Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9: 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.
Office role sources
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JOHN MESSINGER
Running for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9 · Texas
StateRepublican Party / Partido Republicano
HOLLY TAYLOR
Running for Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 9 · Texas
StateDemocratic Party / Partido Demócrata
Job fit
JOHN MESSINGER
- His campaign biography says he worked at the McLennan County District Attorney’s Office after law school and moved to Pflugerville in 2011 to work at the Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney. 1
- His campaign biography reports over 120 petitions for discretionary review filed and representation of the State in over 90 cases granted review by the Court of Criminal Appeals. 1
- His campaign biography reports representing the State in over 150 intermediate appellate cases and presenting oral argument in over 45 cases, including 26 before the Court of Criminal Appeals. 1
HOLLY TAYLOR
- The October 2026 editorial reported Taylor was board certified in criminal appellate law and had served as a Court of Criminal Appeals staff attorney and Travis County Public Integrity and Complex Crimes Division director. 2
- Taylor joined the Travis County District Attorney’s appellate division in 1999 and transferred to special prosecutions 11 years later. 3
- Taylor worked on the response to Rosa Jimenez’s appeal after her 2005 conviction; Taylor’s name appeared on the state’s motion opposing the appeal. 3
Past rulings
We haven't found past rulings for either candidate yet.
Who pays them
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Checks
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Based on current data. May change in a future update.
Sources
- ABOUT JOHN - MessingerForJustice.com · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Experience
- For Court of Criminal Appeals: Anyiam, Yeary, Taylor · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Experience
- Holly Taylor's past wrongful conviction cases shape Texas ... · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Experience