solo practitioner Jimmie L. Brown Jr., civil litigator Megan Daic and incumbent Judge Ursula A. Hall are competing in the Democratic primary election for the 165th District Court in Harris County, Texas. The winner is set to compete in the November general election against civil trial lawyer Bruce Bain, managing shareholder in Bain & Bain and former a shareholder in Soape, Brown, McDermott. Bain is running unopposed in the Republican primary.

Bryan Acklin, Judge Nikita Harmon Are Candidates for Houston's 176th District Court

Houston criminal defense attorney Bryan Acklin and incumbent Judge Nikita "Niki" Harmon are competing in the race for Texas' 176th District Court in the Democratic primary. There are no candidates running for the bench in the Republican primary.

Meet Ana Martinez and Randy Roll: Candidates for Judge of the 179th District Court

Criminal defense attorney Ana Martinez and incumbent Judge Randy Roll are competing in the race for Texas' 179th District Court in the Democratic primary. There is no Republican candidate running for the bench in that race, so the winner is set to rise to the bench.

Daryl Moore and Brittanye Morris Want Your Vote for 333rd District Judge

Incumbent Judge Daryl Moore and Houston real estate lawyer Brittanye Morris are competing in the race for the 333rd District Court in Houston. The winner is set to rise to the bench, and become judge, because there is no opposition candidate running in the Republican primary.

339th District Court Has 3 Candidates Seeking Democratic Nomination

In the Democratic primary, public defender Te'iva Bell, Houston attorney Dennis Powell and Candance White, Houston regional director for Child Protective Services, are competing in the race for 339th District Court in Houston. Whoever wins will run in the November general election against incumbent Judge Jesse McClure, who is unopposed in the Republican primary.

Meet the 3 'D' Candidates for Houston's 507th District Court: Julia Maldonado, Sonny Phillips and Robert Morales

Incumbent Judge Julia Maldonado, Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program supervising attorney Robert S. Morales and trial and appellate litigator CC "Sonny" Phillips are competing in the race for 507th District Court in Houston. The winner is set to run in the November general election against mediator and Associate Judge Alyssa Lemkuil, who is unopposed in the Republican primary.

With Democratic or Republican Opponents, This Houston Judge Wins Reelection

Incumbent Judge Kristen Hawkins of the 11th District Court in Houston has no opponent in the Democratic primary election. And no one is running against her on the Republican side either. This means Hawkins has already won her reelection. Get to know the judge by reading her election questionnaire from Texas Lawyer, as part of its coverage of candidates seeking seats on district and appellate court benches.

Meet Jeralynn Manor and Larry Weiman: Candidates for Houston's 80th District Court

Houston attorney Jeralynn Manor and incumbent Judge Larry Weiman are competing in the race to become judge of Texas' 80th District Court. The two are in the Democratic primary, while no one is running for the seat on the Republican side. Read Q&As with Manor and Weiman, and meet other candidates competing in contested races for district court and appellate court benches in the Lone Star State.

In Crowded Race, 4 Democrats Want to Become Judge of Houston's 337th District Court

Criminal defense attorney John A. Clark, general practice lawyer Brennen Dunn, criminal defense lawyer Colleen Gaido and Houston solo practitioner David C. Vuong are competing in the race for the 337th District Court in Houston.

Steven Kirkland, Dawn Deshea Rogers Eye Democratic Nomination for 334th District Court

Incumbent Judge Steven Kirkland and Houston attorney Dawn Deshea Rogers are competing in the race for judge of Houston's 334th District Court. Whoever wins will compete in the November general election against Dan Lemkuil, who is unopposed in his primary. Read their Q&As to prepare for early voting, which runs from Feb. 18 to Feb. 28. Election day is March 3.

Dallas, Texas. Photo: f11photo/Shutterstock.com

Dallas-Fort Worth

Alison Grinter Allen, Teresa Jan Hawthorne, Audra Ladawn Riley Are Candidates for District Judge

Criminal defense attorney Alison Grinter Allen, former Judge Teresa Jan Hawthorne and criminal defense lawyer Audra Ladawn Riley are competing in the Democrat primary election to see who'll win the race for Dallas County Criminal District Judge No. 3. The winner is set to rise to the bench, as she'll have no opponent in the November general election, because no one is running for the seat in the Republican primary.

Dems Marilynn Mayse, Maricela Moore Seek Nomination; Winner Faces Jordan Montgomery Lewis

Dallas solo practitioner Marilynn Mayse and incumbent Judge Maricela Moore are competing in the race for the 162nd District Court. The winner is set to compete in the November general election against Dallas attorney Jordan Montgomery Lewis, who is unopposed in the Republican primary. Read the responses of the candidates in the contested races to prepare for early voting, which runs from Feb. 18 to Feb. 28, and for election day on March 3.

3 Republicans Eye Fort Worth's 96th District Court Bench

Fort Worth trial lawyer Pat Gallagher, former Associate Judge Shane Nolen and Chris Taylor, an assistant district attorney in Tarrant County, are competing in the race for the 96th District Court in Fort Worth.

3 Dems Race for Dallas' 254th District Court; Winner Will Face Judge Ashley Wysocki 

Family law attorney Kim Brown, family law lawyer Sandre Streete Moncriffe and family and criminal law attorney Marty Jo Taylor are competing in the race for judge of the 254th District Court. Whoever wins will compete in the November general election against incumbent Judge Ashley Wysocki, who is unopposed in the Republican primary.

San Antonio, Texas. Photo: Jo Ann Snover/Shutterstock.com

San Antonio

Frank J. Castro and Gabe Quintanilla are Candidates for San Antonio Judgeship

In the Democratic primary, incumbent judge Frank J. Castro and Assistant District Attorney Gabe Quintanilla are competing in the race for the 399th District Court in Bexar County. Whoever wins will compete in the November general election against Walden Shelton, who is unopposed in the Republican primary. The winner will rise to the bench, gaining a San Antonio judgeship. Here's what they had to say in Texas Lawyer's Q&A with candidates seeking to become judge.

Michael Mery, Nicole Garza: 2 Dems Vying for Judge of San Antonio's 37th District Court

San Antonio attorney Nicole Garza and incumbent Judge Michael Mery are competing in the race for the 37th District Court. Whoever wins will compete in the November general election against Joseph Appelt, who is unopposed in the Republican primary.

407th District Court in San Antonio Has 2 Democrats Campaigning to Be Judge

In the Democratic primary, San Antonio family law attorney Maribel Cruz and San Antonio litigator Tina Torres are competing in the race for 407th District Court in San Antonio. Whoever wins will compete in the November general election against Stephani Walsh, who is unopposed in the Republican primary.

Arcelia Treviño, Jacqueline 'Jackie' Valdés Seek Vote for San Antonio's 386th District Court

Whoever wins the Democratic primary will compete in the November general election against Daphne Previti Austin, who is unopposed in the Republican race.

Austin, Texas. (Photo: RoschetzkyProductions/Shutterstock.com)

Austin

353rd District Judge Tim Sulak Draws Challenger: Austin Attorney Madeleine Connor

It'll come down to Madeleine Connor, general counsel of the Texas Veterans Commission, against incumbent Judge Tim Sulak in the race for the 353rd District Court seat in Austin. The two are competing for the Democratic nomination, but the stakes are especially high: The winner is set to become judge, because no candidate has filed for the Republican primary. Early voting runs from Feb. 18 to Feb. 28, and election day is March 3.

2 Lawyers Battle for Austin's 53rd District Court: Maria Cantú Hexsel and Kennon Wooten

Meet the candidates running in the contested primary race for Texas' 53rd District Court in Austin. Civil litigator Maria Cantú Hexsel and Kennon Wooten, a partner in Scott Douglass & McConnico in Austin, are Democrats competing to rise to the bench. No one is running for the seat in the Republican primary, so Cantú Hexsel or Wooten is set to rise to public office. Read their profiles to prepare for early voting, beginning Feb. 18, and election day on March 3.

