List of chief justices of Texas

The Chief Justice of Texas presides at the Texas Supreme Court, which is the top appellate court for civil matters in the Texas court system. The chief justice (and all the justices) are elected statewide in partisan elections. The term of the chief justice is six years. The position was created in the Texas Constitution of 1876. The current chief justice is Nathan L. Hecht.

Chief justices

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Name Party Term Left office
George F. Moore Democrat 1878-1881 Resigned
Robert S. Gould Democrat 1881-1882 Defeated
Asa H. Willie Democrat 1882-1888 Retired
John W. Stayton Democrat 1888-1894 Died
Reuben R. Gaines Democrat 1894-1911 Retired
Thomas J. Brown Democrat 1911-1915 Died
Nelson Phillips Democrat 1915-1921 Resigned
Calvin Maples Cureton Democrat 1921-1940 Died
W.F. Moore Democrat 1940-1941 Retired
James P. Alexander Democrat 1941-1948 Died
J.E. Hickman Democrat 1948-1961 Retired
Robert W. Calvert Democrat 1961-1972 Retired
Joe R. Greenhill Democrat 1972-1982 Retired
Jack Pope Democrat 1982-1985 Retired
John L. Hill, Jr. Democrat 1985-1988 Resigned
Thomas R. Phillips Republican 1988-2004 Retired
Wallace B. Jefferson Republican 2004-2013 Resigned
Nathan L. Hecht Republican 2013–Present Incumbent