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

Darlene Byrne

LinkedIn

Twitter

Facebook

Rafael Perez

Walter Ley

An honor graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, Justice Byrne lives in Austin with her husband, Dan, and is the proud mother and mother-in-law of five adult children.

TJB | 3rd COA | Justices | Chief Justice Darlene Byrne - Texas Courts

Darlene is a judge on the Texas Third Court of Appeals. She previously served as a judge for the Travis County District Court.

Darlene Byrne - Ballotpedia

Darlene is currently a judge for Chief Justice of the Texas Third District Court of Appeals. She was first elected in 2020. Before her election to the court of appeals, she served as a judge for the 126th Judicial District Court in Travis County for 20 years. She was first elected to that court in 2001.

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

As a state district court judge, oversaw all felony, probate, and civil cases, ruled in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorized adoptions, granted divorce decrees, and issued marriage licenses.

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, founded the Travis County Family Drug Treatment Court and the Travis County Model Court of Children, Youth and Families.

As a judge, pioneered the development of a Dual Status Youth docket, serving youth that were in the child welfare court and the juvenile justice court simultaneously.

As a state court of appeals justice, Byrne helped implement programs to improve outcomes for children and families in the Travis County District Courts.

Legal Experience

Promises to work hard and put in long hours, both on and off the bench.

Judicial Administration

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

Judicial Philosophy

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

Ethics & Conduct

Currently serves as 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.

Community Involvement

- 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.