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Elizabeth Ling Urrego has a bachelor's degree in English from Yatai Normal University, a master's degree in applied linguistics from Beijing Language and Culture University, and a law degree from South Texas College of Law. 

Elizabeth is an attorney. She has practiced law in Texas for 15 years. 

Elizabeth Ling Urrego - First Court of Appeals of Texas, Place 3 ...

Elizabeth Ling Urrego is currently a licensed attorney. She has practiced law for fifteen years.

Texas elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia

Licensed attorney in Texas for fifteen years with a strong passion for appellate law.

Has practiced law as a licensed attorney in Texas for 15 years, specializing in trials related to personal injury, real estate, and business and commercial litigation.

Worked as a judicial law clerk for four years, doing legal research and helping judges writes opinions and orders.

- Has practiced law as a licensed attorney in Texas for 15 years, specializing in trials related to personal injury, real estate, and business and commercial litigation.
- Worked as a judicial law clerk for four years, doing legal research and helping judges writes opinions and orders.

Legal Experience

As of January 22, 2026, Elizabeth Ling Urrego’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Believes in respect for the Constitution and the rule of law, emphasizing the importance of judicial independence and being free from political or partisan influence.

- Believes in respect for the Constitution and the rule of law, emphasizing the importance of judicial independence and being free from political or partisan influence.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Elizabeth Ling Urrego

Alejandra Gracias

Walter Ley

Malcolm Whittaker has a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from North Carolina State University and a law degree from the University of North Carolina. 

Malcolm is an attorney and the owner of Whittaker Law Firm. He previously worked as an engineer. 

Malcolm Whittaker previously ran for judge of the Texas 295th District Court in 2022 and did not win.

Malcolm Whittaker previously ran for judge of the Texas 295th District Court in 2022 and for U.S. Representative in 2018 but did not win.

As a patent lawyer, researched, drafted, and filed patent applications, and pursued and enforced patents with government agencies.

As an intellectual property lawyer, researches, drafts, and files patent applications, and pursues and enforces patents with government agencies.

As an arbitrator, has resolved and issued decisions on more than 100 cases.

- As an intellectual property lawyer, researches, drafts, and files patent applications, and pursues and enforces patents with government agencies.
- As an arbitrator, has resolved and issued decisions on more than 100 cases.

As of January 22, 2026, Malcolm E. Whittaker’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports the right to freely practice religion and advocated for a juror who was removed for praying after his verdict decision.

- Supports the right to freely practice religion and advocated for a juror who was removed for praying after his verdict decision.

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Malcolm E. Whittaker

Todd Frankfort is from Houston, Texas. He has a bachelor27s degree in American studies from the University of Texas and a law degree from South Texas College of Law. He has two daughters.

Frankfort to run for district judge

Todd Frankfort is from Houston, Texas. He has a bachelor's degree in American studies from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He is a husband and father of two daughters.

Todd is a managing partner at O'Neil Wysocki Family Law. He previously worked at the Law Office of Todd Frankfort, where he served as a partner, from 2016 to 2023. Before that, he was a partner at Flowers & Frankfort from 2013 to 2016. Todd also worked as an attorney at the Law Office of Richard L. Flowers, Jr. and Fullweider Wilhite. He has also served as a judicial clerk for Hon. Ewing Werlein Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Todd has also served as a volunteer prosecutor for the City of Houston and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

Texas Judicial Candidate Comparisons | Texas Judges

TSU Law Faculty

Todd is a managing partner at O'Neil Wysocki Family Law and an adjunct professor of law in domestic relations at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He previously worked at the Law Office of Todd Frankfort as a partner from 2016 to 2023. Before that, he was a partner at Flowers & Frankfort from 2013 to 2016. He has also served as a judicial clerk for Honorable Ewing Werlein Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, and as a volunteer prosecutor for the City of Houston, Texas and the Harris County District Attorney's Office in Texas.

Todd previously ran for Place 3 on the Texas First Court of Appeals in 2026. He also ran for the Texas 308th District Court in 2022 and won.

Todd Frankfort - Ballotpedia

Judicial candidates compete for attention on crowded primary ...

Todd previously ran for the Texas 308th District Court in 2022 but did not win.

Has over 30 years of legal expertise, specializing in complex marital property issues, divorce and custody litigation, child support enforcement, and international jurisdictional matters, with experience litigating in over 10 counties in Texas and representing clients in family law appeals before appellate courts.

Ran his own law practice from 2016 to 2023, focusing on divorce, custody, child support enforcement, and post-divorce disputes, and handling family law appeals.

