Justice, Supreme Court of Texas, Place 2 (Unexpired Term)

Unexpired term. Gov. Greg Abbott appointed James P. Sullivan in January 2025 to the seat Jimmy Blacklock left when he became chief justice. The ballot labels this seat 'Unexpired Term'; the remaining term length was not confirmed in an official source, so termYears is left null. No third-party or write-in candidates appear on the SOS statewide sample ballot or Harris County sample ballot for this seat.Partially researched. Last researched Oct 20, 2026Report a correction

Texas judicial ethics rules limit what judicial candidates may say about issues that could come before them, so this page compares qualifications instead of positions.

James P. Sullivan

RepublicanIncumbent

Chari Kelly

Democratic

Current position

Justice, Supreme Court of Texas, Place 2

Justice, Third Court of Appeals

Years licensed

Not stated in available records.

Board certification

Not stated in available records.

Judicial Administration (Texas Board of Legal Specialization); Criminal Law (Texas Board of Legal Specialization)

Law school

Harvard Law School

University of Texas School of Law

Prior judicial service

Justice, Supreme Court of Texas (2025-present)

Justice, Third Court of Appeals (2019-present)

Practice areas

Appellate litigation; Government law

Criminal prosecution; Military defense (JAG Corps); Medicaid fraud litigation

Bar association poll

State Bar of Texas 2026 Judicial Poll (conducted before March 2026 primaries; vote counts among all candidates then running): 1,508 of 3,620 votes (41.7%)

State Bar of Texas 2026 Judicial Poll (conducted before March 2026 primaries; vote counts among all candidates then running): 2,112 of 3,620 votes (58.3%)

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