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 | |||
| 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 |
| 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 | |||
| Appellate Judicial Experience | Texas Supreme Court, since 2025 | ||
| Other Judicial Experience | |||
| Board Certifications | Criminal Law 2016 Judicial Administration 2025 | ||
| Courts Admitted |
| 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 | |||
| Prior Elections | 2018 General Election 54% vs Scott Field (R) | ||
| Most Recent Bar Polls | 2026 - 2112 58% | 2026 - 1508 42% | |
| Key Endorsements (Max 5) | Texas AFL-CIO | Texas Civil Justice League PAC | |
| Judicial Philosophy (Max 250 words) | My highest priority is ensuring that every matter appealed is timely, thoroughly, and fairly decided. To accomplish this, it is paramount to have experienced criminal and civil attorneys on the bench since the docket of the Third Court of Appeals is divided between criminal and civil law. I would bring this much-needed experience to the Court. I will apply the law fairly and impartially to all citizens regardless of race, color or creed, and my decisions will be guided by controlling legal authority and I will not legislate from the bench. | ||
| Misc | U.S. Army Veteran and former paratrooper | Articles Editor, Harvard Law Review | |
| Date Submitted by Candidate | Gathered from public sources | Gathered from public sources |
