Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3: who gets your vote?
What this role does
The Court of Criminal Appeals is Texas’s highest court for criminal cases. Its judges review criminal cases at the final state appellate level.
Its decisions guide how criminal law is interpreted and applied.
- Highest state criminal court
- Criminal appeals
Read about them. Then tap a button to pick one. You can change it later.
Data last updated: Oct 31, 2026 (state and local ballot sources). Verify approaching elections with your state election office.
Our reading of the duties, not an official requirement. Doesn't rank or recommend anyone.
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OKEY ANYIAM
Running for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3 · Texas
StateDemocratic Party / Partido Demócrata
THOMAS SMITH
Running for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 3 · Texas
StateRepublican Party / Partido Republicano
Job fit
OKEY ANYIAM
- Anyiam was licensed to practice law in Texas in 1997. 1
- His campaign says he has represented thousands of people in Texas proceedings involving trials, dismissals, plea bargains, and rehabilitation and diversion programs. 1
- The Houston Chronicle's October 11, 2026 editorial reported 28 years of criminal defense work in Dallas and 10 years of legal work in Nigeria. 2
THOMAS SMITH
- Smith began his legal career as a law clerk to Thomas J. Moyer, chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. 3
- In 1998, Smith joined Jones Day's Dallas office, practicing civil law before becoming counsel to then-senator Ken Paxton in 2013. 3
- Smith's campaign biography reports service in the Texas Attorney General's office beginning in 2015, including as a Special Assistant Attorney General for Criminal Justice. 3
Past rulings
We haven't found past rulings for either candidate yet.
Who pays them
We haven’t finished researching campaign money.
Checks
No checks have run for either candidate yet.
Based on current data. May change in a future update.
Sources
- About · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Experience, Top issues
- For Court of Criminal Appeals: Anyiam, Yeary, Taylor · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Experience
- Thomas Smith for Judge - Texas Court of Criminal Appeals · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Experience
Show 1 more running
0/2 selected
View comparison ↑Pick any two candidates below. Your second selection updates the comparison automatically. “Shown above” marks the current cards, not a selection. Comparison selections do not change your pick.
OKEY ANYIAM
Democratic Party / Partido DemócrataShown aboveAnyiam was licensed to practice law in Texas in 1997. 1
His campaign says he has represented thousands of people in Texas proceedings involving trials, dismissals, plea bargains, and rehabilitation and diversion programs. 2
The Houston Chronicle's October 11, 2026 editorial reported 28 years of criminal defense work in Dallas and 10 years of legal work in Nigeria. 3
We haven’t finished researching campaign money.
We haven’t finished researching voting records.
His campaign seeks a fair, independent judiciary. 4
Sources
1 Background: okeyanyiamforjudge.com · checked Oct 31
2 Background: okeyanyiamforjudge.com · checked Oct 31
3 Background: houstonchronicle.com · checked Oct 31
4 Positions: okeyanyiamforjudge.com · saved source
THOMAS SMITH
Republican Party / Partido RepublicanoShown aboveSmith began his legal career as a law clerk to Thomas J. Moyer, chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. 1
In 1998, Smith joined Jones Day's Dallas office, practicing civil law before becoming counsel to then-senator Ken Paxton in 2013. 2
Smith's campaign biography reports service in the Texas Attorney General's office beginning in 2015, including as a Special Assistant Attorney General for Criminal Justice. 3
We haven’t finished researching campaign money.
We haven’t finished researching voting records.
We haven’t finished researching stated positions.
Sources
1 Background: smithfortexas.org · checked Oct 31
2 Background: smithfortexas.org · checked Oct 31
3 Background: smithfortexas.org · checked Oct 31
MARK ASH
Libertarian Party / Partido LibertarioThe State Bar profile lists Mark J. Ash at Mark Ash & Associates PC in Houston, with criminal law as his practice area. 1
His State Bar profile gives May 7, 1993, as his Texas license date. 2
His State Bar profile lists graduation from South Texas College of Law in December 1992. 3
We haven’t finished researching campaign money.
We haven’t finished researching voting records.
We haven’t finished researching stated positions.
Sources
1 Background: texasbar.com · checked Oct 31
2 Background: texasbar.com · checked Oct 31
3 Background: texasbar.com · checked Oct 31