2026 Texas General Election

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Texas Judicial Candidate Comparisons | Texas Judges

Amy Guerra is originally from Chicago, Illinois. She earned a bachelor's degree in latin american studies and sociology from Rice University and a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. Amy lives with her husband, Cesar, and three kids in Houston, Texas.

Amy is a justice on the Texas First Court of Appeals. She previously served as an associate municipal judge for the City of Houston while practicing law full time. Before taking the bench, she worked in law firms of various sizes, including small, mid-size, and large firms. She ultimately became the first Hispanic partner at her law firm. Amy has nearly 20 years of experience handling complex civil cases in state and federal trial and appellate courts throughout Texas and other states. She represented all types of clients, from individuals and families to businesses of all sizes, including some of the largest corporations in the world. 

Amy previously worked as a partner for Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP. She also worked as an of counsel attorney for Winstead PC; an associate municipal judge for the city of Houston; an associate of Beirne, Maynard & Parsons, L.L.P.; and a judicial law clerk for U.S. District Judge Filemon Vela.

Amparo is currently a justice on the Texas First Court of Appeals. She was first elected in 2020. She previously served as an associate municipal judge for the City of Houston.

Texas elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia

Directory of the Courts

Amy is currently the justice of the Texas First District Court of Appeals in Place 5. She was elected in 2020 and is in her first term.

As a justice in the Texas First District Court of Appeals for five years, has delivered 222 signed opinions based on evidence and disposed of 497 cases of varying types, including personal injury, business, family, probate, election, and juvenile cases.

As a associate municipal judge for the city of Houston for seven years, oversaw cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations, conducted preliminary hearings in criminal cases, issued search and arrest warrants, and determined sentencing in certain minor criminal cases.

- As a justice in the Texas First District Court of Appeals for five years, has delivered 222 signed opinions based on evidence and disposed of 497 cases of varying types, including personal injury, business, family, probate, election, and juvenile cases.
- As a associate municipal judge for the city of Houston for seven years, oversaw cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations, conducted preliminary hearings in criminal cases, issued search and arrest warrants, and determined sentencing in certain minor criminal cases.

Legal Experience

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

Judicial Administration

Said, "I decide each case before me impartially, efficiently, and with faithfulness to the rule of law."

- Said, "I decide each case before me impartially, efficiently, and with faithfulness to the rule of law."

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Amy Guerra

Buket Urgen

Jessica was raised in Dallas and moved to Houston in 1995. She holds a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center.

Jessica has spent over 26 years as an Assistant District Attorney at the Harris County District Attorney's Office, where she has worked since 1998.

Jessica Caird's campaign for Texas Court of Appeals Justice, Division 1, Republican Primary is her first entry into politics.

Greg Degeyter, Author at Big Jolly Politics

As Chief of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office Appellate Division, oversees criminal and civil appellate matters.

- As Chief of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office Appellate Division, oversees criminal and civil appellate matters.

Supports a de novo review process for bond issues in the Court of Appeals and emphasizes the need for crime victims to have a means to challenge bond decisions that affect them.

- Supports a de novo review process for bond issues in the Court of Appeals and emphasizes the need for crime victims to have a means to challenge bond decisions that affect them.

Believes in interpreting the United States and Texas Constitutions as written, emphasizing the importance of applying the law faithfully as enacted by the legislature.

Believes that the appellate court's role is to ensure justice is served by upholding valid convictions.

- Believes in interpreting the United States and Texas Constitutions as written, emphasizing the importance of applying the law faithfully as enacted by the legislature.
- Believes that the appellate court's role is to ensure justice is served by upholding valid convictions.

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

Jessica Caird

- In Texas, appeals from district and county courts, except death penalty cases, go to one of 14 intermediate courts of appeal.
- There are a total of 80 appellate court seats, distributed variably among the courts based on population across the 14 districts.
- Courts with more than three justices decide cases in rotating panels of three.
- 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.

Hears appeals on orders and decisions made by lower trial courts.

Texas Court of Appeals Justice, Division 1, Post 5

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Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement