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Update: Republicans Sweep Dallas, Houston Court of Appeals Elections, Get Wins in SA

November 6, 2024 Mark Curriden

This developing story has been updated.

In a stunning political reversal from six years ago, Republican candidates for the Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas have run the table in Tuesday’s elections, and all three Republican justices on the Texas Supreme Court have easily won re-election.

The eight new Republican judges led by a Republican chief judge will have the majority on the Dallas Court of Appeals.

Three justices on the Texas Supreme Court — Jimmy Blacklock, Jane Bland and John Devine — were re-elected overwhelmingly, each receiving more than 1.5 million votes more than their Democratic opponents.

The election means all nine justices on the Fourteenth Court of Appeals are Republican, that the makeup of the First Court of Appeals is seven Republicans and two Democrats, and that the Fourth Court of Appeals is divided with four Republicans and three Democrats.

Here’s a breakdown of the results.

First Court of Appeals

Four Republican challengers took seats on the court that had been held by Democrats. 

Jackson Walker partner Jennifer Caughey, who had formerly served as an appellate justice in Houston before losing her race in 2018, was reelected to the bench Tuesday, beating out Democratic challenger Brendetta Scott with 53.4 percent of the vote. 

Andrew Johnson, a Republican, beat out incumbent Justice Sarah Beth Landau with 52.97 percent of the vote. 

Republican candidate Clint Morgan defeated incumbent Democrat Justice Julie Countiss with 52.64 percent of the vote. 

Incumbent Democrat Justice Richard Hightower lost his seat to Republican challenger Kristin M. Guiney, who received 52.96 percent of the vote. 

And in a race that had no incumbent, Republican Susanna Dokupil defeated Amber Boyd-Cora with 52.89 percent of the vote. 

Third Court of Appeals 

The Austin Court of Appeals stayed blue. 

Maggie Ellis, a Democrat, defeated John Messinger with 50.94 percent of the vote in the race for Place 2. 

Incumbent Democrat Justices Chari Kelly and Gisela D. Triana went unchallenged and will remain in their roles. Karin Crump, a Democrat, was unchallenged in the race for Place 5. 

Fourth Court of Appeals

Republicans made inroads on the San Antonio appellate court. 

Democrat Velia J. Meza went unchallenged in the race for Place 2. 

Republican Todd McCray beat out Democrat Cynthia Marie Chapa in a battle between newcomers for Place 3. McCray garnered 51.37 percent of the vote.  

Republican challenger Lori Massey Brissette beat incumbent Democrat Justice Luz elena Chapa with 51.94 percent of the vote. 

Republican challenger Adrian Spears beat out incumbent Democrat Justice Liza A. Rodriguez with 51.12 percent of the vote. 

Incumbent Republican Justice Lori I. Valenzuela went unchallenged.

Fifth Court of Appeals

Of the eight seats up for election on the Dallas Court of Appeals, Republican candidates won them all. 

Republican Justin Jay “J.J.” Koch defeated Democrat Staci Williams, garnering 50.6 percent of the vote to take the Chief Justice spot on the Dallas court of appeals. 

Earl Jackson, a Republican, beat out incumbent Democrat Justice Amanda Reichek with 50.3 percent of the vote. 

In a race without an incumbent, Republican Gino J. Rossini beat Democrat Kim Cooks with 50.63 percent of the vote. 

Incumbent Democrat Justice Ken Molberg was defeated by Republican challenger Mike Lee, who garnered 50.96 percent of the vote. 

Incumbent Republican Justice Emily A. Miskel held on to her seat, garnering 50.32 percent of the vote to defeat Democratic challenger Tonya Parker.

Incumbent Democrat Justice Robbie Partida-Kipness was defeated by Republican challenger Jessica Lewis, who received 51.57 percent of the vote. 

Incumbent Democrat Justice Erin A. Nowell was defeated by Republican challenger Cynthia Barbare, who received 50.63 percent of the vote. 

Republican Matthew J. Kolodoski beat Democrat Tina Clinton in the race for Place 9, garnering 50.13 percent of the vote. 

Fourteenth Court of Appeals

Republicans swept five seats at the Fourteenth Court of Appeals. 

Republican Chad Bridges received 54.12 percent of the vote for Place 3, defeating Democrat Velda Renita Faulkner. 

Republican Tonya McLaughlin defeated incumbent Democrat Justice Charles Spain with 53.57 percent of the vote. 

Republican Maritza Michelle Antu defeated incumbent Democrat Frances Bourliot with 53.08 percent of the vote. 

Incumbent Democrat Justice Meagan Hassan was defeated by Republican Katy Boatman, who received 53.2 percent of the vote. 

Incumbent Democrat Justice Margaret “Meg” Poissant lost to Republican Brad Hart, who won 52.98 percent of the vote. 

Supreme Court of Texas

The all-Republican Texas Supreme Court will remain that way.

Justice Jimmy Blacklock won reelection with 58.32 percent of the vote, defeating challenger Dasean Jones. 

Justice John Devine defeated Christine Weems to reclaim the bench with 57.42 percent of the vote.

Justice Jane Bland also won reelection, defeating Bonnie Goldstein and securing 56.36 percent of the vote.

For specific up-to-date election results, please visit The Dallas Morning News, which has all of the state’s results.

Senior Reporter Michelle Casady contributed to this report.

Mark Curriden

Mark Curriden is a lawyer/journalist and founder of The Texas Lawbook. In addition, he is a contributing legal correspondent for The Dallas Morning News.

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