Republican Jimmy Blacklock faces Democrat Maggie Ellis in the Nov. 3, 2026, election for chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court, according to the state’s certified ballot.
Experience
Blacklock joined the Supreme Court in 2018 and became chief justice by appointment in January 2025, according to the governor’s announcement. He previously served as Gov. Greg Abbott’s general counsel and worked at the Texas attorney general’s office.
His campaign biography lists degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and Yale Law School.
Judicial approach
Blacklock advocates applying legal text and the Constitution’s original meaning. He says judges should respect the judiciary’s limited role rather than substitute personal policy preferences for decisions made through the political process.
Those are his stated principles, not a guarantee of how he would decide a particular case.
What the court does
The Texas Judicial Branch’s overview identifies the Supreme Court as the state’s highest appellate court for civil and juvenile matters. Criminal appeals go to a separate court.
The court’s rulings can affect property, business, family and government disputes statewide. The chief justice works with other justices in deciding cases; the office does not enact legislation or set local tax rates.
This profile uses the certified ballot, official records and Blacklock’s campaign statements.
The Flower Mound Times did not receive a direct questionnaire response from the candidate and does not endorse candidates.
