The Chief Justice of Texas presides at the Texas Supreme Court, which is the top appellate court for civil matters in the Texas court system. The chief justice (and all the justices) are elected statewide in partisan elections. The term of the chief justice is six years. The position was created in the Texas Constitution of 1876. The current chief justice is Jimmy Blacklock.
Chief justices Name Party Term Left office George F. Moore Democrat 1878-1881 Resigned Robert S. Gould Democrat 1881-1882 Defeated Asa H. Willie Democrat 1882-1888 Retired John W. Stayton Democrat 1888-1894 Died Reuben R. Gaines Democrat 1894-1911 Retired Thomas J. Brown Democrat 1911-1915 Died Nelson Phillips Democrat 1915-1921 Resigned Calvin Maples Cureton Democrat 1921-1940 Died W.F. Moore Democrat 1940-1941 Retired James P. Alexander Democrat 1941-1948 Died J.E. Hickman Democrat 1948-1961 Retired Robert W. Calvert Democrat 1961-1972 Retired Joe R. Greenhill Democrat 1972-1982 Retired Jack Pope Democrat 1982-1985 Retired John L. Hill, Jr. Democrat 1985-1988 Resigned Thomas R. Phillips Republican 1988-2004 Retired Wallace B. Jefferson Republican 2004-2013 Resigned Nathan L. Hecht Republican 2013–2024 Retired Jimmy Blacklock Republican 2025–Present Incumbent