The Ballot Brief
Texas › Bell County › Killeen

Killeen, Texas sample ballot 2026

Killeen voters (Bell County, Texas) see U.S. Senate, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General plus 17 Bell County races on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Your U.S. House district and any precinct-level races depend on your street address.

On every Killeen ballot

JudgeDavid Blackburn (R)

David Blackburn Republican

Blackburn previously served as Temple's city manager and held city manager, assistant city manager and city attorney roles in Killeen, plus city attorney posts in Texarkana and Plainview, before becoming County Judge. He holds a bachelor's degree from Hardin-Simmons University and a law degree from St. Mary's University School of Law, per the county's official biography. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.

ClerkShelley Coston (R)

Shelley Coston Republican

Shelley Coston is the incumbent Bell County Clerk, in office since 2007 as the first Republican elected to the post. Under her tenure the office made more than 5 million county records electronically accessible and added e-filing and e-recording, per the Killeen Daily Herald. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.

TreasurerAdriane Hodges (R)

Adriane Hodges Republican

Top priorities
  • Modernize the Treasurer's office payment collection with online options
  • Manage county investments through a passive, low-cost strategy

Per the campaign site.

About Adriane Hodges

Adriane Hodges is running for Bell County Treasurer in Texas. She co-owns Bold Republic Brewing and has served as treasurer for several community organizations, including the Belton Area Chamber of Commerce, per her campaign site. She previously worked as a public school teacher, per her campaign site.

County Court at Law No. 1Paul Motz (R)

Paul Motz Republican

Paul Motz currently serves as judge of Bell County Court at Law No. 1, per the county's official website. Paul Motz appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Bell County Court at Law No. 1, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.

County Court at Law No. 2John Mischtian (R)

John Mischtian Republican

John Mischtian currently serves as judge of Bell County Court at Law No. 2, per the county's official website. John Mischtian appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Bell County Court at Law No. 2, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.

County Court at Law No. 3John Gauntt, Jr. (R)

John Gauntt, Jr. Republican

John Gauntt, Jr. appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Bell County Court at Law No. 3, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for John Gauntt, Jr.

By address

These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.

Find your districts by address
Commissioner, Precinct 2Bobby Whitson (R) · Stacey L. Wilson (D)

Bobby Whitson Republican

Top priorities
  • Economic development for Precinct 2 and the region
  • Regional partnerships with Fort Hood and neighboring counties

Per the campaign site.

About Bobby Whitson

Whitson is president and CEO of Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union and holds a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University, per the campaign site. He has been active in Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions clubs and in chamber of commerce leadership across Killeen, Harker Heights and Salado, per the campaign site. He has lived, worked and worshiped in Bell County his entire life, per the campaign site.

Stacey L. Wilson Democratic

Stacey L. Wilson appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Bell County Commissioner, Precinct 2, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Stacey L. Wilson.

Commissioner, Precinct 4Curtis Emmons (R) · Ernest Wilkerson (D)

Curtis Emmons Republican

Top priorities
  • Stronger law enforcement coordination for public safety
  • A proactive, long-term road infrastructure plan
  • Reducing regulation on home and business construction

Per the campaign site.

About Curtis Emmons

Emmons is a third-generation owner of B.A. Emmons Homes, a Central Texas construction company operating for more than 50 years, and holds a Master Builder certification, per the campaign site. Emmons has expanded the family business into consulting, commercial construction, and land development, and has served as president of the Central Texas Home Builders Association, per the campaign site.

Ernest Wilkerson Democratic

Top priorities
  • Infrastructure improvements
  • Economic growth and small-business support
  • Funding for western Bell County community needs

Per the campaign site.

About Ernest Wilkerson

Wilkerson is a military veteran and former state employee who served four terms on the Killeen City Council beginning in 2001 and is a vice president of the Killeen Economic Development Corporation, per his campaign site.

