Texas Supreme Court Justices

Supreme Court races don’t always garner as much attention as races higher on the ticket, but elections for the Texas Supreme Court have just as significant an impact on your job, your family and your economic future as any other election.  That’s because the courts have the power to rule on laws enacted by the legislature and enforced by the executive branch.  When justices are elected who feel that the power of the courts are beyond that of the other two branches, they go even further – using the Supreme Court as a tool to set their own policy and in effect enact their own laws.

Through the hard work of organizations interested in protecting jobs and future economic opportunities in our state, recent Supreme Court elections have produced favorable results for those seeking conservative values and judicial restraint from our state’s highest court.

In 2010, Texas voters will be faced with important choices regarding the state's highest court with races for the seats held by Justice Harriett O'Neill, Justice Scott Brister and Justice Paul W. Green.

Q&A: Why should you care about Supreme Court races?

Terms of the members of the Texas Supreme Court

* Appointed by Gov. Rick Perry
- The Chief Justice and six Justices are elected to six-year terms on a partisan ballot.

- Appointments are made by the Governor for vacancies that occur between elections.

- A person must be an attorney with at least six years of experience in the practice of law to serve on the Texas Supreme Court.