After more than a decade serving on the state’s high court, Justice Jeff Boyd announced he will not seek reelection in 2026 and will retire later this year.
The move will allow Gov. Greg Abbott to appoint a justice to serve the remainder of Justice Boyd’s term. Justice Boyd was originally appointed to the Texas Supreme Court in December 2012 by then-Gov. Rick Perry to fill Justice Dale Wainwright’s unexpired term.
Justice Boyd issued a statement that he’ll be leaving the bench “near the end” of the court’s term this summer.
“I am honored and blessed to have served on the Texas Supreme Court these past 12 years,” he said. “I’m especially grateful to Gov. Rick Perry for appointing me to the court in 2012, to the many Texans who have encouraged, supported, and voted for me though two statewide elections, to my many court and campaign colleagues and coworkers for their friendship and inspiration, and to my wife Jackie and our children for reminding me daily of life’s most important blessings.”
“It’s now time to let another take the helm.”
In 2014 and 2020, Justice Boyd won reelection to the bench. Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock issued a statement Wednesday praising Justice Boyd’s service.
“Justice Jeff Boyd has served the State of Texas with honor and distinction for many years, and I am blessed to call him my friend,” he said. “Throughout his service on the Supreme Court, Justice Boyd has been a model of integrity, impartiality, and diligence.”
“His sharp insights and thorough analysis have shaped and strengthened the opinions of the court, and his abundant good humor around the office have made him a beloved friend and mentor to Justices and staff alike.”
Prior to his appointment, Justice Boyd had served as both Gov. Perry’s chief of staff and his general counsel. He practiced at Thompson & Knight for a total of 15 years between stints of government service.
He is a graduate of Abilene Christian University and earned his law degree at Pepperdine University, where he graduated second in his class. He clerked for Judge Thomas M. Reavley on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Before going to law school, he worked as a minister at Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ in Austin.
According to data compiled by SCOTXblog, during the 2024 term of the court, Justice Boyd aligned the most with Justice P. Devine, 90.5 percent of the time. In contrast, he sided with Chief Justice Blacklock only 55 percent of the time, which was the lowest rate of alignment for any two justices on the court.