District ClerkLacey Martindale (R)

Lacey Martindale Republican

Lacey Martindale is the Republican nominee for Bell County District Clerk and chief deputy at the office, where she has worked for 17 years, per the Killeen Daily Herald. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.

District Judge, 169th Judicial DistrictCari Starritt-Burnett (R)

Cari Starritt-Burnett Republican

Cari Starritt-Burnett serves as judge of Bell County's 169th Judicial District Court, having been appointed by Governor Abbott, per the governor's office. She is a partner at Seigman, Starritt-Burnett & Sinkfield, PLLC, where she heads the family law department, and is past president of the Bell County Bar Association, per the same announcement. She holds a bachelor's degree from Angelo State University and a J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law. Cari Starritt-Burnett appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Bell County District Judge, 169th Judicial District, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.

District Judge, 264th Judicial DistrictPaul L. LePak (R)

Paul L. LePak Republican

Paul L. LePak serves as judge of Bell County's 264th Judicial District Court, having been appointed by Governor Abbott, per the governor's office. He practices law privately and previously served as president and treasurer of the Bell County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, per the same announcement. He holds a bachelor's degree from Marquette University and a J.D. from Villanova University School of Law. Paul L. LePak appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Bell County District Judge, 264th Judicial District, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.

District Judge, 478th Judicial DistrictWade Faulkner (R)

Wade Faulkner Republican

Faulkner currently serves as Judge of the 478th District Court in Bell County and previously served as a military judge, per the campaign site. Faulkner presides over the Bell County Veteran's Treatment Court, which focuses on improving outcomes for the county's veteran population. Faulkner is seeking reelection to a full term on the 478th District Court.

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1Patrick "Pat" Patterson (R)

Patrick "Pat" Patterson Republican

Patterson was raised in the Bell County Precinct 1 community, attended school there and built lifelong relationships, per the campaign site. Patterson describes a stepfather, Ted Duffield, as the current Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1. The site does not describe Patterson's occupation or professional background.

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2Michael Tice (R)

Michael Tice Republican

Michael Tice appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Bell County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Michael Tice.

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 2Larry Wilkey (R)

Larry Wilkey Republican

Larry Wilkey is a retired Temple Police Department officer who currently serves as Bell County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 2, per the county's official website. He was appointed to the post and sworn in in June 2022, per the Temple Daily Telegram. Larry Wilkey appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Bell County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Place 2, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.

Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Place 2Beatrice "Bea" Cox (R) · Jessica A. Gonzalez (D)

Beatrice "Bea" Cox Republican

Beatrice "Bea" Cox appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Bell County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Place 2, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Beatrice "Bea" Cox.

Jessica A. Gonzalez Democratic

Jessica A. Gonzalez appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Bell County Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, Place 2, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Jessica A. Gonzalez.

Texas Court of Appeals, 3rd District, Chief JusticeCory Liu (R) · Darlene Byrne (D)

Cory Liu Republican

Cory Liu is the Republican candidate for Chief Justice of the Third Court of Appeals. He currently serves as a district judge in Travis County and previously worked in legal roles for Texas state leaders, per his campaign site. He holds degrees from the University of Chicago and Harvard Law School.

Darlene Byrne Democrat Incumbent

Darlene Byrne is the incumbent Chief Justice of the Third Court of Appeals, elected in 2020, per the court's official biography. She previously presided for 20 years over the 126th Judicial District Court in Travis County. No campaign website was found as of September 15, 2026.

Full candidate profiles, priorities and campaign sites are on the Bell County page.

Statewide races

U.S. SenateKen Paxton (R) · James Talarico (D) · Ted Brown (L)

Ken Paxton Republican

Top priorities
  • Take the fight against the Washington establishment to the Senate
  • Continue his record of suing federal overreach and enforcing election integrity
  • Keep Texas a conservative stronghold
About Ken Paxton

Ken Paxton is the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Texas, winning the nomination over incumbent John Cornyn in the state's marquee 2026 primary fight. Texas's attorney general since 2015, he built a national profile suing the federal government and pressing election-integrity cases. His campaign theme is unshakable, unbroken, unafraid.