2 Dems Run for Judge of Austin's 390th District Court: Albert Amado and Julie Kocurek

It's election season, and Texas Lawyer is publishing Q&As with candidates in contested races for district and appellate court benches in the Lone Star State. Meet Austin legal consultant Albert Amado and incumbent Judge Julie Kocurek, who are competing in the race for the 390th District Court of Travis County. The winner is set to clinch the seat, as no one filed to run for that bench in the Republican primary.

Meet Selena Alvarenga and Amy Meredith: 2 Democrats Who Want to Be Judge in Austin

The winner of the election contest between Austin criminal defense attorney Selena Alvarenga and Travis County Assistant District Attorney Amy Meredith will compete in the November general election against Geoffrey Puryear, who is unopposed in the Republican primary. The three candidates hope to become judge of Austin's 460th District Court, with Alvarenga and Meredith opposing each other in the Democratic primary election. Early voting begins Feb. 18.

Jessica Mangrum, Maggie Ellis Are Running for Judge of Austin's 200th District Court 

Juvenile law practitioner Maggie Ellis and Jessica Mangrum, a partner in Thompson Coe in Austin, are competing in the race for the 200th District Court in Austin.

Candidates Dayna Blazey, David Wahlberg Run for Judge of Austin's 167th District Court 

A county assistant district attorney and incumbent judge are competing in the Democratic primary election.

McKinney

3 Republicans Want to Be 401st District Judge: Sarah Fox, Brook Fulks, George Flint

Meet Sarah Fox, Brook Fulks and George Flint. The three candidates are challenging each other in the Republican primary election. Flint is a partner at Scheef & Stone. Fox practices criminal defense law, and Fulks is a family law attorney. The winner will compete in the November general election against unopposed Democratic candidate Tonya Holt, a corporate attorney. Read their Q&As before the start of early voting on Feb. 18.

Judge, Lawyer Are Candidates for McKinney's 380th District Court 

An attorney and jurist are the candidates in the contested primary race for Collin County's 380th District Court. Incumbent Judge Ben Smith and Plano lawyer Melvin Thathiah will face off. Whoever wins will compete in the November general election against unopposed Democratic candidate Penny Robe.

El Paso

Paty Baca, Ruben Nunez: 2 Democrats Run for Judge of 346th District Court in El Paso

El Paso voters have a choice of two Democrats for judge of the 346th District Court. No candidate filed to run in the Republican primary, so the race comes down to Assistant District Attorney Paty Baca and El Paso solo practitioner Ruben Nunez. See what the candidates have to say, and use Texas Lawyer's 2020 election guide to get to know others seeking judgeships across the Lone Star State.

3 Dems Compete to See Who'll Face Republican Candidate for Texas' 383rd District Court

In the Democratic primary, El Paso family law attorney Patrick Bramblett, Assistant County Attorney Lucila Flores and El Paso solo practitioner Lyda Ness Garcia are competing in the race for the 383rd District Court in El Paso. Whoever wins will compete in the November general election against Phyllis Martinez Gonzalez, who is unopposed in the Republican primary. Read their Q&As as part of Texas Lawyer's 2020 election guide.

Meet the 2 Candidates Running for a Seat on the El Paso County Criminal Bench

Deputy Public Defender Octavio A. Dominguez is challenging incumbent Judge Diane Rosaura Navarrete in the Democratic primary in Texas. The two are competing in the race for Criminal District Court No. 1 in El Paso. No one is running for the bench in the Republican primary. Use Texas Lawyer's 2020 election guide to get to know Dominguez, Navarrete and other candidates in judicial races across the state.

