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
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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

2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas General Runoff

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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.

Legal Experience

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.

Judicial Administration

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.

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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.

Judicial Philosophy

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

Ethics & Conduct

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.

Community Involvement

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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.

Buket Urgen

Isaac Brickman

Scott K. Field

- 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.