James Talarico Democrat

Top priorities
  • Take the fight against corruption to Washington
  • Win power back for working people from billionaire mega-donors
  • Invest in public schools and affordable health care
About James Talarico

James Talarico is the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Texas, an eighth-generation Texan, former middle school teacher, Presbyterian seminarian, and state representative. His campaign against corruption has drawn record grassroots support, raising more than $40 million with two-thirds from donors giving under $200, in one of the country's most watched Senate races.

Ted Brown L

Top priorities
  • Repealing the federal income tax
  • A non-interventionist foreign policy
  • Ending the federal war on drugs

Per the campaign site.

About Ted Brown

Ted Brown is a retired independent insurance adjuster from Austin and a longtime Libertarian Party officer who serves as his state party's candidate coordinator, per his campaign site. His 2024 run for this seat drew a record vote total for a Libertarian Senate candidate in Texas, per Houston Public Media.

GovernorGreg Abbott (R) · Gina Hinojosa (D) · Pat Dixon (L)

Greg Abbott Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Cut and reform property taxes with his Empowering Texas Taxpayers plan
  • Continue border security through Operation Lone Star
  • Keep growing Texas jobs and defending constitutional freedoms
About Greg Abbott
Greg Abbott

Greg Abbott is Texas's incumbent governor and the Republican nominee for a fourth term, which would make him the state's longest-serving governor. A former attorney general and state supreme court justice, he launched his re-election bid with a property tax reform plan, and his tenure is defined by border security through Operation Lone Star, school choice legislation, and economic development.

Gina Hinojosa Democrat

Top priorities
  • Quality and accessible health care for all Texans
  • An affordable Texas that works for everyone
  • Back-to-basics public education, not vouchers
About Gina Hinojosa

Gina Hinojosa is the Democratic nominee for Texas governor, a state representative from Austin, attorney, and former Austin school board president. Her populist campaign argues tax dollars are being spent to pad the pockets of the well-connected, with priorities focused on affordability, public education, and health care access.

Pat Dixon L

Top priorities
  • Apply limited-government principles to Texas
  • Expand individual liberty and free markets
  • Offer a third-party alternative for governor
About Pat Dixon
Pat Dixon

Dixon is the Libertarian Party candidate for Governor of Texas; he has held several executive-level positions in private industry, non-profit, and political organizations, has worked with the Texas legislature since 2004, and is an engineer and business owner through DPAS-INC, per the campaign site.

Lieutenant GovernorDan Patrick (R) · Vikki Goodwin (D) · Kevin McCormick (G) · Anthony Cristo (L)

Dan Patrick Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Continue conservative leadership of the Texas Senate
  • Cut property taxes and secure the border
  • Advance school choice and family values legislation
About Dan Patrick
Dan Patrick

Dan Patrick is Texas's incumbent lieutenant governor and the Republican nominee for a fourth term. A former radio host and state senator, he has presided over the Texas Senate since 2015, driving conservative priorities on border security, property taxes, and school choice.

Vikki Goodwin Democrat

Top priorities
  • Fund neighborhood public schools, not private school vouchers
  • Protect clean water and a reliable energy grid
  • Make housing and health care affordable
About Vikki Goodwin

Vikki Goodwin is the Democratic nominee for Texas lieutenant governor, a state representative from Austin and real estate broker. Her campaign theme is a good win for Texas, promising a Senate leader who collaborates rather than dictates, with priorities on public schools, clean water and energy, housing affordability, and health care.

Kevin McCormick G

Top priorities
  • Expanding public transit
  • Investing in the rural economy
  • Election reform including ranked choice voting

Per the campaign site.

