Democrat Jerry Zimmerer faces Republican incumbent Scott Brister for chief justice of Texas’ 15th Court of Appeals in the Nov. 3, 2026, election, according to the state’s certified ballot.
Experience
The 14th Court of Appeals’ historical roster lists Zimmerer’s service from 2019 through 2024. The original draft’s 2018 start date confused his election with his service on the court.
Campaign priorities
His joint campaign website with fellow Democratic candidates emphasizes judicial independence, understandable opinions, access for self-represented litigants and timely decisions. These are campaign goals rather than verified measures of future performance.
The reviewed material does not provide a separately costed administrative plan or implementation timetable.
What the court does
The 15th Court of Appeals is a statewide intermediate civil appellate court. It hears specified state-government appeals and appeals from the Texas Business Court, subject to statutory limits and exceptions.
The court’s decisions can affect residents, businesses and agencies involved in those disputes. It is not the state’s highest court and does not have a general criminal appellate docket.
The chief justice leads the court but does not decide every case alone. Judges apply law and precedent; they do not enact statewide tax or spending programs.
This profile uses the certified ballot, official judicial history and published campaign material. It omits unverified endorsements and an extended employment chronology.
The Murphy-Wylie-Sachse Courier did not receive a direct questionnaire response from the candidate and does not endorse candidates.
