Democratic and Republican candidates are vying for seats on the Texas Court of Appeals

By Audrey Valenzuela | Staff writer

One of the key races drawing attention this election season is the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the state’s highest criminal court.

The CCA serves as the final appellate court for all criminal cases in Texas, particularly those involving serious crimes, including capital punishment.

The court consists of nine judges, including a presiding judge, and is elected nationwide for a six-year term. Each year, voters have the opportunity to elect a portion of the court’s judges, with terms staggered to ensure continuity.

Given Texas’ size and high criminal caseload, CCA’s decisions impact not only defendants and law enforcement, but also the broader framework of Texas jurisprudence. Its decisions can set nationwide precedents and impact issues such as constitutional rights, law enforcement practices and trial standards.

Three positions in the CCA are available: the presiding judge or place 1, place 7 and place 8.

With issues such as the death penalty, bail reform and wrongful convictions in the spotlight, the results of this election will have a significant impact on the legal landscape in Texas. Additionally, with increasing public interest in how the courts impact social justice, civil rights and public safety, voters are more likely to join this crucial race in 2024.

Republican David Schenck is running against Democrat Holly Taylor for Chief Judge or Place 1, a position currently held by Judge Sharon Keller.

Schenck is a Baylor Law graduate and has more than 25 years of experience in private practice and public service.

“If I am elected, I will work for an efficient justice system,” said Schenck during the election campaign. “I have made it a centerpiece of my campaign as I run for the seat of Chief Judge of the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.”

Democrat Holly Taylor, meanwhile, is known for her commitment to public integrity and civil rights. She is the deputy director of the Civil Rights Division of the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, focusing on appeals and wrongful convictions.

“As a candidate to lead the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, I offer a unique combination of experience and values ​​to meet the needs and challenges of this critical position,” Taylor said in her campaign. “Years of legal experience … have prepared me to take on the important work of the Texas Court of Appeals today.”

Republican Gina Parker, a Waco-based attorney, is running against Democrat Nancy Mulder, a Dallas judge, for Seat 7, currently held by Judge Barbara Hervey.

Parker has more than 30 years of successful legal practice and has built her campaign based on a strict constitutional approach. Parker, a Baylor Law graduate, said she plans to speak about the importance and functioning of Texas’ two highest courts, the Supreme Court and the CCA.

“I will work to enforce change by upholding the rule of law and never legislating from the bench, and increasing the number and timeliness of opinions written and the number of oral arguments scheduled for hearing,” Parker said. “Additionally, [I will] Consider limiting the amount of donations made by lawyers and litigants who appear in court.”

According to Mulder’s campaign website, she has “more than 20 years of combined law and justice experience” and is currently presiding over Texas Criminal District Court 6. Mulder represents fairness, preparedness and dignity to ensure her clients get what they get what they deserve court.

“Everyone has a right to a fair day in court and a trial that treats them with dignity,” Mulder’s campaign said.

Democratic Judge Chika Anyiam and Republican Lee Finley are running for Place 8.

Anyiam currently presides over the Texas Criminal District Court No. 7 in Dallas County. She made history in 2018 when she became the first African immigrant to be elected district judge in Dallas.

“I go to work every day honored to be able to serve my community and be part of the justice system that is so fundamental to our society in this country,” Anyiam said. “I am running for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals because we need changes in our statewide courts to provide more perspective and legal experience.”

Lee Finley, a licensed attorney with over 20 years of experience in Collin County and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, has extensive experience in the legal system, indigent defense and mental health cases.

“Lee Finley will serve the Texas Court of Appeals with honor and integrity. He will strictly interpret our Constitution and respect the rule of law,” his campaign page says.