Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3
StatewideOkey Anyiam (D) won the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3 race with 50.0% of the vote to Thomas Smith's (R) 47.6%, as called by the Associated Press.
Okey Anyiam vs. Thomas SmithNovember 3 results
Democrat: Okey AnyiamWinner
Republican: Thomas SmithMark Ash (Libertarian) 2.4%
State count last updated Nov. 4, 4:18 p.m. CT. Unofficial until the state canvass, between Nov. 21 and Dec. 7.
Counties must finish their canvass by Nov. 17, and totals can change until then.
One of nine judges on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the state's court of last resort for criminal cases. The court hears every death-penalty appeal directly. It can review other criminal cases after the state's intermediate appeals courts rule. It also decides felony habeas corpus petitions, including wrongful-conviction claims.
Before Election Day: Ratings and Analysis
Written before Election Day and not updated with returns. Ratings and polls describe the race before any returns were reported.
Open seat, Richardson did not seek re-election. Alison Fox (31.3%) and Thomas Smith (30.7%) advanced from a tight first-round primary to the May 26 Republican runoff, which Smith won. Okey Anyiam ran unopposed for Democrats.
No major forecaster rates Texas judicial races. This open seat pits Thomas Smith (R), winner of the May 26 runoff, against Okey Anyiam (D). Republicans have held every seat on the Court of Criminal Appeals since 2017. The last Democrat to sit on the court, Lawrence Meyers, was elected as a Republican, switched parties in 2013, and lost in 2016.
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Runoff Result
Primary Runoff
Winner.Thomas Smith
Alison FoxMarch Primary Result
Primary Results
Alison FoxThomas Smith
Brent Coffee
Lesli Fitzpatrick
Winner.Okey AnyiamRepublican nominee
Special Assistant Attorney General
Democratic nominee
Criminal defense attorney
Also on the ballot
- Mark AshLibertarian
Certified for the November 3 ballot by the Texas Secretary of State, August 28, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3 race?
Okey Anyiam (D) won the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 3 race with 50.0% of the vote to Thomas Smith's (R) 47.6%, as called by the Associated Press. Results are unofficial until the canvass.
Who was on the 2026 ballot for Place 3 of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals?
Okey Anyiam (Democratic), Thomas Smith (Republican), and Mark Ash (Libertarian) were on the November 3 ballot.
Thomas Smith vs. Okey Anyiam: who was on the ballot for Place 3 of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals?
Republican Thomas Smith and Democrat Okey Anyiam were the major-party candidates for Place 3 of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
Where can I see 2026 results for Place 3 of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals?
This page publishes Texas Secretary of State returns for Place 3 of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals as they become available. Election-night counts are unofficial until canvassed, and TexPolls marks a race called only after a named news organization calls it.