All Races
Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9
StatewideOpen seat — Newell did not seek re-election. John Messinger won the Republican primary decisively with 68.9% over Jennifer Balido. Holly Taylor ran unopposed for Democrats.
Incumbent: David Newell(R)
Primary — Mar 3, 2026Safe R
One of nine judges on Texas's highest criminal court — reviews wrongful conviction claims through habeas corpus petitions and sets precedent on constitutional criminal rights.
Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9
Primary Results
Called · 100% reporting
Republican Primary
John Messinger wins
John Messinger
68.8%
1,243,429 votes
Jennifer Balido
31.2%
563,348 votes
Democratic Primary
Holly Taylor wins
Holly Taylor
100.0%
1,874,909 votes
Republican Primary
Jennifer Balido
Judge, Dallas County Criminal District Court
John Messinger
Assistant State Prosecuting Attorney
Democratic Primary
Holly Taylor
Asst. Director, Civil Rights Division, Travis County DA
Key Dates
Primary ElectionMar 3, 2026
General ElectionNov 3, 2026
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