Sergio H. Enriquez and Abe Gonzalez: 2 Democrats Run for 448th District Court

It's election season, and Texas Lawyer is publishing Q&As with candidates in contested races for district and appellate court benches in the Lone Star State. Meet incumbent Judge Sergio H. Enriquez and Abe Gonzalez, a partner in Kemp Smith in El Paso. They are competing in the race for the 448th District Court in El Paso during the Democratic primary election. No one is running for the seat in the Republican primary.

Marlene Gonzalez, Ricardo 'Rick' Rios and Laura Strathmann Running for Judge

In the Democratic primary, El Paso solo practitioner Marlene Gonzalez, Ricardo "Rick" Rios of The Law offices of Rios & Parada in El Paso, and incumbent Judge Laura Strathmann are competing in the race for the 388th District Court in El Paso. On the Republican side, no one is running for the bench. Early voting runs from Feb. 18 to Feb. 28, and election day is March 3.

Richmond

Attorneys Janet Buening Heppard and Jamie Zand Vie for 387th District Court

Janet Buening Heppard, a professor and clinical education director at the University of Houston Law Center, and Richmond family law attorney Jamie Zand are competing in the Democratic primary election for the 387th District Court in Richmond. Whoever wins will compete in the November general election against incumbent Judge Brenda Mullinix, who is unopposed in the Republican primary. Use Texas Lawyer's election guide to get to know these and other candidates running for judge.

2 Lawyers Want the Vote for 400th District Court: Tameika Carter and Derek Obialo

Richmond solo practitioner Derek Obialo.

Assistant District Attorney Tameika Carter and Richmond solo practitioner Derek Obialo are competing in the race for the 400th District Court in Richmond. Whoever wins will compete in the November general election against incumbent Judge Maggie Jaramillo, who is unopposed in the Republican primary. Get to know them, as Texas Lawyer publishes Q&As with candidates in contested races for district and appellate court benches in the Lone Star State.

Meet the 3 Democrats Seeking Judgeship in Richmond's 505th District Court

Family law attorneys Daniel Lee and Kali Morgan, and Richmond trial and appellate litigator Surendran K. Pattel are competing in the Democratic primary election for the 505th District Court in Richmond. Whoever wins will compete in the November general election against incumbent Republican Judge David S. Perwin, who is unopposed in his primary. Get to know them before early voting commences on Feb. 18.

Christian Becerra, Oscar M. Telfair Look to Unseat Richmond Judge James Shoemake

Christian Becerra of Becerra and Colgin and Houston solo practitioner Oscar M. Telfair III are competing in the Democratic primary election for Texas' 434th District Court. Whoever wins will compete in the November general election against incumbent Judge James H. "Jim" Shoemake. Read their profiles before early voting starts on Feb. 18. And get to know other candidates in contested races for district and appellate court benches.

Bastrop

Months Before the Vote, This Bastrop Judge Has Won Reelection

The bench where he's presided since 2009 will be Judge Chris Duggan's once again.

Who's Vying to Unseat 335th District Judge Reva L. Towslee Corbett? Charles W. Carver

Use Texas Lawyer's Q&As as a cheat sheet on the 2020 judicial election, and to meet candidates in contested races for district and appellate court benches in the Lone Star State. In the Republican primary for the 335th District Court, Charles W. Carver, a Bastrop associate municipal judge, and incumbent Judge Reva L. Towslee Corbett are competing in the race . No one is running for the bench on the Democratic side.

Corpus Christi

No Primary, No Election: Judge Inna Klein Has Already Won Her Corpus Christi Bench

Because she's unopposed in her primary and the general election, 214th District Judge Inna Klein of Corpus Christi has already won reelection to her bench. Klein was a municipal court judge in Corpus Christi for about four years, and assistant district attorney for Nueces County for six years.

