Texas Supreme Court Justice Jeff Boyd will retire this year, leaving an opening for Republican Governor Greg Abbott to fill.
Abbott, who was a state Supreme Court justice before becoming governor, has appointed six of the nine justices on the top court.
Boyd has deep ties to the state's Republicans, having worked for Governor Rick Perry as a chief of staff and general counsel before the governor appointed him to the Supreme Court in 2012.
In the early 2000s, Boyd worked under Texas' then- attorney general John Cornyn, now a U.S. senator facing a primary challenge from current attorney general Ken Paxton.
Supreme Court elections in Texas are partisan and for six-year terms. Boyd won re-election in 2014 and 2020.
Governor Abbott will appoint a placeholder, who would need to be confirmed by the Texas Senate.
Boyd, who was educated at Abilene Christian University and graduated summa cum laude from Pepperdine University School of Law, announced his retirement with a quote from Scripture.
"There is a season for every activity under the heavens," he wrote on X.
“I am honored and blessed to have served on the Texas Supreme Court these past 12 years," he continued in a statement.
"I’m especially grateful to Governor Rick Perry for appointing me to the Court in 2012, to the many Texans who have encouraged, supported, and voted for me through two statewide elections, to my many Court and campaign colleagues and co-workers for their friendship and inspiration, and to my wife Jackie and our children for reminding me daily of life’s most important blessings."
"It’s now time to let another take the helm. I will not be running for re-election in 2026 and will retire from the Court this summer, near the end of its current annual term. May God continue to bless Texas and this honorable Court.”
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock called Boyd a "model of integrity, impartiality and diligence.”
“His sharp insights and thorough analysis have shaped and strengthened the opinions of the Court, and his abundant good humor around the office have made him a beloved friend and mentor to Justices and staff alike,” Blacklock said. “Justice Boyd leaves the Supreme Court, and the law of our great State, better than he found it.”
Texas has two separate top courts. The Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal on civil matters, while the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals handles criminal cases.