About Kevin McCormick
Kevin McCormick

McCormick holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Houston Law Center and has most recently worked as a high school math teacher in San Antonio, per the campaign site. He previously ran for Congress in Texas's 24th District as a Green Party candidate in 2016 and now lives in the Lindale area of east Texas, per the campaign site.

Anthony Cristo L

Top priorities
  • Cutting both taxes and spending
  • Free market economics
  • Marijuana legalization

Per the campaign site.

About Anthony Cristo

High school English and debate teacher Anthony Cristo is a military veteran who resides in Cibolo, Texas, per his campaign site. He is the Libertarian Party candidate for Texas Lieutenant Governor. Anthony Cristo appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Lieutenant Governor, per the Texas Secretary of State's certified candidate list.

Attorney GeneralMayes Middleton (R) · Nathan Johnson (D) · Tom Oxford (L)

Mayes Middleton Republican

Top priorities
  • Secure the border and enforce deportation orders against criminal networks
  • Ensure strict election integrity and voter ID enforcement
  • Root out government waste, fraud, and abuse
About Mayes Middleton

Mayes Middleton is the Republican nominee for Texas attorney general in the open race created by Ken Paxton's Senate run. A seventh-generation Texan, oil company president, attorney, and state senator who chaired the Texas House Freedom Caucus, he authored the Save Women's Sports Act, and his platform emphasizes the border, election integrity, and a DOGE-style attack on government waste.

Nathan Johnson Democrat

Top priorities
  • Restore an attorney general's office that works for Texans, not partisans
  • Take on market abuse and political corruption
  • Protect Texans' rights, freedoms, and access to health care
About Nathan Johnson

Nathan Johnson is the Democratic nominee for Texas attorney general, a state senator from Dallas and attorney. His campaign argues the office has been corrupted and abused for personal and partisan ends, and points to his Senate record reforming the state insurance marketplace, fortifying the power grid after Winter Storm Uri, and leading on Medicaid expansion.

Tom Oxford L

Tom Oxford is a personal injury and civil rights attorney who owns a law firm near Beaumont and belongs to the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, per the San Antonio Report. No campaign website was found as of September 3, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Tom Oxford.

ComptrollerDon Huffines (R) · Sarah Eckhardt (D) · Shehla Faizi (G) · V. Alonzo Echavarria-Garza (L)

Don Huffines Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • DOGE Texas government to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse
  • Demand honest, transparent state budgets
  • Keep Texas dollars in Texas and defend taxpayers
About Don Huffines
Don Huffines

Don Huffines is the Republican nominee for Texas comptroller and, as of July 2026, the appointed incumbent after Governor Abbott installed him in the office he had already won the nomination for. A fifth-generation Texan, real estate developer, and former state senator, his platform is to DOGE Texas government: eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse and demand honest, transparent budgets.

Sarah Eckhardt Democrat

Top priorities
  • Stop no-bid contracts and audit the voucher program
  • Tell Texans honestly where their tax money goes
  • Fight health care costs and break single-party rule
About Sarah Eckhardt

Sarah Eckhardt is the Democratic nominee for Texas comptroller, a state senator from Austin, attorney, and former Travis County judge. Her campaign promises to tell Texans honestly where their money is going, targeting no-bid contracts, the private school voucher program, and corporate tax breaks.

Shehla Faizi G

Top priorities
  • Keeping Texas tax dollars in Texas
  • Ending tax breaks for large corporations
  • Restoring checks and balances to the office

Per the campaign site.

About Shehla Faizi
Shehla Faizi

Faizi is a graphic designer with a career in advertising and marketing journalism who was raised in Karachi, Pakistan, and moved to Texas in 2012, per the campaign site. She became politically active after 2016 and volunteered for the Green Party's 2024 presidential campaign before running for comptroller, per the campaign site.

