Uncontested in Republican primary
Uncontested in Democratic primary
These candidates will face each other in the November general election
| Court & Place | Democrat | Republican | Notes/Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Chari Kelly (D-Austin)
| James Sullivan* (R-Austin)
| Candidate (L) | |
| Campaign Mailing Address | Chari Kelly Campaign
PO Box 161151 Austin, TX 78716 | Judge James P. Sullivan Campaign | |
| Campaign Phone | (512) 850-6914
| ||
| Campaign Website | charikelly.com | judgesully.com | |
| Bar Card Number | 24057939 | 00000008 | |
| Social Media Links | twitter | twitter | |
| Current Occupation | Justice, 3rd Court of Appeals, Place 3 | Supreme Court Justice, Place 2 | |
| Years of Texas Residency | 27 years | Native Texan | |
| JD School & Year | University of Texas School of Law 2002 | Harvard Law School, 2006 | |
| Other Education | B.A., University of Florida 1999 | B.A., Rice University, 2003 | |
| Year of State Bar Licensure | 2007 | 2009 | |
| Legal Experience - Nonjudicial | •Asst. District Attorney, Travis County District Attorney, Austin, Texas (2015 – 2018) •Asst. District Attorney, Comal County Criminal District Attorney, New Braunfels, Texas (2013 –2015) •Asst. Attorney General, Texas Attorney General, Civil Medicaid Fraud Division (2008 – 2013) •Adjunct Professor, The University of Texas School of Law, (2007 – present) •Research Attorney, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (2007– 2008) •Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) Officer, Trial Defense Service, U.S. Army, Fort Sam Houston and Fort Hood, Texas (2003 – 2007) •Law Clerk, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (2002) | •General Counsel to the Governor, 2021-2025 •Deputy General Counsel, 2018-2021 •Senior Associate, King & Spalding, 2014-2018 •Assistant Solicitor General of Texas, 2009-2014 •Appellate Litigator, private practice •Adjunct professor, George Mason University, 2009 | |
| Jury Trial Experience | more than 35 jury trials as JAG Officer and Assistant District Attorney | ||
| Appellate Judicial Experience | Justice, Third Court of Appeals, since 2019 Authored more than 800 appellate opinions | Texas Supreme Court, since 2025 | |
| Other Judicial Experience | |||
| Board Certifications | Criminal Law 2016 Judicial Administration 2025 | ||
| Courts Admitted | U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces U.S. Dist. Court, Eastern Dist. of Texas U.S. Dist. Court, Northern Dist. of Texas U.S. Dist. Court, Western Dist. of Texas | US Supreme Court District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Texas Eastern District Court Texas Northern District Court Texas Western District Court Texas Southern District Court | |
| Honors and Awards | Chair, Austin Bar Foundation, 2024 – 2025 President, Austin Bar Association, 2023–24 Outstanding Mentor of Texas, Texas Young Lawyers Association, 2023 Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association Pathfinders Award, 2023 & Government Service Award, May 2020 Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Outstanding DWI Prosecutor of the Year (Travis County), 2018 U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal | ||
| Prior Elections | 2024 General Election, 3rd Court of Appeals Unopposed 2018 General Election, 3rd Court of Appeals 54% vs Scott Field (R) | ||
| Most Recent Bar Polls | 2026 - 2112 58% | 2026 - 1508 42% | |
| Key Endorsements (Max 5) | Texas AFL-CIO Emily's List Hispanic Bar Association of Austin Austin Black Lawyers Association Mexican American Bar Association of Houston | Texas Civil Justice League PAC | |
| Judicial Philosophy (Max 250 words) | My judicial philosophy is grounded in fairness, independence, respect for the Constitution, fidelity to the law, careful attention to the record, and clear writing. I decide cases based on the law, the record, and the arguments presented, not politics, favoritism, prejudice, or personal preference. I apply that philosophy by reading carefully, asking disciplined questions, respecting precedent, and writing opinions that explain the Court’s reasoning. | ||
| Misc | U.S. Army veteran; former JAG Captain and paratrooper.
Has taught trial advocacy at The University of Texas School of Law for nearly 20 years | Articles Editor, Harvard Law Review | |
| Date Submitted by Candidate | Gathered from public sources | Gathered from public sources |
