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Ballotpedia, David Schenck

David was born in Syracuse, New York. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and economics from the University at Albany and a law degree from Baylor University. He is a Christian and a member of the Highland Park Methodist Church. He is married and has 2 children.

David previously served as Deputy Attorney General for Legal Counsel in the Office of Attorney General Greg Abbott from 2010 to 2012. He has also worked in private practice.

David J. Schenck was appointed to the Fifth District Court of Appeals by Governor Rick Perry in 2015 and served until 2022. He previously served as Chairman of the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

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As Deputy Attorney General for Legal Counsel, led the team defending the state’s redistricting plans until 2012.

Served as Chairman of the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which oversees the state judiciary.

As Chairman of the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which oversees the state judiciary.

- As Deputy Attorney General for Legal Counsel, led the team defending the state’s redistricting plans until 2012.
- As Chairman of the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which oversees the state judiciary.

Legal Experience

Believes every case important enough to warrant review should be argued remotely if necessary to accommodate health or travel concerns.

Believes the court should hear twice as many cases and decide them within months, not years.

Plans to advocate for an efficient justice system and the implementation of ethics rules.

Believes in keeping judicial systems free from outside influence.

Supports keeping judicial systems free from outside influence.

- Believes every case important enough to warrant review should be argued remotely if necessary to accommodate health or travel concerns.
- Believes the court should hear twice as many cases and decide them within months, not years.
- Plans to advocate for an efficient justice system and the implementation of ethics rules.
- Supports keeping judicial systems free from outside influence.

Judicial Administration

Believes all citizens are entitled to be heard by judges who are free from bias and competent in the law.

Believes in upholding the Constitution, the rule of law, and supporting an honest, competent, and impartial judiciary for all Texans.

Supports upholding the Constitution, the rule of law, and supporting an honest, competent, and impartial judiciary for all Texans.

Believes in strict recusal standards to prevent bias and supports regulating judicial fundraising to ensure impartiality.

- Believes all citizens are entitled to be heard by judges who are free from bias and competent in the law.
- Supports upholding the Constitution, the rule of law, and supporting an honest, competent, and impartial judiciary for all Texans.
- Believes in strict recusal standards to prevent bias and supports regulating judicial fundraising to ensure impartiality.

Judicial Philosophy

Board certified in civil appellate law, a member of the American Law Institute, and a Master of the Bench of the Patrick Higginbotham Inn of Court.

- Board certified in civil appellate law, a member of the American Law Institute, and a Master of the Bench of the Patrick Higginbotham Inn of Court.

Community Involvement

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David J. Schenck

Holly earned a bachelor's degree from Rice University and a law degree and master's degree in public affairs from the University of Texas at Austin. She and her husband John have raised 4 children and have hosted 3 foreign exchange students. They currently reside in Austin, Texas.

Holly currently serves as the director of the Public Integrity and Complex Crimes Division of the Travis County District Attorney's Office. She previously served as assistant director for post-conviction matters and complex litigation support in the Civil Rights Division and has worked as a staff attorney and rules attorney for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. She has also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law.

Ballotpedia, Holly Taylor (Texas)

Holly Taylor's campaign for court of criminal appeals presiding judge is her first run for public office.

As Rules Attorney for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, provided legal guidance on criminal law and procedure.

As rules attorney for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, provided legal guidance on criminal law and procedure.

As a District Attorney, led the Appeals Team and became board certified in criminal appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

As a district attorney, led the Appeals Team and became board certified in criminal appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

As co-chair of the Austin Bar Association’s Continuing Legal Education Committee, organized monthly training events for local attorneys.

Has litigated cases in various courts, including state district courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Supervised the Public Integrity Unit, White Collar Crime Unit, Appeals and Complex Litigation Support Team, Insurance Fraud Teams, Disclosures Unit, Open Records Unit, and Wage Theft Team.

Supervised teams working with the Civil Rights Unit, Conviction Integrity Unit, and Appeals Team.

- As rules attorney for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, provided legal guidance on criminal law and procedure.
- As a district attorney, led the Appeals Team and became board certified in criminal appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
- As co-chair of the Austin Bar Association’s Continuing Legal Education Committee, organized monthly training events for local attorneys.
- Has litigated cases in various courts, including state district courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Supervised the Public Integrity Unit, White Collar Crime Unit, Appeals and Complex Litigation Support Team, Insurance Fraud Teams, Disclosures Unit, Open Records Unit, and Wage Theft Team.
- Supervised teams working with the Civil Rights Unit, Conviction Integrity Unit, and Appeals Team.

Plans to enhance court procedures for fair and efficient case resolution.

Aims to improve judicial administration by collaborating with teams to fix wrongful convictions and tackle civil rights issues.

Aims to collaborate with teams to fix wrongful convictions and tackle civil rights issues.

Believes in "equal justice before the law" and as a prosecutor, focused on "fraud against our government and public officials who abuse their positions."

- Plans to enhance court procedures for fair and efficient case resolution.
- Aims to collaborate with teams to fix wrongful convictions and tackle civil rights issues.
- Believes in "equal justice before the law" and as a prosecutor, focused on "fraud against our government and public officials who abuse their positions."

Believes in safeguarding the independence, impartiality, and integrity of Texas courts.

Believes in "impartiality, equitable treatment, and deference to our State and Federal Constitutions and the rule of law."

- Believes in safeguarding the independence, impartiality, and integrity of Texas courts.
- Believes in "impartiality, equitable treatment, and deference to our State and Federal Constitutions and the rule of law."

Has coached children's soccer teams for many years.

Served as a PTA officer and as president of the high school band parent booster club.

Longtime members of Sonic Guild, a public charity focused on funding the creation and performance of new music by local artists.

Serves as a longtime member of Sonic Guild, a public charity focused on funding the creation and performance of new music by local artists.

Served as a Parent Teacher Association officer and was president of the high school band parent booster club.

Member of the Texas Bar College and the Society of Legal Scholars.

Invited presenter at legal education events, such as the Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals and the Texas State Bar’s Advanced Criminal Law Course.

- Has coached children's soccer teams for many years.
- Served as a PTA officer and as president of the high school band parent booster club.
- Serves as a longtime member of Sonic Guild, a public charity focused on funding the creation and performance of new music by local artists.
- Served as a Parent Teacher Association officer and was president of the high school band parent booster club.
- Member of the Texas Bar College and the Society of Legal Scholars.
- Invited presenter at legal education events, such as the Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals and the Texas State Bar’s Advanced Criminal Law Course.

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Holly Taylor

- The presiding judge of the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals is selected by voters at large. He or she serves in that capacity for a full six-year term. There are no term limits.
- They lead the court and set the agenda for its meetings and decisions, including which cases to hear
- They represent the court in official matters and may speak on behalf of the court in public or with other branches of government.
- They can call all judges together for important cases or to address specific issues.
- Depending on length of office, the presiding judge’s salary is between $168,000 and $201,600.

One of nine judges who serves on the highest appeals court for criminal matters in Texas. 

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge

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Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Community Involvement