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2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas Primary Election

Democrat

Republican

2026 Texas Primary Runoff

Jim Chapman

Walter Ley

Jim Chapman is from Ellis County, Texas. He has a bachelor 27s degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University, a law degree from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, and a master 27s degree in business administration from the Yale School of Management.

Judge's Biography | Ellis County, TX Official Website

Staff Directory • Government

Jim Chapman (Ellis County Court at Law No. 1, Texas, candidate ...

Jim is a judge for the Ellis County Court at Law. He has served in this role since 2011. Before becoming a judge, he practiced law at Chapman & Chapman LLP from 1991 to 2010. 

Jim is currently a judge for the Ellis County Court at Law No. 1. He was re-elected in 2014.

As a judge of the Ellis County Court at Law since 2011 and a partner at Chapman & Chapman LLP from 1991 to 2010, Chapman has extensive legal experience in both judicial and private practice settings.

Legal Experience

As of January 22, 2026, Jim Chapman’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

Served as Chair or President of multiple organizations, including the Waxahachie Community Development Corporation and the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce.

Community Involvement

- A County Court-At-Law judge handles misdemeanors, such as assault of a family member, property theft between $750 and $2,500, and using force against a law enforcement officer. They also handle civil cases where the amount in question does not exceed $200,000. 
- County Court-At-Law judges conduct arraignments, pre-trial hearings, and jury trials, as well as accept guilty pleas. 
- They are elected in a partisan, county-wide election to a four-year term. 
- Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, at least 25 years old, have been a Texas and county resident for at least 24 consecutive months, a practicing lawyer and/or judge in Texas for at least four years, and registered to vote in that county.
- The annual salary for County Court-At-Law Judges ranges from $174,000 to $244,500, depending on years of service and how much they receive as a county supplement.

Handles civil and criminal cases from District Courts.