Texas elects first woman, openly LGBTQ+ person to lead state Supreme Court
Signage outside the Supreme Court of Texas in Austin, Texas, US, on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Each of the five Texas business court divisions already has two judges appointed by Abbott, a prospect that all but guarantees the first jurists will reflect h
AUSTIN, Texas - It was a historic election night in Texas, with many firsts and political shifts taking place, including in the statewide courts.
What we know:
Democrat Maggie Ellis became the first woman elected to lead the state’s highest civil court after defeating Republican incumbent Jimmy Blacklock in the race for Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice.
She also is the first openly LGBTQ+ person elected statewide in Texas, according to her campaign.
"Texas, we made history. As a mom, I can't help but think about what this means for the next generation of Texas kids," Ellis said. "I want every child growing up in this state to know that no door is closed to them because of who they are, where they come from, or who they love."
The backstory:
Ellis served as a school teacher before later becoming an attorney and appellate justice.
Ellis' plans as Chief Justice
What's next:
As Chief Justice, she said she plans to revisit the court’s orders regarding same-sex marriage. She also intends to work with state leaders and lawmakers to "expand access to justice and increase funding for indigent defense."
"Justice shouldn't depend on your bank account, your last name, or who you know," Ellis said. "I'm ready to work with anyone who believes every Texan deserves a fair shake in our courts."
Featured
Five major takeaways from Texas’ 2026 midterm election results
Democrats dismantled three decades of GOP control in Texas, winning key statewide races, flipping Dallas suburbs and border counties, and blocking House gains.
Major victories for Democrats
Big picture view:
Democrats, all of them women, secured four other open seats on the Texas Supreme Court. This shifts the nine-member bench to a female majority and breaks a Republican hold on the court.
Democratic candidates also captured wins in key statewide races, including for governor, lieutenant governor and U.S. Senate.
The Source: The information in this article comes from a news release from Maggie Ellis' campaign.