V. Alonzo Echavarria-Garza L

V. Alonzo Echavarria-Garza is on the Texas Secretary of State's certified list of November 3, 2026 candidates as the Libertarian nominee for comptroller; the SOS filing records the occupation chief financial officer. No campaign website was found as of September 3, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for V. Alonzo Echavarria-Garza.

Agriculture CommissionerNate Sheets (R) · Clayton Tucker (D) · Austin R. Kelly (L)

Nate Sheets Republican

Top priorities
  • Bring agribusiness experience to the agriculture department
  • Support Texas farmers and ranchers
  • Restore integrity to the office
About Nate Sheets
Nate Sheets

Sheets is a candidate for Texas Agriculture Commissioner and an agriculture entrepreneur and beekeeper who built a large branded honey business from a backyard operation; he is also a U.S. Navy Reserves veteran, per the campaign site.

Clayton Tucker Democrat

Top priorities
  • Stand up for family farms and ranches
  • Promote fair trade for Texas producers
  • Protect rural water and land
About Clayton Tucker

Tucker is a candidate for Texas Agriculture Commissioner and a farmer and rancher who operates a family farm near Lampasas raising cattle, goats, and donkeys; he previously served as Secretary of the Texas Farmers Union and worked as a water researcher and teacher, per the campaign site.

Austin R. Kelly L

Top priorities
  • Water conservation protecting aquifers and groundwater rights
  • Property rights and fighting eminent domain abuse
  • Removing barriers to selling what farmers grow

Per the campaign site.

About Austin R. Kelly

Kelly holds a Ph.D. in ecology and founded ARK Ecological Consulting; he is running for Texas Agriculture Commissioner and describes himself as a scientist rather than a career politician, per the campaign site.

Land CommissionerDawn Buckingham (R) · Benjamin Flores (D) · Neill Snider (L)

Dawn Buckingham Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Border security through General Land Office land actions
  • Public education funding through the Permanent School Fund
  • Veterans programs through the Veterans Land Board

Per the campaign site.

About Dawn Buckingham

Dawn Buckingham is Texas's sitting land commissioner, per the Secretary of State's statewide officials roster, elected in 2022 as the first woman to hold the office. An eye surgeon and former state senator, she was the first Republican elected to the Texas Senate from Travis County, per her campaign site.

Benjamin Flores Democrat

Top priorities
  • Directing General Land Office revenue toward public schools
  • Expanding Veterans Land Board programs and outreach
  • Protecting Texas beaches and strengthening storm-recovery programs

Per the campaign site.

About Benjamin Flores

Benjamin Flores announced in 2026 that he had been diagnosed with leukemia, stayed in the race, and later announced he was in remission, per the Texas Tribune; he remains an active candidate. A Bay City councilman with a background in cybersecurity and compliance, he won a two way Democratic primary and was endorsed by the Austin American-Statesman in that round, per the San Antonio Report.

Neill Snider L

Top priorities
  • reducing the taxpayer burden through transparent management of state lands and mineral rights
  • supporting responsible energy production and fair leasing practices
  • reducing spending within the General Land Office

Per the campaign site.

About Neill Snider

Neill Snider is the Libertarian candidate for Texas Land Commissioner. He has worked as a mechanical contractor for nearly four decades and operates a small cattle ranch, with experience as an oil and gas investor in East Texas, per his campaign site.

Railroad CommissionerBo French (R) · Jon Rosenthal (D) · Arthur DiBianca (L)

Bo French Republican

Top priorities
  • Reducing regulation on Texas oil and gas producers
  • Enforcing state restrictions on foreign ownership of Texas land

Per the campaign site.

About Bo French

Bo French is a former chair of the Tarrant County Republican Party, an energy trader and rancher who has owned businesses providing security for energy companies, per the San Antonio Report. He won the May 26 runoff over sitting commissioner Jim Wright, per the Texas Tribune.

Jon Rosenthal Democrat

Top priorities
  • Data center energy policy
  • Fair and affordable gas utility rates
  • Texas energy jobs

Per the campaign site.