Judge Missy Medary Draws Republican Primary Challenger, Guy Williams, in Nueces

Early voting runs from Feb. 18 to Feb. 28, and election day is March 3. Here are the candidates running in the contested primary race for Corpus Christi's 347th District Court in Nueces County. Incumbent Judge Missy Medary and Guy Williams, a former district judge, are competing in the Republican primary. Whoever wins will compete in the November general election against Deborah Rios, who is unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Brownsville

3 Candidates Face Off to Become Judge of Brownsville's 138th District Court

Garza & Garza partner Myles R. Garza is running against Brownsville solo practitioners Helen Delgadillo and Gabriela Garcia to become judge of Texas' 138th District Court. The one who gets enough votes to win the Democratic nomination will also likely become judge, as no one is running for the bench in the Republican primary.

These 2 Democrats Want to Win the Vote for Texas' 404th District Court in Brownsville

The Democratic primary election features Brownsville solo practitioner Ricardo M. Adobbati and Louis Sorola, an associate judge in Cameron County, competing in the race for Texas' 404th District Court. On the Republican side, no one is running for the bench. Read Texas Lawyer's 2020 election guide to get to know the candidates in contested races for district and appellate court benches in the Lone Star State.

Lubbock

4 Run for Judge of Lubbock's 99th District Court: Kara Darnell, John Grace, Phillip Hays, Mark McBrayer

Republican contenders Kara L. Darnell, associate judge of the South Plains Foster Care Court, Lubbock Assistant City Attorney John Grace, former County Court-at-Law Judge Phillip Hays and Mark McBrayer of Crenshaw Dupree & Milam in Lubbock are competing in the Republican primary election for judge of the 99th District Court in Lubbock. The successful candidate is set to rise to the bench, as no one is running for the seat in the Democratic primary.

With No Democrat in Race, a Republican Is Likely to Become Judge of Texas' 140th District Court

As no contenders are running in the Democratic primary, the next judge of Texas' 140th District Court is likely to be a Republican. Assistant District Attorney Tom Brummett, Douglas H. Freitag, Ryan C. Gentry of McGowan & McGowan in Lubbock, and criminal defense attorney Robert Sullivan are competing for the seat. Read Texas Lawyer's election guide to get to know these candidates and others seeking judicial office in races across the state.

Midland-Odessa

Election Hasn't Started, But Attorney Justin Low Has Already Won Odessa Judgeship

Justin Low was initially competing against Glen Halsell in the Republican primary election for the 161st District Court in Odessa. No one was running in the Democratic primary. Halsell wrote in an email that he dropped out of the race, which means Low will win by default. Read up on the incoming judges and candidates looking to rise to district and appellate court benches across Texas.

3 Republican Lawyers Want to Be Judges of Midland's 142nd District Court

One of these Republican candidates is set to become judge of Texas' 142nd District Court in Midland, because no one is running for the bench in the Democratic primary. Mary Baker, of counsel with Lynch Chappell & Alsup, is competing against solo practitioner Wayne Frost and David G. Rogers, a partner in Fivecoat & Rogers. Read their Q&As before early voting, beginning Feb. 18, or election day on March 3.

Photo: Freedom Studio/Shutterstock.com

Across Texas

Congrats, Judge Mike Smith: Republican Wins Judicial Race Months Before Election

Mike Smith, an associate at the Haynes Law Firm in Brownwood, will assume the bench in 2021 to replace current 35th District Judge Steve Ellis, who did not seek reelection.

Jennifer Habert and Lina Trevino Are Campaigning for Texas' 50th District Court

In the Republican primary, 50th Judicial District District Attorney Jennifer A. Habert and Knox County attorney Lina R. Trevino are competing in the race for the 50th District Court in Seymour. No one is running on the Democratic side for the bench, so either Habert or Trevino is set to rise to become judge. Read the candidates' Q&A, and use the Texas Lawyer judicial election guide to prepare for early voting, from Feb. 18 to Feb. 28, and election day on March 3.

