Kristen Hawkins, a Democrat and Harris County district court judge, is running for Texas Supreme Court Justice, Place 7, in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election against Republican Kyle Hawkins. Both appear on the official certified ballot.
In a Surround Sound Media questionnaire submitted Oct. 4, Hawkins said she is running to bring an independent voice and trial-court experience to the Supreme Court.
Experience and education
Hawkins said she was first elected judge of Harris County’s 11th District Court in 2016 and reelected in 2020 and 2024. Before joining the bench, she practiced general civil litigation and represented people applying for Social Security disability benefits. She also served five years as a Harris County tax master, according to her questionnaire.
She reported a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree, magna cum laude, from South Texas College of Law.
Judicial philosophy and access to justice
“My judicial philosophy is simple: to apply the law equally to everyone who appears before me, and to ensure that juries and their verdicts are respected,” Hawkins wrote. She said she values consistency and predictability in the law.
Hawkins supports retaining judicial elections rather than switching to appointment, arguing that elections give Texans a voice. She said the Supreme Court should select cases important to all Texans and use its rulemaking authority to improve access for people who cannot afford representation.
Asked about campaign contributions, she said her trial-court decisions have rested on facts and law, rather than politics or contributions, and that this would continue if elected.
Responses are based on public data and answers to a Surround Sound Media questionnaire if they were provided.
