Democrats seize Texas Supreme Court and Criminal Appeals seats in historic 2026 judicial sweep

Key points

• Democrats won all four seats on the Texas Supreme Court, defeating incumbents including Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock and Brett Busby.
• The Court of Criminal Appeals saw three Democratic victories, resulting in a 6-3 Republican majority on the nine-judge panel.
• All three Republican-appointed members of the 15th Court of Appeals were ousted by Democratic challengers.
• The judicial sweep followed record early voting turnout and Democratic wins in the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races.
• The Texas Supreme Court now holds a 5-4 Republican advantage, while the Court of Criminal Appeals retains a 6-3 Republican lead.

Background

This judicial shift follows a broader Democratic wave in Texas, where voters elected Gina Hinojosa as governor and James Talarico to the U.S. Senate, ending decades of Republican dominance in statewide offices. Prior to 2026, the last Democrat to win a seat on the Texas Supreme Court or Court of Criminal Appeals was in 1994, with a brief exception in 2013 when Judge Lawrence Meyers switched parties.

How outlets are covering it

The Texas Tribune and Texas Scorecard both emphasize the historic nature of the Democratic sweep, noting that Republicans had maintained total control of these courts for decades. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth provides granular vote counts, showing that several Democratic wins were narrow, with margins under 5 percentage points in some races. While all sources agree on the outcome, The Texas Tribune highlights the financial disparity, noting that many Republican candidates had significantly outspent their Democratic opponents despite losing. Texas Scorecard notes that the 15th Court of Appeals, created in 2023, will expand to five seats by 2027, adding future complexity to the court's composition.

Why it matters

The shift in judicial control could impact pending cases, including a dispute over whether Democratic lawmakers who left Texas to block redistricting can be removed from office. A more balanced court may alter the trajectory of criminal appeals and civil litigation involving state agencies, reflecting the broader political realignment in Texas.

What to watch

The new justices will take office following the certification of results. The 15th Court of Appeals is scheduled to add two more seats by September 2027, which could further alter the balance of power on that panel. The Texas Supreme Court will continue to hear major civil cases, including those related to state redistricting and legislative authority.