402nd District Judge Jeff Fletcher Drew Republican Challenger, J. Brad McCampbell

In the Republican primary, incumbent Judge Jeff Fletcher and J. Brad McCampbell, a partner in Curtis, Alexander, McCampbell & Morris in Emory, are competing in the race for judge of the 402nd District Court in Quitman. On the Democratic side, no one is running for the bench, so the successful candidate in the Republican race is set to win the seat. Get to know the candidates as part of Texas Lawyer's coverage of contested races for district and appellate court benches in the Lone Star State.

Attorneys Run 3-Way Republican Race for Judge of Tyler's 114th District Court

Criminal defense lawyer Mitch Adams, solo practitioner Austin Reeve Jackson and Jarad Kent, a partner in Chamblee Ryan, are competing in the Republican primary election for the 114th District Court in Tyler. On the Democratic side, no one is running for the bench. This means that the victor in the Republican race will likely win public office.

4 Lawyers Want the 19th District Court Bench in Waco

Waco Assistant City Attorney Kristi DeCluitt, Michael Flynn, an attorney in the Law Office of Whitney E. Fanning, criminal defense attorney Susan Kelly and Thomas West, a partner at Dunnam & Dunnam, are competing in the Republican primary for the 19th District Court in Waco. No one is running for the position on the Democratic side, so the winner is set to become judge. Read their Q&As, and use Texas Lawyer's election guide to get to know the judicial candidates.

4-Way Race for Republicans Seeking 431st District Court Nomination

In the Republican primary, Cannon Cain, judge advocate for the Texas Army National Guard, and Denton solo practitioners Jim Johnson, Derbha Jones and George Mitcham are competing in the race for 431st District Court in Denton. Whoever wins will compete in the November general election against Diana Weitzel, who is unopposed in the Democratic primary. Early voting runs from Feb. 18 to Feb. 28, and election day is March 3.

Cariann Bradford, Shelton Gibbs, Chad Johnson Run for Judge of Texas' 422nd District Court

Solo practitioner Cariann Bradford, attorney Shelton Gibbs IV and civil litigator Chad Johnson of Forney are competing in the race for the 422nd District Court in Kaufman. The winner is set to become judge, because no one is running for the bench in the Democratic primary. See their Q&As, and use this Texas Lawyer election guide to read up on candidates running for judge in contested races.

18th District Judge Sydney B. Hewlett Faces Primary Challenger, Brent A. Huffman

Texas Lawyer is publishing Q&As with candidates in contested races for district and appellate court benches in the Lone Star State. In the Republican primary, incumbent Judge Sydney B. Hewlett and Assistant District Attorney Brent A. Huffman are competing in the race for the 18th District Court in Cleburne. On the Democratic side, no one is running for the bench, so Huffman or Hewlett is likely to win public office.

Gainesville Lawyer Kyle Kemp Aims to Unseat 235th District Judge Janelle M. Haverkamp

Incumbent Judge Janelle M. Haverkamp and Gainesville attorney Kyle Kemp are competing in the Republican primary for the 235th District Court in Gainesville. On the Democratic side, no one is running for the bench. Read their profiles and Q&As with other candidates in contested races for district and appellate court benches in the Lone Star State. Early voting commences Feb. 18, and election day is March 3.

On the Campaign Trail: Kaycee L. Jones, John Wells Running for Judge in Polk County

Incumbent Judge Kaycee L. Jones and Livingston attorney John Wells are competing in the Republican primary election to become judge of the 411th District Court in Polk County. The winner is likely to rise to the bench, as no candidate is running in the Democratic primary. Read about their campaigns in their own words, and use this Texas Lawyer election guide to get to know the candidates before early voting starts on Feb. 18.

433rd District Judge Wayne Waldrip Draws Republican Challenger, Charles Sullivan

Charles Sullivan, managing partner in Jones Sullivan in Canyon Lake, and incumbent Judge Wayne Waldrip face off in the Republican primary election for the 433rd District Court in New Braunfels. No one is running for the seat in the Democratic primary. Prepare for voting in the 2020 election by reading Texas Lawyer's Q&As with candidates in contested races for district and appellate court benches.

