Holly Taylor, a Democrat, faces Republican John Messinger for Place 9 on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election, according to the Texas secretary of state’s certified candidate list.

Experience and education

Taylor’s campaign biography describes her as a criminal defense attorney who previously spent more than 17 years as a prosecutor. Her recent Travis County district attorney roles included director of the Public Integrity and Complex Crimes Division and assistant director for post-conviction matters and complex litigation support in the Civil Rights Division.

She previously worked as a staff attorney and rules attorney at the Court of Criminal Appeals and continues to serve on its Rules Committee, according to her campaign. She taught advanced legal writing as an adjunct at the University of Texas School of Law from 2018 to 2020.

Her campaign lists a bachelor’s degree from Rice University, a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s in public affairs from UT’s LBJ School. It also lists board certification in criminal appellate law and admission to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Campaign priorities

On her campaign website, Taylor says she wants to bring an independent voice to the court and ensure criminal cases receive thorough, fair review. She emphasizes the Constitution, the rule of law and treating people with dignity. These positions come from her campaign materials; no submitted Surround Sound Media questionnaire response was available for this profile.

Responses are based on public data and answers to a Surround Sound Media questionnaire if they were provided.