2026 Texas General Election

Cory Liu

Cory Liu is from Austin, Texas. He has a bachelor 27s degree in political science and philosophy from the University of Chicago and a law degree from Harvard Law School.

Cory is a judge on the 250th District Court in Travis County, Texas. He previously served as assistant general counsel for the Office of the Governor, where he worked on regulatory matters and legislation. He also worked at law firms in Houston and Austin, focusing on legal matters involving businesses and government entities. Earlier in his career, he clerked for judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the Fifth Circuit. He also worked for the Texas Solicitor General's Office, the Texas Supreme Court, the U.S. Senate, and the Office of the Governor. 

Cory is currently a district judge presiding over the 250th District Court in Travis County.

As of July 22, 2026, Cory Liu’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Buket Urgen

Cory is from Austin, Texas. He attended Oak Hill Elementary School, Kealing Middle School, and the Liberal Arts and Science Academy High School. He has a bachelor's degree in political science and philosophy from the University of Chicago and a law degree from Harvard Law School.

Cory is a state district court judge. He works at the 250th District Court in Travis County, Texas, where he presides over civil cases involving business disputes, personal injury, real estate, family law, and government regulations. He previously clerked for Judge Danny Boggs on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and Judge Andrew Oldham on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He also served as Assistant General Counsel for the Office of the Governor, working on regulatory matters and legislation during the 2019 legislative session, and practiced law at firms in Houston and Austin advising businesses and government entities.

Has provided legal counsel to the Texas Senate and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, the Texas Ethics Commission, and the Texas General Land Office under the leadership of Commissioners Dawn Buckingham and George P. Bush.

Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Supports a "colorblind Constitution" that promotes unity and opposes discrimination.

Judicial Philosophy

Supports having Edward J. Blum, the founder of Students for Fair Admissions, endorse and serve as treasurer for his campaign.

Ethics & Conduct

Opposes affirmative action in university admissions.

Community Involvement

Darlene Byrne

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Darlene Byrne is from Texas. She has a law degree from the University of Houston. She lives in Austin with her husband, Dan, and is the mother and mother-in-law of five adult children.

UH Law Center Alumni Judges - University of Houston

Texas Judicial Candidate Comparisons | Texas Judges

Before taking the bench, Darlene practiced law for 13 years, focusing on employment, commercial, and governmental entity litigation. She also served as general counsel for the Office of the Governor, law clerk for the Texas Supreme Court.

TJB | 3rd COA | About The Court | Justices

Darlene is currently the Chief Justice of the Third Court of Appeals. She was first elected to this position in 2020. Before that, she served for 20 years as the presiding judge of the 126th District Court of Travis County.

Fixing the Foster Care System: An Interview with Judge Darlene Byrne

As a district court judge, presided over civil matters and foster children in Travis County.

As a district court judge, received local, statewide, and national recognition for work serving foster children and families and for court improvement efforts.

As a state district judge, Byrne founded the Travis County Family Drug Treatment Court and the Travis County Model Court of Children, Youth and Families.

Supports the use of mediation in court proceedings, and said "We have also done a cost-benefit study on mediation and how we use mediations in our County, in conjunction with the University of Texas. It showed that our mediation strategy is saving the county $1. 5 million every year."

Supports equal access to justice regardless of wealth, nationality, gender, race, or language.

Served on the Advisory Committee for the national #WeToo project for Courts.

Board chair of TEXProtects and co-chair of the National Leadership Council of National CASA.

Serves on the advisory boards of the Seedling Foundation, Partnerships for Children, and Carrying Hope.

- In Texas, appeals from district and county courts, except death penalty cases, go to one of 14 intermediate courts of appeal.
- The chief justice presides over court meetings, manages the court's administration, and has the authority to assign justices or judges to specific cases.
- Justices are elected in partisan elections for six-year terms.
- The yearly salary for a Court of Appeals justice in Texas is between $192,500 and $255,050 based on the total number of years they have served, plus an additional bonus of $13,475 for Chief Justice duties.

Oversees a court that handles appeals of lower trial court decisions.

Texas Court of Appeals Chief Justice, Division 3

Candidates (2)