Worked as an attorney from 2001 to 2016, specializing in real estate and commercial litigation, homeowners’ associations, leasing, and purchase and sale transactions for real estate and businesses.

- Ran his own law practice from 2016 to 2023, focusing on divorce, custody, child support enforcement, and post-divorce disputes, and handling family law appeals.
- Worked as an attorney from 2001 to 2016, specializing in real estate and commercial litigation, homeowners’ associations, leasing, and purchase and sale transactions for real estate and businesses.

As of January 22, 2026, Todd Frankfort’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Shares conservative values of judicial restraint and strict interpretation of the laws, stating he will not allow judges to legislate from the bench.

Values "judicial restraint and strict interpretation of the laws, as written." 

Opposes allowing "judges to legislate from the bench."

- Values "judicial restraint and strict interpretation of the laws, as written." 
- Opposes allowing "judges to legislate from the bench."

Served as a Vice-Chairman of the Breeders Greeters Committee of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

- Served as a Vice-Chairman of the Breeders Greeters Committee of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Todd Frankfort

Todd is a managing partner at O'Neil Wysocki Family Law and an Adjunct Professor of Law in Domestic Relations at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. He previously worked at the Law Office of Todd Frankfort as a partner, from 2016 to 2023. Before that, he was a partner at Flowers & Frankfort from 2013 to 2016. He has also served as a judicial clerk for Honorable Ewing Werlein Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, and as a volunteer prosecutor for the City of Houston, Texas and the Harris County District Attorney's Office in Texas.

Todd previously ran for the Texas 308th District Court in 2022 and lost.

- Has over 30 years of legal expertise, specializing in "complex" marital property issues, post-divorce disputes, divorce and custody litigation, child support enforcement, international jurisdictional issues, negotiation, and dispute resolution with experience litigating in over 10 counties in Texas and representing clients in family law appeals before appellate courts.

- Claims to be an "active member" of the Houston Bar Association, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Houston Volunteer Lawyers, Harris County Dispute Resolution Center, and the Board of Directors of the Houston Lawyer Referral Services and the Houston Bar Association.
- Served as a Vice-Chairman of the Breeders Greeters Committee of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Todd is from Houston, Texas. He attended The University of Texas at Austin. He has a bachelor’s degree in American studies from The University of Texas at Austin. He has a Juris Doctor degree from South Texas College of Law. He lives with his two daughters, Lucy and Claire.

Todd Frankfort previously ran for judge of the Texas 308th District Court in 2022, defeating Michael Delaney in the Republican primary.

Buket Urgen

Todd Frankfort emphasizes the importance of experience in appellate courts, advocating for thoughtful review of cases based on the Constitution, written law, and established legal precedent.

Zach Gibson has a bachelor 27s degree from Baylor University and a law degree from St. Mary 27s University. He lives in Harris County, Texas.

Zach Gibson has a bachelor's degree from Baylor University and a law degree from St. Mary 's University. He lives in Harris County, Texas.

Zach is a prosecutor with the Harris County District Attorney's Office, where he has worked since 2016. He previously worked at the St. Mary's University School of Law Criminal Justice Clinic, where he received the Marianist Green Award for Community Spirit and Cooperation for his work.

Greg Degeyter, Author at Big Jolly Politics

Zach is a prosecutor with the Harris County District Attorney's Office. 

Zach previously ran for Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 4 in 2022 but did not win. 

As an assistant district attorney, handled criminal appeals, parental termination appeals, and appeals from mental-health civil commitments.

As a prosecutor for the Harris County District Attorney's Office since 2016, works on criminal appeals, doing legal research and writing memos to advise county prosecutors.

Has tried two cases in Texas counties as a prosecutor and represented the State of Texas in several courts of appeals.

- As a prosecutor for the Harris County District Attorney's Office since 2016, works on criminal appeals, doing legal research and writing memos to advise county prosecutors.
- Has tried two cases in Texas counties as a prosecutor and represented the State of Texas in several courts of appeals.

Promises to research all legal issues in a case, read briefings, and apply laws as they are written.

- Promises to research all legal issues in a case, read briefings, and apply laws as they are written.

Said he will "always consider the future safety of the victim and the community in all bail determinations."

Said, "I will faithfully apply the law and constitution as written."

- Said he will "always consider the future safety of the victim and the community in all bail determinations."
- Said, "I will faithfully apply the law and constitution as written."

As of January 22, 2026, Zach Gibson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Zach Gibson

Received a law degree from Southern Methodist University.

- 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.

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.

Texas Court of Appeals Justice, Division 1, Republican Primary

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Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement