About this office
The 15th Court of Appeals didn't exist two years ago. For decades, when Texans sued the State — over an abortion ban, a COVID order, an agency that overstepped — the appeal went to the Austin court, filled mostly with Democratic judges elected by the voters. Those judges frequently ruled against the State, so in 2023 the Republican Legislature created a brand-new statewide court specifically for lawsuits against the State — then used a rule that lets the Governor appoint all judges to any new court. Not one of Abbott's three judges has ever faced the voters for the seat. This November all three are on your ballot: the first and only chance to decide who hears the cases where Texans take on Texas.
Candidates
Jerry ZimmererZimmerer worked twelve years at AT&T before he ever practiced law, spent six years as a Houston appeals judge — and now he's running to lead the brand-new court Republicans built to take the state's cases away from the judges voters elected in Austin.
About Jerry
A Pasadena High grad who went to South Texas College of Law and later earned a master's in health law, he was elected to Houston's 14th Court of Appeals in 2018. His opponent, Scott Brister, is a former Texas Supreme Court justice whom Abbott installed as the 15th Court's first Chief Justice in 2024 — no election. This November is the first time voters get any say over who leads that court.
Scott BristerHe went to Harvard Law, served on the Texas Supreme Court, and was appointed by Greg Abbott to be the first chief justice of a brand-new court created by the Texas legislature.
About Scott
Brister grew up in Waco and has served on a state district court, two courts of appeals, and the Texas Supreme Court. He also chaired the Texas Commission on Public School Finance. The 15th Court of Appeals — newly created in 2023 — hears challenges involving state officials and agencies. Brister was its first appointed chief.