Supreme Court, Chief Justice
StatewideJimmy Blacklock (R) faces Maggie Ellis (D) for Supreme Court, Chief Justice on November 3, 2026.
Blacklock ran unopposed in the GOP primary. Maggie Ellis won the Democratic nomination with 74.3% over Cory Carlyle. Abbott elevated Blacklock, elected to Place 2 in 2018, to Chief Justice in January 2025 after Nathan Hecht retired; November is his first election as Chief.
Incumbent: Jimmy Blacklock(R)
Leads the nine-member Texas Supreme Court, the state's highest court for civil matters. Hears appeals on everything from redistricting to business disputes.
November General Election
Nov 3, 2026No major handicapper rates Texas judicial races. Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock (R) faces Maggie Ellis (D). Republicans have held every Texas Supreme Court seat since 1999. 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.Jimmy Blacklock(i)
Winner.Maggie Ellis
Cory CarlyleRepublican nominee
Democratic nominee
Justice, 3rd Court of Appeals
Frequently Asked
Who is running for Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court in 2026?
Jimmy Blacklock (R, incumbent) faces Maggie Ellis (D) in the November 3, 2026 general election.
When is the 2026 Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice 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 Supreme Court Chief Justice 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 Supreme Court do?
Leads the nine-member Texas Supreme Court, the state's highest court for civil matters. Hears appeals on everything from redistricting to business disputes.
How were the 2026 Supreme Court Chief Justice nominees decided?
Blacklock ran unopposed in the GOP primary. Maggie Ellis won the Democratic nomination with 74.3% over Cory Carlyle. Abbott elevated Blacklock, elected to Place 2 in 2018, to Chief Justice in January 2025 after Nathan Hecht retired; November is his first election as Chief.
Key Dates
Other judicial races
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