Chari Kelly, a Democrat and justice on the Third Court of Appeals, is running for Texas Supreme Court Justice Place 2 in the Nov. 3 general election. She faces Republican incumbent James P. Sullivan for the remainder of an unexpired term.
Asked why she is running, Kelly said in our questionnaire: "I am running for the Texas Supreme Court because Texans deserve an independent judiciary that applies the law consistently and fairly. After nearly eight years on the Third Court of Appeals, I believe my appellate experience, courtroom background, and record of independence would bring a valuable perspective to our state's highest civil court."
Candidate information
Party: "Democratic Party," Kelly said in our questionnaire.
Family: "I live in Austin with my husband, Adam Schramek, and our three-year-old. Adam is a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright," Kelly said in our questionnaire.
Education: “Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of Florida, 1999, with high honors. Juris Doctor, University of Texas School of Law, 2002.”
Kelly is board certified in Criminal Law and Judicial Administration, according to her official court biography.
Experience and public service
Occupation and work history: "I am a justice on the Texas Third Court of Appeals. Before joining the bench, I served as a U.S. Army JAG Captain and defense attorney, was a paratrooper, served as a Texas Assistant Attorney General, and served as a prosecutor in Comal and Travis counties. I also teach trial procedures at the University of Texas School of Law and have for nearly 20 years," Kelly said in our questionnaire.
Elected office: "Justice, Texas Third Court of Appeals, Place 3. I was elected in 2018 and reelected in 2024. I have served on the court since January 2019," Kelly said in our questionnaire.
Kelly served in the United States Army from 2003 to 2007, reaching the rank of captain in the Judge Advocate General's Corps at Fort Hood, according to Ballotpedia. She served as president of the Austin Bar Association from 2023 to 2024 and as chair of the Austin Bar Foundation from 2024 to 2025, according to Texas Judges.
On the issues
Critical differences from opponent: "I have been a lawyer longer and an appellate judge much longer than my opponent. I am in my eighth year on the Third Court of Appeals and have authored more than 800 opinions. My opponent is in his second year on the Texas Supreme Court after being appointed by Governor Abbott in January 2025," Kelly said in our questionnaire. She added: "I have also been elected twice to my current bench. I am one of only 19 Texas judges board certified in Judicial Administration and am also board certified in Criminal Law."
Accomplishments: "I have authored more than 800 appellate opinions and built a record of independence, including rulings that the Attorney General was not above the law and that the Governor did not have unlimited authority under the Disaster Act," Kelly said in our questionnaire. She also said: "As an Assistant Attorney General, I helped secure a $19.9 million Medicaid fraud settlement for Texas taxpayers."
Judicial philosophy: "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," Kelly said, according to Texas Judges.
Endorsements
Kelly has received the following endorsements, according to Texas Judges, Ballotpedia and BallotReady:
- EMILY's List
- Hispanic Bar Association of Austin
- Austin Black Lawyers Association
- Mexican American Bar Association of Houston
- Travis County Sheriff's Law Enforcement Association
- Texas AFL-CIO
Candidate responses were collected through a Surround Sound News questionnaire for the Murphy-Wylie-Sachse Courier. Questionnaire quotations are excerpted without changing the candidate’s wording.