76th District Court Has 2 Candidates: Lance W. Hinson and Angela Hammonds Saucier

Mount Pleasant attorney Lance W. Hinson and incumbent Judge Angela Hammonds Saucier are on the campaign trail in a race to become judge of Texas' 76th District Court. The pair is running in the Republican primary, with no one running for the bench on the Democratic side. Read Texas Lawyer's election guide to get to know the candidates before early voting begins on Feb. 18.

Michael Catt, Rex Wayne Peveto Compete for Judge of 163rd District Court in Orange

Orange solo practitioner Michael Catt and Orange lawyer Rex Wayne Peveto are competing in the race for judge of the 163rd District Court in Orange. The winner of their Republican primary election is likely to rise to the bench, as no one is running for the seat on the Democratic side. Here's what they have to say in their own words about their vision for the court.

2 Republicans Want to Be Judge in Seguin: Bill Old and Jacqueline Phillips Ott

In the Republican primary, incumbent Judge Bill Old and McQueeny lawyer Jacqueline Phillips Ott are competing in the race for the 25th District Court in Seguin. No one is running for the bench in the Democratic primary. Use Texas Lawyer's guide to the 2020 judicial election to get to know these and other candidates in contested races for district and appellate court benches across the state.

3 Republicans Run for Judge in Abilene: Blake Norvell, Jeff Propst and Kevin Willhelm

In the Republican primary, Abilene attorney Blake Norvell, criminal defense lawyer Jeff Propst and trial lawyer Kevin Willhelm are competing in the race for the 104th District Court. No one is running for the bench in the Democratic primary. Get to know the candidates, and use Texas Lawyer's comprehensive election guide to read up on others running in contested races for district and appellate court benches in the Lone Star State.

2 College Station Lawyers—John Brick and George J. Wise—Want This Judicial Bench

Brazos County Assistant District Attorney John Brick and George J. Wise, senior litigation attorney at Daniel Stark in Bryan, are competing in the Republican primary election for Texas' 272nd District Court in Brazos County. There is no Democratic candidate for the bench. Early voting runs from Feb. 18 to Feb. 28, and election day is March 3. Read their Q&As to learn more about Brick and Wise.

Bill Miller, Monty Murry Face Off in Race for Judge of Texas' 5th District Court

Incumbent Judge Bill Miller and Texarkana attorney Monty Murry are competing in the race for Texas' 5th District Court in New Boston. The successful candidate in the Republican primary election is also set to win the bench, as no one is running for the seat on the Democratic side. Texas Lawyer sent questionnaires to Miller, Murry and all other candidates in contested races for district and appellate court benches in the Lone Star State. Read their answers.

2 Lawyers Run for Judge of Texas' 63rd District Court: Roland Andrade and Todd A. Durden

Here are candidates running in the contested primary race for the 63rd District Court, which serves multiple rural Texas counties. In the Republican primary, First Assistant District Attorney Roland Andrade and Kinney County attorney Todd A. "Tadeo" Durden are competing. The winner will advance to the November general election against F. David Ortiz, who is unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Steve Duskie, Wade Faulkner, Jeff Parker Run for Judge of Texas' 426th District Court

Here are the candidates running in the contested primary race for the 426th District Court in Bell County.  The winner is set to rise to the bench, because no one is running for the bench on the Democratic side.

Other Election News

Public Doesn't Support Stripping Vote for Texas Judges, Lt. Gov. Says

"Texans feel strongly about voting for their judges. The commission will need to make a compelling argument to the people and legislators to change the current system. I do not believe that support exists today," Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said.

Forget the 'R' and 'D': Commission Wants No More Politics in Selecting Texas Judges

Data show there's a trend of judges leaving office voluntarily because they do not want to weather another election process.

Chief Justice's Election Bid Puts Spotlight on Texas' Mandatory Judicial Retirement

Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht in 2024 will turn 75 years old, which is the age limit for justices in Texas. It means he'll have to retire in the fourth year of the six-year term for which he's currently running for reelection.