2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas General Runoff

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Judge Field is a native Texan who was born in Houston and grew up outside of College Station.

TJB | 15th COA | About the Court | Justices | Justice Scott Field

As an undergraduate, Judge Field earned a B.A. in Political Science from Texas A&M University, where he graduated summa cum laude.

He received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law, where he graduated with honors and was named to the Order of the Coif.

He now lives in Liberty Hill with his wife Melinda, and they have three grown children.

He is a mentor for The University of Texas (UT) School of Law Mentoring Program and a Deacon and Trustee of Austin Baptist Church. Field received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Texas A&M University and a Juris Doctor from UT Austin School of Law.

Governor Abbott Appoints Inaugural Members To Fifteenth Court Of Appeals | Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott

Scott K. Field is a native Texan who was born in Houston and grew up outside of College Station. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Texas A&M University and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He lives in Liberty Hill with his wife, Melinda, and they have three grown children; he is also a mentor for the University of Texas School of Law Mentoring Program and a deacon and trustee of Austin Baptist Church.

Justice Scott Field - 15th COA - Texas Courts

Governor Abbott Appoints Inaugural Members To Fifteenth Court Of ...

Judge Field began his career by serving as a law clerk on the Texas Supreme Court, for Hon. Raul Gonzalez.

He then began private practice at Baker Botts, L.L.P., where he practiced in the trial and appellate departments.

He then co-founded York, Keller & Field, L.L.P., before forming The Field Law Firm, PLLC.

Prior to serving on the 480th District Court, Field was a partner at Butler Snow LLP in Austin, where he practiced in the appellate advocacy and commercial litigation groups.

Before joining Butler Snow, Judge Field served a six-year term on the Third Court of Appeals in Austin.

Served as a law clerk for Texas Supreme Court Justice Raul Gonzalez.

Practiced trial and appellate law at Baker Botts, L.L.P.

Co-founded York, Keller & Field, L.L.P., and later formed The Field Law Firm, PLLC.

As a partner at Butler Snow LLP, practiced appellate advocacy and commercial litigation.

As a Third Court of Appeals justice, served a six-year term in Austin.

- Served as a law clerk for Texas Supreme Court Justice Raul Gonzalez.
- Practiced trial and appellate law at Baker Botts, L.L.P.
- Co-founded York, Keller & Field, L.L.P., and later formed The Field Law Firm, PLLC.
- As a partner at Butler Snow LLP, practiced appellate advocacy and commercial litigation.
- As a Third Court of Appeals justice, served a six-year term in Austin.

Legal Experience

As of July 22, 2026, Scott K. Field’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

“Serving on the Fifteenth Court of Appeals is an honor and a responsibility I take seriously. Every case deserves thoughtful, impartial review grounded in the law, not politics.”
— Justice Scott Field

Justice Scott Field Campaign Website

As a judge, I believe in applying the law as written—not rewriting it to fit personal views or political outcomes. The Constitution, statutes, and precedents are the foundation of our legal system. It’s my job to interpret and apply them fairly and consistently.

Said every case deserves impartial review grounded in law rather than politics.

Believes judges should apply the Constitution, statutes, and precedents as written rather than rewrite law for personal or political outcomes.

- Said every case deserves impartial review grounded in law rather than politics.
- Believes judges should apply the Constitution, statutes, and precedents as written rather than rewrite law for personal or political outcomes.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Mentors through the University of Texas School of Law Mentoring Program.

Serves as a deacon and trustee of Austin Baptist Church.

- Mentors through the University of Texas School of Law Mentoring Program.
- Serves as a deacon and trustee of Austin Baptist Church.

Community Involvement

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Scott K. Field

Scott K. Field earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Texas A&M University and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He lives in Liberty Hill with his wife, Melinda, and they have three children.

- Believes judges should apply the Constitution, statutes, and precedent fairly and consistently, without regard to personal views or political outcomes.

Scott K. Field was born in Houston and grew up outside College Station. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Texas A&M University and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He lives in Liberty Hill with his wife, Melinda, and their three children, and is a deacon and trustee of Austin Baptist Church.

- Was appointed to the Fifteenth Court of Appeals.
- Served as the inaugural judge of Williamson County's 480th District Court.
- Served six years on the Third Court of Appeals in Austin.
- Practiced appellate advocacy and commercial litigation as a partner at Butler Snow LLP in Austin.
- Practiced in trial and appellate departments at Baker Botts, L.L.P.
- Co-founded York, Keller & Field, L.L.P., and later formed The Field Law Firm, PLLC.
- Served as a law clerk on the Texas Supreme Court for Justice Raul Gonzalez.

- Believes judges should apply the Constitution, statutes, and precedent fairly and consistently, without political considerations or personal views.

Buket Urgen

Mauricio Mendez

Born and raised in Denison, Texas, Justice Baker has called Temple home since 1994.

About Thomas Baker - Justice Tom Baker

Justice Baker earned his Bachelor of Journalism and Bachelor of Arts in Government from the University of Texas at Austin and his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston Law Center.

Justice Baker and his wife, Cynthia, a longtime Texas educator, raised their daughters Sarah and Emily in Central Texas.

Tom Baker was born and raised in Denison, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in government from the University of Texas at Austin, followed by a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. He lives in Temple and, with his wife, Cynthia, raised two daughters.

Campaign Website: justicetombaker.com

Current Occupation: Practicing Attorney
Years of Texas Residency: Native Texan

15th Court Of Appeals, Place 2

Primary Practice Location: Temple , Texas
PO Box 32
Belton, TX 76513-0032
Practice Areas: Family, Appellate: CivilCONTACT INFORMATION
EMAIL NOW

State Bar of Texas — Mr. Thomas John “Tom” Baker

His commitment to public service continued back home in Texas, where he served as Assistant County Attorney for Bee County before building his legal practice in Central Texas.

Justice Baker also proudly served his country. He was commissioned in the United States Naval Reserve in 1983, attended the Naval Justice School, and completed three tours of duty in Corpus Christi, Guam, and New Orleans. For his service, he was awarded two Navy Commendation Medals.

Tom Baker currently practices law, with practice areas in family and civil appellate law. He previously served as an assistant county attorney for Bee County and built a legal practice in Central Texas. He also served in the United States Naval Reserve and completed three tours of duty.

15th Court of Appeals, Place 2 | Texas Judges

Find A Lawyer | Thomas John Baker - State Bar of Texas

Campaign Website

MR. THOMAS JOHN 'TOM' BAKER
Eligible to Practice in Texas
Bar Card Number: 01595700
TX License Date: 05/11/1984

Served as assistant county attorney for Bee County.

Practices family law and civil appellate law in Texas.

- Served as assistant county attorney for Bee County.
- Practices family law and civil appellate law in Texas.

Judicial Philosophy:
Treat all parties and their counsel with dignity and respect at all times in oral and written communications. Know the law applicable to the case before the Court. If I do not know the law applicable to the case, find and learn the applicable law. If the law is inconclusive or requires judicial construction, then apply my mind to the case without prejudice, fear or concern for political repercussions.

If I ever believe I have a bias in my mind, then voluntarily recuse myself from the case. Work respectfully and constructively with my colleagues on the Court and all Court staff. Serving on the Fifteenth Court of Appeals requires impartiality, discipline, and a firm commitment to the rule of law.

Commits to treating parties and counsel with dignity and respect and to learning the law applicable to each case.

Plans to work respectfully and constructively with fellow court members and staff.

- Commits to treating parties and counsel with dignity and respect and to learning the law applicable to each case.
- Plans to work respectfully and constructively with fellow court members and staff.

FOR JUSTICE, PLACE 2

Tom Baker
DEM
Incumbent Justice
REP
Appointed, never elected to this court

U.S. Navy JAG Corps veteran and former elected justice on the 3rd Court of Appeals in Austin, with four decades of legal experience and one rule: party affiliation has no place in a ruling.

FULL BIO

Flip 15th Court of Appeals

Serving on the Fifteenth Court of Appeals requires impartiality, discipline, and a firm commitment to the rule of law. As a judge, I believe in applying the law as written—not rewriting it to fit personal views or political outcomes. The Constitution, statutes, and precedents are the foundation of our legal system. It’s my job to interpret and apply them fairly and consistently. Texans deserve a judiciary that is independent, even-handed, and faithful to our Constitution. That’s what I strive to deliver every day.

Know the law applicable to the case before the Court. If I do not know the law applicable to the case, find and learn the applicable law. If the law is inconclusive or requires judicial construction, then apply my mind to the case without prejudice, fear or concern for political repercussions. If I ever believe I have a bias in my mind, then voluntarily recuse myself from the case. Work respectfully and constructively with my colleagues on the Court and all Court staff.

Believes party affiliation has no place in a judicial ruling.

Believes judges should apply the law as written rather than rewrite it for personal views or political outcomes.

Plans to exercise judicial judgment without bias or political considerations when the law requires interpretation, and to recuse if he believes he is biased.

- Believes party affiliation has no place in a judicial ruling.
- Believes judges should apply the law as written rather than rewrite it for personal views or political outcomes.
- Plans to exercise judicial judgment without bias or political considerations when the law requires interpretation, and to recuse if he believes he is biased.

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

Before joining the bench, Justice Baker spent years providing pro bono legal services through his private law practice and through Lone Star Legal Aid, standing up for domestic violence survivors, veterans, and working families who needed a lawyer but couldn’t afford one. Service to others has always been at the heart of his work.

Provided pro bono legal services through private practice and Lone Star Legal Aid for people unable to afford a lawyer.

- Provided pro bono legal services through private practice and Lone Star Legal Aid for people unable to afford a lawyer.

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Tom Baker

- Believes judges should apply the law as written rather than rewrite it for personal views or political outcomes.
- Plans to exercise judicial judgment without bias or political considerations when the law requires interpretation, and to recuse if he believes he is biased.

Isaac Brickman

- 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, Post 2

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Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement