There are nine Justices on the Texas Supreme Court, and unlike the U.S. Supreme Court, where justices serve for life, we elect ours every six years. It's crucial that we elect Justices who will serve the citizens of our state, because the most important cases often come down to one Justice's deciding vote — whether a hospital can be sued, whether an insurance company is liable, who gets custody of our children. One seat can flip the outcome, and you help decide who sits in it.
The Democratic candidate
Kristen Hawkins
DemocratAbout Kristen
Read the ballot carefully: this race is Kristen Hawkins against Kyle Hawkins. She's the Houston trial judge — the daughter of an immigrant mother, who worked her way through law school; he's the Abbott appointee who's been on the court since October and has never faced a voter. Texas lawyers, polled, picked her.
Hawkins grew up in Houston, went to Alief Hastings High, then UT and South Texas College of Law, and in 2016 became the first woman ever elected to the 11th District Court — the oldest court in Texas. She's board-certified in civil trial law and personal-injury law, has been handed two of the state's biggest multi-plaintiff cases to manage, and was named Jurist of the Year by Texas trial lawyers in 2021. She has never lost an election.
Also on the ballot
Every candidate who filed for this office appears here. Tap a name to read more.
Kyle HawkinsAbout Kyle
He was Texas Solicitor General, then went to work for President Trump's Department of Justice, then was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court by Greg Abbott — all before turning 40.
Hawkins was appointed to Place 7 in October 2025, replacing Justice Jeffrey Boyd. He previously argued for states' rights in Medicaid litigation as a Trump DOJ attorney and handled high-stakes appellate cases in private practice. This is his first election.
Where to vote
Hays County uses vote centers — any registered Hays County voter can vote at any open location in the county. Locations and hours by city: