Laurie grew up in San Antonio, the daughter of a widowed schoolteacher who was a career-long member of her union. (Laurie herself is a longtime member of AFSCME). Laurie moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in 1986 and Juris Doctor in 1990. Laurie and her wife Jess live in central Austin, where they enjoy vegetable gardening and making music.

About Laurie Eiserloh

Laurie Eiserloh grew up in San Antonio. She earned a bachelor's degree in 1986 and a law degree in 1990 from the University of Texas. Laurie lives with her wife, Jess, in central Austin.

Laurie grew up in San Antonio. She earned a bachelor's degree in 1986 and a law degree in 1990 from the University of Texas. Laurie lives with her wife, Jess, in central Austin.

Laurie Eiserloh is the Judge of the 455th Civil District Court, a former trial attorney of nearly thirty years, and a lifelong Democrat. Previously, Laurie led the Employment Team in the Civil Litigation Division of the Travis County Attorney’s Office. She has served as a litigator and general counsel for the City of Austin, the State of Texas, and in the private sector at the local law firm Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever, and McDaniel. She is board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Labor & Employment Law and Personal Injury Trial Law.

Laurie previously led the Employment Team in the Civil Litigation Division of the Travis County Attorney’s Office and served as a litigator and general counsel for the City of Austin, the State of Texas, and Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever, and McDaniel. She is board-certified in labor and employment law and personal injury trial law.

Many races in the county were uncontested. Two Travis County commissioners, Precinct 4 Commissioner Margaret Gómez and Precinct 2 Commissioner Brigid Shea, are keeping their seats after running unopposed. Dyana Limon-Mercado, the former chair of the Travis County Democratic Party, won the seat for county clerk. The Travis County Clerk’s office is responsible for conducting elections in the county, among other responsibilities. Democrat Laurie Eiserloh defeated incumbent Cleve Doty in the race to become district judge of the 455th civil district court. She is presumed to be the first openly LGBTQ judge to hold a district judge seat in Texas. See more results below. Results are considered unofficial until they're canvassed by local officials.

Travis County: 2022 General Election Results | KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station

Laurie currently serves as the judge of the 455th Civil District Court. She defeated incumbent Cleve Doty to become district judge of the court.

Laurie Eiserloh currently serves as the judge of the 455th Civil District Court. She defeated incumbent Cleve Doty to become district judge of the court.

2026 Texas General Election

Worked as a trial attorney for nearly 30 years.

Led the Employment Team in the Civil Litigation Division of the Travis County Attorney’s Office.

Served as a litigator and general counsel for the City of Austin, the State of Texas, and Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever, and McDaniel.

- Worked as a trial attorney for nearly 30 years.
- Led the Employment Team in the Civil Litigation Division of the Travis County Attorney’s Office.
- Served as a litigator and general counsel for the City of Austin, the State of Texas, and Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever, and McDaniel.

Legal Experience

I am running for a second term on the bench because I want to build on the work I have already started and make the Travis County courts accessible to all.

Elect Laurie Eiserloh for Judge – Travis County 455th Civil District Court

Wants to make Travis County courts accessible to all.

- Wants to make Travis County courts accessible to all.

Judicial Administration

It’s from personal experience that Laurie knows the profound impact the judiciary can have on people’s lives and the importance of empathy, compassion, and fairness from the bench.

Believes the bench requires empathy, compassion, and fairness.

- Believes the bench requires empathy, compassion, and fairness.

Judicial Philosophy

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

Ethics & Conduct

As Judge of Travis County’s 455th Civil District Court, I serve on a task force to protect domestic violence survivors from guns, I ensure that marriage ceremonies are available to all, and I support Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas, an organization that provides legal services to marginalized members of our community.

Serves on a task force to protect domestic violence survivors from gun violence.

Supports Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas, which provides legal services to marginalized community members.

- Serves on a task force to protect domestic violence survivors from gun violence.
- Supports Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas, which provides legal services to marginalized community members.

Community Involvement

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
    <meta charset="utf-8">
    <title>Application Error</title>
    <style media="screen">
      html,body,iframe {
        margin: 0;
        padding: 0;
      }

      html,body {
        height: 100%;
        overflow: hidden;
      }

      iframe {
        width: 100%;
        height: 100%;
        border: 0;
      }
    </style>
  </head>
  <body>
    <iframe src="https://www.herokucdn.com/error-pages/application-error.html"></iframe>
  </body>
</html>

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

Laurie Eiserloh

- Supports Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas, which provides legal services to marginalized community members.

Laurie Eiserloh is from San Antonio, Texas. She has a bachelor 27s degree from the University of Texas and a law degree from the University of Texas. She and her wife, Jess, live in Austin.

Laurie is a judge for the 455th Civil District Court in Travis County. Before taking the bench, she was a trial attorney for nearly thirty years. She previously led the Employment Team in the Civil Litigation Division of the Travis County Attorney's Office. She has also served as a litigator and general counsel for the City of Austin, the State of Texas, and the local law firm Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever, and McDaniel. Early in her career, she was the executive director of the Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby of Texas (now Equality Texas), where she lobbied the Texas Legislature for the rights of LGBTQ Texans. 

Laurie is currently the judge of the 455th Civil District Court in Travis County.

Board-certified in Labor & Employment Law and Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, dedicated to professionalism and civility in the courtroom and the integrity of the jury trial.

Graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in 1986 and a Juris Doctor in 1990.

For Candidate Laurie Eiserloh on Issue judicial-administration: Aims to handle a wide variety of cases, including those involving self-represented litigants fighting for their basic rights.

Believes that access to justice is a fundamental right for all and has a history of advocating for marginalized communities, including domestic violence survivors and immigrants.

Believes in advocating for recent immigrants and those experiencing homelessness.

Supports the Trinity Center, which assists people experiencing homelessness.

Served on the board of El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission, which provides critical assistance to the working poor.

Served on the boards of the Austin Center for Child Guidance and AIDS Services of Austin.

Buket Urgen

Mauricio Mendez

- District judges manage Texas district courts, which are trial courts with general jurisdiction, and have exclusive authority over felony cases. A judge may be presiding over a civil, criminal, juvenile, or special court. They also share jurisdiction with Texas county courts.
- Texas has over 470 district courts, each presided over by a single judge. Some courts cover multiple counties, while others are assigned to single counties based on population size.
- District judges are elected through partisan elections for four-year terms. Candidates must be between 25 and 75 years old, have lived in the district for at least 2 years, and be licensed lawyers with at least 4 years' experience.
- The annual salary for district judges ranges from $175,000 to $245,500, depending on years of service.

Presides over a trial court with general jurisdiction. 