2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas General Runoff

Nonpartisan

David Gunn is from Houston. He has a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, a master's degree in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a master's degree in law from the University of Houston, and a law degree from Baylor University.

David is a Justice on the Texas First Court of Appeals. He works at the First Court of Appeals, where he reviews appeals in civil and criminal cases. He previously worked at the law firm Beck Redden, LLP, where he joined its appellate practice more than twenty years ago and helped build its appellate team.

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David previously worked as an attorney at Beck Redden LLP, Hogan Dubose and Townsend LLP, and as a court attorney for the Fourteenth Court.

David Gunn is currently a judge for Place 4 of the Texas First District Court of Appeals. He was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott on September 3, 2024, succeeding April Farris, and his current term runs through December 31, 2026. He previously served as a member of the Hilshire Village City Council from 2012 to 2019.

David Gunn - Ballotpedia

David currently serves as a judge for the Texas First District Court of Appeals. He was first appointed in 2024, and is serving his first term. David previously served two terms as a Hilshire Village City Council member from 2012 to 2019.

As a partner at Beck Redden LLP, Gunn is involved in legal practice at a Houston law firm.

Has worked as an attorney for over 35 years, presenting oral arguments before the Texas Supreme Court, Texas Courts of Appeals, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Is board-certified in civil appellate law.

- Has worked as an attorney for over 35 years, presenting oral arguments before the Texas Supreme Court, Texas Courts of Appeals, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
- Is board-certified in civil appellate law.

Legal Experience

As of July 22, 2026, David Gunn’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Said his "judicial philosophy is founded on a commitment to interpret the law faithfully and impartially, with a deep respect for the letter and spirit of the constitution."

- Said his "judicial philosophy is founded on a commitment to interpret the law faithfully and impartially, with a deep respect for the letter and spirit of the constitution."

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Serves as a fellow in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and on the pattern jury charge committee for the State Bar of Texas.

- Serves as a fellow in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and on the pattern jury charge committee for the State Bar of Texas.

Community Involvement

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David Gunn

Alejandra Gracias

Buket Urgen

Judicial Q&A: Julie Countiss | Off the Kuff

Julie earned a bachelor's degree in history from Southern Methodist University and a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. She lives with her husband, and they have two children. 

Julie is a justice on the First District Court of Appeals in Texas. She works on the Court, where she has served since being elected in November 2018. She previously worked in private law practice, then joined the Office of the Harris County Attorney as an assistant county attorney, representing the county in civil rights cases, nuisance abatement, and tort claims. Early in her career, she taught elementary school in the South Bronx as a Teach for America Corps member from 1993 to 1995.

Julie is currently a Member at Conklin Countiss Sternfel, PLLC. Previously, she was a justice on the First District Court of Appeals in Texas. She previously worked in private law at the Office of the Harris County Attorney as an assistant county attorney, and taught elementary school in the South Bronx as a Teach for America Corps member.

Julie Countiss - Ballotpedia

Co-chaired the Law Library Committee, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, the Professionalism Committee and the Civil Trial and Appellate Bench Bar Committee.

Co-chairs the Law Library Committee, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, the Professionalism Committee and the Civil Trial and Appellate Bench Bar Committee.

As a federal appeals court judge, ensures federal law has been applied correctly in all civil, criminal, and constitutional cases where a defendant or qualified plaintiff requests review of a lower court’s ruling.

As an Assistant County Attorney, "represented Harris County in civil matters in state and federal court including civil rights litigation, nuisance abatement/neighborhood protection, and claims subject to the Texas Tort Claims Act."

- Co-chairs the Law Library Committee, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, the Professionalism Committee and the Civil Trial and Appellate Bench Bar Committee.
- As a federal appeals court judge, ensures federal law has been applied correctly in all civil, criminal, and constitutional cases where a defendant or qualified plaintiff requests review of a lower court’s ruling.
- As an Assistant County Attorney, "represented Harris County in civil matters in state and federal court including civil rights litigation, nuisance abatement/neighborhood protection, and claims subject to the Texas Tort Claims Act."

As of July 22, 2026, Julie Countiss’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Served as a member of the National Association of Women Judges and serves on the Houston Color of Justice host committee. She is an active member of the Houston Bar Association, where she co-chairs the Law Library Committee.

- Served as a member of the National Association of Women Judges and serves on the Houston Color of Justice host committee. She is an active member of the Houston Bar Association, where she co-chairs the Law Library Committee.

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Julie Countiss

- 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.

Texas Court of Appeals Justice, Division 1, Post 4

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