Democrats Sweep 15th Court of Appeals Seats

Three Republican incumbents appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott lost re-election bids to Democratic challengers in the court's first election.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Elections

Democrats Sweep 15th Court of Appeals Seats

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Democrats won all three seats on the 15th Court of Appeals in the court's first election, defeating incumbent Republican justices Scott Brister, Scott K. Field and April Farris. Each race stands at a four-point margin, with the winners holding 52 percent of the reported vote, according to unofficial Texas Secretary of State results.

Why it matters

The 15th Court of Appeals holds statewide jurisdiction over civil matters involving the state government and hears appeals from the Business Court. The Legislature created the court in 2023 over substantial Democratic opposition, and the outcome changes who sits on it.

Each of the three races was decided by a four-point margin with the winners at 52 percent of the reported vote. The results remain unofficial pending certification by the state.

The players

Greg Abbott

The Republican governor of Texas, who appointed all three incumbent justices to the 15th Court of Appeals in 2024.

Texas Secretary of State

The state office that reported the unofficial results of the election for the 15th Court of Appeals seats.

The details

Democratic challengers Jerry Zimmerer, Tom Baker and Marc M. Meyer defeated Chief Justice Scott Brister, Place 2 Justice Scott K. Field and Place 3 Justice April Farris. Zimmerer previously served on the 14th Court of Appeals in Houston from 2018 through 2024, and Field issued a concession statement shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday.

The Legislature created the 15th Court of Appeals and the Business Court in 2023.
Abbott appointed the three incumbents to the court in 2024.
Voters decided the seats on November 4, 2026, and Field conceded early Wednesday, November 5.

Political Context

The Legislature created the court in 2023 over substantial Democratic opposition, and Gov. Greg Abbott's 2024 appointments set its initial Republican makeup. Democrats' sweep of the three seats in the court's first election reverses that makeup on the appellate bench that hears state-government civil cases.

The change in majority affects which justices decide civil appeals involving the state government and the Business Court. Texans with cases pending before the 15th Court of Appeals may see different judicial leadership as the new justices take their seats.

The takeaway

Voter turnout and partisan results in appellate races can reshape which courts hear state-government cases. Readers following Texas courts should watch the certification of these unofficial results and the new justices' first rulings.