This sample ballot may not include all local party roles or measures on the official ballot. The listed candidates serve only within their party, and the propositions do not change the law.

2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas Primary Election

Democrat

Republican

2026 Texas Primary Runoff

John E. Neill

Walter Ley

John E. Neill has a bachelor 27s degree from Baylor University and a law degree from St. Mary 27s University School of Law. 

The Honorable John E. Neill - Texas State Directory Online

John Neill - Ballotpedia

John is an attorney. He previously served as a judge for the Texas Tenth District Court of Appeals from 2019 to 2021 and as a judge for Texas District 18 from 1998 to 2019. Before taking the bench, he was a partner at Coontz & Neill in Burleson, Texas, from 1990 until his appointment to the bench. He also worked as an associate at Lummus, Hallman, Pritchard and Baker in Cleburne, Texas, from 1987 to 1990. Earlier in his career, he served as a briefing attorney for the Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth. 

John previously served as a judge of Texas District 18 from 1998 to 2019. He was then appointed to the Texas Tenth District Court of Appeals, where he served from 2019 to 2021.

As a district court judge, oversaw civil and criminal trials, ruled in all civil actions involving the state constitution, and exercised authority to review the decisions of certain state administrative agencies.

Legal Experience

As of January 22, 2026, John E. Neill’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

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.