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VOTE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026Texas early voting Oct 19 – Oct 30 · Your exact ballot: Texas My Voter Portal

Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9Statewide · 2 candidates

In their own words

John Messinger

WebsiteBallotpedia
  • Justice Through Law Enforcement
    Our system of justice is not perfect. No system made by man is. We can improve it, but that improvement doesn’t come from judges doing whatever they think is right in their own eyes. It comes from enforcing the laws as written to find out what works and what doesn’t. …
  • Campaign statement
    Many recent opinions from the Court of Criminal Appeals ignore or conflict with applicable law, its own decisions, or both. Perhaps worse, last year the average time it took them to review a lower court decision increased to over 500 days. …
  • Experience Matters
    I am a career appellate prosecutor. By virtue of the job God has blessed me with at the Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney, almost no one practicing law today has as much experience in the Court of Criminal Appeals as I do. My opponent filed one writ application in 2013. The choice is clear.

Holly Taylor

WebsiteBallotpedia
  • Values
    I believe we must safeguard the independence, impartiality, and integrity of our Texas courts, ensuring that all who come before them are treated with respect and humanity.
  • Campaign statement
    While I can't speak to specific policies due to ethical constraints, my Democratic affiliation is deeply rooted in my values.
  • Campaign statement
    With over two decades of experience in criminal law practice, including holding leadership roles at the Travis County District Attorney’s Office and serving as the Rules Attorney for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, my journey reflects my dedication to justice.
  • Campaign statement
    As a future Judge, my goal is to respect constitutional rights, create a supportive environment, and enhance court procedures for fair and efficient case resolution. …