Kristen Hawkins, a Democrat, is running for Texas Supreme Court Justice Place 7 in the Nov. 3, 2026 general election. She faces Republican Kyle Hawkins. Allen voters will see this statewide race on their ballots.

This candidacy is listed in the Texas secretary of state’s official November 3, 2026 certification for Collin County.

Hawkins is a judge on the 11th District Court in Harris County. Asked why she is running, Hawkins said in our questionnaire, "The governor has appointed seven of the nine current Supreme Court justices, and I am running give the voters an opportunity to elect a qualified, competent candidate with a decade of judicial experience." She added, "I would bring an independent voice to the Supreme Court."

Party: "Democrat," according to Hawkins in our questionnaire.

Education: "University of Texas at Austin - BA" and "South Texas College of Law - JD, magna cum laude," Hawkins said in our questionnaire.

Previous and current elected office: "I am the judge of the 11th District Court, Harris County, Texas. I was first elected in 2016 and was reelected in 2020 and 2024," Hawkins said in our questionnaire.

Occupation and work history: "I have served as judge of the 11th District Court for nine years. Before that, I was appointed and served as one of the Harris County tax masters for five years," Hawkins said in our questionnaire. She added, "Prior to the bench, I practiced general civil litigation and represented individuals applying for Social Security disability. I am board certified in personal-injury law, civil-trial law, and judicial administration." She said, "I have also been appointed by a statewide panel to preside over complex multi-district litigation cases."

Accomplishments: Hawkins said in our questionnaire, "I am one of 19 judges state-wide that is board certified in judicial administration." She noted that "In 2021, Tex-ABOTA recognized me as Judge of the Year" and that "I have served on the bench for a decade." She added, "I regularly present at continuing legal education seminars for attorneys and other judges."

Critical differences from opponent: Hawkins said in our questionnaire, "I give the voters an opportunity to elect a qualified, competent candidate with a decade of judicial experience." She said "That experience has given me a perspective regarding the importance of our jury system that my opponent does not have" and that "I offer the voters of the State of Texas an opportunity to make a positive change to a Supreme Court in which seven of the nine justices have been selected and appointed by the governor."

Judicial philosophy: Hawkins said in our questionnaire, "My judicial philosophy is simple: to apply the law equally to everyone who appears before me, and to ensure that juries and their verdicts are respected." She said, "I consider myself a pragmatist who respects the law and stare decisis and believes consistency and predictability in the law is paramount."

Partisan judicial elections: Hawkins said in our questionnaire, "I do not support changing to an appointment system because an appointment system benefits political insiders and places too much power in a single individual or party." She added, "One of the weaknesses of elections, however, is that it is expensive and difficult for state-wide judicial candidates to reach voters so that voters are adequately informed about the candidates."

Access to justice: Hawkins said in our questionnaire that "the Court should select cases that are important to all Texans, not just the well-resourced." She said "the Court can adopt rules that streamline access to justice for those who are under-resourced or without adequate representation, including pro-se litigants."

Campaign contributions: "Throughout my time on the trial-court bench, I have based my decisions on the facts and the law and not on politics or on campaign contributions," Hawkins said in our questionnaire.

Best advice received: "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good," Hawkins said in our questionnaire.

Responses are based on public data and answers to a Surround Sound Media questionnaire if they were provided.