Republican Thomas Smith is running for Place 3 on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in the Nov. 3, 2026 general election. The state’s certified ballot also lists Democrat Okey Anyiam and Libertarian Mark Ash.
The statewide contest includes voters in Southlake, Colleyville, Grapevine and Westlake.
Experience and education
According to his campaign biography, Smith began his legal career as a clerk to Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer. He joined Jones Day’s Dallas office in 1998, became counsel to then-state Sen. Ken Paxton in 2013 and has worked in the Texas attorney general’s office since 2015, including as special assistant attorney general for criminal justice.
His biography lists a University of Akron degree in 1993, an Ohio State law degree in 1996 and a University of Texas at Austin master’s degree in public affairs in 2013.
Campaign priorities
On his campaign website, Smith advocates a limited judicial philosophy focused on the Constitution and rule of law. He identifies crime victims’ interests and protecting children as priorities.
Responses are based on public data and answers to a Surround Sound Media questionnaire if they were provided.
