Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9
StatewideJohn Messinger (R) faces Holly Taylor (D) for Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9 on November 3, 2026.
Open seat, Newell did not seek re-election. John Messinger won the Republican primary decisively with 68.8% over Jennifer Balido. Holly Taylor ran unopposed for Democrats.
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.
November General Election
Nov 3, 2026No major handicapper rates Texas judicial races. This open seat pits John Messinger (R) against Holly Taylor (D). Republicans have held every Court of Criminal Appeals seat since 1998. The rating reflects structural lean, not a forecast.
The November ballot, explained
Texas race coverage by email, only when something changes before Nov 3.
Primary Results
Winner.John Messinger
Jennifer Balido
Winner.Holly TaylorRepublican nominee
Assistant State Prosecuting Attorney
Democratic nominee
Asst. Director, Civil Rights Division, Travis County DA
Frequently Asked
Who is running for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9 in 2026?
John Messinger (R) faces Holly Taylor (D) in the November 3, 2026 general election.
When is the 2026 Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9 election?
The general election is November 3, 2026. The voter registration deadline is October 5, early voting runs October 19 to 30, and mail-ballot applications are due October 23.
Is the 2026 Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9 race competitive?
No major handicapper rates this race. TexPolls lists it as Safe Republican based on Texas's structural partisan lean and recent statewide results, not a forecast. Republicans have held every seat on both Texas high courts since 1999.
What does the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals do?
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.
How were the 2026 Court of Criminal Appeals Place 9 nominees decided?
Open seat, Newell did not seek re-election. John Messinger won the Republican primary decisively with 68.8% over Jennifer Balido. Holly Taylor ran unopposed for Democrats.
Key Dates
Other judicial races
Stay in the loop
Texas election coverage, straight to your inbox. No spam.