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

Charles van Cleef

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Emileigh Crouch

Walter Ley

Charles is from Longview, Texas. He attended the University of Texas at Austin. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law. He has lived in Longview for over 20 years.

L. Charles van Cleef - Ballotpedia

Charles is a judge for Place 3 of the Texas Sixth District Court of Appeals. He works at the Texas Sixth District Court of Appeals, where he has been since April 2022. He previously worked at the federal court in Tyler, Texas, for several years and in private practice throughout East Texas, handling cases in state and federal trial and appellate courts.

L. Charles van Cleef is currently a judge for Place 3 of the Texas Sixth District Court of Appeals. He was appointed in April 2022 by Governor Greg Abbott.

Longview lawyer appointed to fill vacancy on Texarkana appeals court

As a private practice attorney, van Cleef worked in both trial and appellate courts throughout East Texas, handling cases in state and federal jurisdictions.

Legal Experience

As of January 22, 2026, Charles van Cleef’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

- 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.