Democrat Gerald “Jerry” Zimmerer faces Republican Scott Brister for chief justice of Texas’ 15th Court of Appeals in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election, according to the secretary of state’s certified candidate list.
Legal experience
Zimmerer served on Houston’s 14th Court of Appeals from 2019 through 2024, according to the court’s list of former justices. The State Bar of Texas lists his Texas law license date as Nov. 2, 1984.
In a September 2026 professional article he co-authored about mediation, Zimmerer’s biography describes him as an arbitrator and mediator. It lists a law degree from South Texas College of Law Houston and two master of laws degrees from the University of Houston, in health law and international law.
Candidate responses
No submitted Surround Sound Media questionnaire response was available for this profile. The biographical information above comes from court records, the State Bar and a professional article written by the candidate.
Responses are based on public data and answers to a Surround Sound Media questionnaire if they were provided.