About Jon Rosenthal

Jon Rosenthal is a four term Texas House member from Houston who spent 25 years in oil and gas as an engineer and project manager, per his campaign site.

Arthur DiBianca L

Top priorities
  • Free market energy policy without subsidies or mandates
  • Defending mineral and surface property rights
  • Operator accountability for well plugging through bonding and insurance

Per the campaign site.

About Arthur DiBianca

Arthur DiBianca is a longtime Libertarian activist from Austin who has testified before the Texas Legislature, per his campaign site.

Supreme Court, Chief JusticeJimmy Blacklock (R) · Maggie Ellis (D)

Jimmy Blacklock Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Applying the Constitution and law as written rather than 'legislating from the bench'

Per the campaign site.

About Jimmy Blacklock
Jimmy Blacklock

Jimmy Blacklock is the incumbent Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, appointed to the court in 2018 and named the 28th Chief Justice in January 2025, per the court's official biography. He previously served as General Counsel to Gov. Greg Abbott.

Maggie Ellis Democrat

Top priorities
  • Fair treatment of the public and access to the courts

Per the campaign site.

About Maggie Ellis

Maggie Ellis is a justice on the Texas Third Court of Appeals, elected to that court in 2024, per the court's official biography. Before joining the bench she practiced law representing individuals and is Board Certified in Juvenile Law, per the same source.

Supreme Court, Place 2 (Unexpired Term)Chari Kelly (D) · James P. Sullivan (R)

Chari Kelly Democrat

Chari Kelly is a justice on the Texas Third Court of Appeals, elected in 2019, per the court's official biography. Before the bench she was a felony prosecutor in Travis and Comal counties and an Assistant Attorney General, and she is a former U.S. Army paratrooper and captain.

James P. Sullivan Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Applying the Constitution and law as written

Per the campaign site.

About James P. Sullivan
James P. Sullivan

James P. Sullivan is the incumbent on the Texas Supreme Court, appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in January 2025, per the court's official biography. He previously served as the Governor's General Counsel and as an Assistant Solicitor General, and clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Supreme Court, Place 7Kristen Hawkins (D) · Kyle D. Hawkins (R)

Kristen Hawkins Democrat

Top priorities
  • Civility, professionalism and respect in the legal profession

Per the campaign site.

About Kristen Hawkins

Kristen Hawkins is the judge of the 11th District Court in Harris County, elected in 2016 and reelected in 2020, per her campaign site. She holds board certifications in Civil Trial Law and Personal Injury Law.

Kyle D. Hawkins Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Humility, diligence and applying the law as written

Per the campaign site.

About Kyle D. Hawkins
Kyle D. Hawkins

Kyle D. Hawkins is the incumbent on the Texas Supreme Court, appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in October 2025, per the court's official biography. He previously served as Texas Solicitor General.

Supreme Court, Place 8Gisela D. Triana (D) · Brett Busby (R)

Gisela D. Triana Democrat

Gisela D. Triana is a justice on the Texas Third Court of Appeals, elected in 2018, per the court's official biography. She previously spent 14 years as judge of the 200th District Court.

Brett Busby Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Applying laws faithfully without rewriting them from the bench
  • Expanding access to justice, including a licensing system for legal paraprofessionals

Per the campaign site.

About Brett Busby
Brett Busby

Brett Busby is the incumbent on the Texas Supreme Court, appointed in 2019 and elected in 2020, per the court's official biography. He previously served six years as a justice on the Fourteenth Court of Appeals in Houston.

Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3Thomas Smith (R) · Okey Anyiam (D) · Mark Ash (L)

Thomas Smith Republican

Thomas Smith has served as Special Assistant Attorney General for Criminal Justice in the Texas Attorney General's office since 2015, per his campaign site. He earlier practiced civil law and clerked for an Ohio Supreme Court chief justice.

