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Texas Midterm 2026

Court of Criminal Appeals • Place 9

Why this race matters

This is the court that decides whether Texas got it right. When new evidence turns up years later — DNA, a witness who lied — a Judge on the Court of Criminal Appeals is who decides if the person walks free or stays in a cell. Your vote can help free the wrongly convicted while also protecting victims' families.

The Democratic candidate

Court of Criminal Appeals • Place 9
Holly Taylor, Democratic candidate for Court of Criminal Appeals • Place 9

Holly Taylor

Democrat
Read about Holly ▾

Taylor's job has been to find the people Texas locked up for crimes they didn't commit and get them out — she ran post-conviction work with Travis County's Conviction Integrity Unit. Before that she wrote the rules for the Court of Criminal Appeals itself, as its staff attorney. Now she wants a seat on it.

She's board-certified in criminal appeals, admitted to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court, and ran the Travis County DA's public-integrity division, prosecuting corruption and fraud. When the State Bar polled Texas lawyers, she out-polled each of the Republicans in the race. Her opponent, John Messinger, won his primary with the backing of True Texas Project and has never been a judge. She and her husband John met playing in a band — she sang — and raised four kids in Austin public schools.

Holly’s website ↗

Also on the ballot

Every candidate who filed for this office appears here.

Where to vote

You can vote at any vote center in Hays County, during early voting or on Election Day. Locations and hours by city:

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