Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 3: who gets your vote?
What this role does
This court reviews civil and criminal appeals from trial courts in its region, except cases in which the death penalty is imposed.
The justices review trial-court decisions rather than hold a new trial.
- Civil appeals
- Criminal appeals
- Reviewing trial-court decisions
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.
AI can make mistakes. Check the source links.
VERONICA RIVAS-MOLLOY
Running for Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 3 · Texas
StateDemocratic Party / Partido Demócrata
TODD FRANKFORT
Running for Justice, 1st Court of Appeals District, Place 3 · Texas
StateRepublican Party / Partido Republicano
Job fit
VERONICA RIVAS-MOLLOY
- Elected to the First Court of Appeals in November 2020, Rivas-Molloy has authored hundreds of majority opinions and worked on appeals involving civil, criminal, probate and family law. 1
- Before joining the court, she spent 20 years as a litigator and appellate attorney, representing clients in complex business disputes in Texas, elsewhere in the United States and internationally. 1
- She began as a judicial clerk for federal district Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. in the Southern District of Texas, then practiced at Baker Botts and Jones Walker. 1
TODD FRANKFORT
- The Houston Chronicle editorial board reported on February 10, 2026, that Frankfort had 28 years of family law experience. 2
- The Chronicle reported in February 2026 that Frankfort specialized in divorces with complex property divisions and custody matters and was board certified in family law. 2
- The Chronicle reported on May 17, 2026, that Frankfort taught at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. 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
- TJB | 1st COA | About The Court | Justices | Justice Veronica Rivas-Molloy · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Experience
- Todd Frankfort for 1st Court of Appeals Place 3 in ... · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Experience
- Alison Fox and Todd Frankfort in Republican appellate ... · checked 2026-10-31 used in: Experience