Okey Anyiam Democrat

Okey Anyiam is a criminal defense lawyer in Dallas who has practiced law since 1997, per the San Antonio Report. No campaign website was found as of September 15, 2026.

Mark Ash L

Mark Ash is a candidate for Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the state's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 15, 2026.

Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 4Kevin Patrick Yeary (R) · Audra Riley (D)

Kevin Patrick Yeary Republican Incumbent

Kevin Patrick Yeary

Kevin Patrick Yeary is the Republican candidate for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 4, and the sitting judge, having served on the court for ten years, per his campaign site.

Audra Riley Democrat

Audra Riley is the presiding judge of Criminal District Court 3 in Dallas County, per the San Antonio Report. No campaign website was found as of September 15, 2026.

Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9John Messinger (R) · Holly Taylor (D)

John Messinger Republican

John Messinger is the Republican candidate for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9. He is a career appellate prosecutor with the Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney since 2011, previously worked in the McLennan County District Attorney's Office, and is a Baylor Law School graduate, per his campaign site.

Holly Taylor Democrat

Top priorities
  • An independent voice ensuring fair and thorough case review
  • Upholding the Constitution and treating everyone with dignity

Per the campaign site.

About Holly Taylor

Holly Taylor is a criminal defense attorney who spent more than 17 years as a prosecutor, per the San Antonio Report.

Court of Appeals, 15th District, Chief JusticeScott Brister (R) · Jerry Zimmerer (D)

Scott Brister Republican Incumbent

Scott Brister

Scott Brister is the Republican candidate for Chief Justice of the Fifteenth Court of Appeals, a position he has held since the court's creation in September 2024, per his campaign site. He previously served six years on the Texas Supreme Court, three years as a justice and chief justice of the First and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals, and eleven years as presiding judge of the 234th District Court in Harris County. He is a Duke University and Harvard Law School graduate.

Jerry Zimmerer Democrat

Top priorities
  • Court efficiency

Per the campaign site.

About Jerry Zimmerer

Jerry Zimmerer previously served as an elected justice on the Fourteenth Court of Appeals in Houston for six years, per his campaign site.

Court of Appeals, 15th District, Place 2Scott K. Field (R) · Tom Baker (D)

Scott K. Field Republican Incumbent

Scott K. Field

Scott K. Field is the incumbent Place 2 justice on the Fifteenth Court of Appeals, per the court's official biography. He previously served as the inaugural judge of the 480th District Court in Williamson County. No campaign website was found as of September 15, 2026.

Tom Baker Democrat

Top priorities
  • Judicial impartiality regardless of party affiliation

Per the campaign site.

About Tom Baker

Tom Baker is a U.S. Navy JAG Corps veteran who previously served as an elected justice on the Third Court of Appeals in Austin from 2019 to 2024, per his campaign site.

Court of Appeals, 15th District, Place 3April Farris (R) · Marc M. Meyer (D)

April Farris Republican Incumbent

April Farris

April Farris is the Republican candidate for the Fifteenth Court of Appeals. She was appointed to the court by Governor Abbott effective September 1, 2024, after previously serving as a justice on the First Court of Appeals, and worked as an appellate litigation partner and assistant solicitor general for the State of Texas, per her campaign site. She is a Harvard Law School graduate and clerked for Fifth Circuit Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod.

Marc M. Meyer Democrat

Top priorities
  • Protecting individual rights against state power

Per the campaign site.

About Marc M. Meyer

Marc M. Meyer is a retired Houston Fire Department captain and paramedic with 20 years of service who now practices law defending health care providers, per his campaign site.

See your full ballot

Your address is only used to match your districts.

Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Sample ballot by ZIP code in Killeen4 ZIP codes
Bell County sample ballotTexas statewide races

City boundaries and ZIP codes from the U.S. Census Bureau (2024 Gazetteer, 2020 ZCTA relationships). Candidate fields follow official election office filings; confirm with the Texas election office before voting.