Holly Taylor
Democrat | Texas
Candidate Profile*
Activist
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Holly Taylor
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
Presiding Judge, Court of Crim. Appeals
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Candidate did not provide
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
ENDORSEMENTS*
LIBERAL (21)
Texas AFL-CIO
Stonewall Democrats of Dallas
Texas Democrats with Disabilities
Beto O'Rourke
Black Austin Democrats
OTHER (1)
Mothers Against Greg Abbott PAC
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (8)
ActBlue (2024)
Katy Jewett Memorial Training Fund (2024)
Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2024)
State Democratic Party Organizations (2024)
Young Democrats of America (2024)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (3)
Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2024)
State Democratic Party Organizations (2024)
Texas Justice Democrats (2023)
OTHER INFORMATION
Candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024.
"Throughout my career, I’ve worked to ensure that our laws are enforced fairly and justly, without regard to the status of the accused. I’ve prosecuted public officials who have abused their authority in my roles with the Travis County District Attorney’s Public Integrity and Civil Rights Units. And I am proud of my work with the Conviction Integrity Unit, which investigates claims of wrongful conviction and seeks to exonerate the innocent."—Holly Taylor
(See: Candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024.)
"I believe we must safeguard the independence, impartiality, and integrity of our Texas courts, ensuring that all who come before them are treated with respect and humanity." —Holly Taylor
Holly Taylor's campaign website states, "While I can't speak to specific policies due to ethical constraints, my Democratic affiliation is deeply rooted in my values...As a future Presiding Judge, my goal is to respect constitutional rights, create a supportive environment, and enhance court procedures for fair and efficient case resolution. My judicial philosophy revolves around principles of impartiality, equitable treatment, and deference to our State and Federal Constitutions and the rule of law, underscoring my commitment to justice for all."
Holly Taylor currently serves as Assistant Director in the Civil Rights Division of the Travis County District Attorney’s Office working with the Appeals Team, Civil Rights Unit, and Conviction Integrity Unit, which seeks to remedy wrongful convictions.
Posted to Facebook:
"Today we honor Juneteenth, a day marking the end of slavery in the United States and the triumph of freedom and resilience. Together, let's build a community where freedom and justice are truly for all."
See Youtube Video "Holly Taylor TX Criminal Court of Appeals." Mothers for Democracy - Mothers Against Greg Abbott, 2023.
In an interview with MothersforDemocracy-MothersAgainstGregAbbott, Taylor expressed concerned that her opponent, David Schenck, is endorsed by True Texas Project, noting that such organizations adhere to The Great Replacement Theory. Taylor said, “It is absolutely critical to me that our courts remain independent and neutral, and that our judges act with integrity. Our code of judicial conduct provides that judges cannot discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, economic status, sex, or sexual orientation. Additionally, our code of judicial conduct specifies that judges are not supposed to be members of any organization that discriminates on those bases.”
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Was Dobbs v. Jackson rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain.
Did not answer
I support a right to accelerate ending a human life.
Did not answer
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Did not answer
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty is at risk in the United States.
Did not answer
2ND AMENDMENT
The right to bear arms is fundamental and must be protected.
Did not answer
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES
Which branch of government do you believe was intended to wield the most authority?
Did not answer
How should the court address public health and individual freedoms in the time of a public health emergency?
Did not answer
JUDICIAL PHILOSOPHY
Which current or past U.S. Supreme Court justice best reflects your judicial philosophy?
Did not answer
Is there a separation of church and state in the Constitution? Please explain.
Did not answer
Should courts address threats to religious liberty in the United States? If so, how?
Did not answer
Was Obergefell v. Hodges rightly decided according to the text of the Constitution? Please explain.
Did not answer
Was Bostock v. Clayton County rightly decided under the law? Please explain.
Did not answer
I agree that “the custody, care and nurture of the child reside first in the parents, whose primary function and freedom include preparation for obligations the state can neither supply nor hinder.” (Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57, 65-66 (2000); quoting Prince v. Massachusetts, 321 U.S. 158, 166 (1944).
Did not answer
What should a judge do when legislative texts and court precedents dictate different results?
Did not answer
When should a judge overturn past court decisions?
Did not answer
When, if ever, should a judge take popular opinion or the social views of the majority into consideration?
Did not answer
Do you believe the meaning of the Constitution changes over time, absent changes through the amendment process of Article V?
Did not answer
What do you believe is the single most important quality a judge should possess?
Did not answer
If you are an incumbent judge, describe a recent instance in which you acted to preserve your judicial independence. If you are an aspiring judge, how do you plan to remain independent if elected to the bench?
Did not answer
ABOUT YOU
What, if any, church or organizations do you belong to?
Did not answer
I voted in these primaries and general elections:
Did not answer
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
Did not answer
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
Did not answer
Would you describe your judicial philosophy as originalist, living constitutionalist, or something else? Please explain.
Did not answer
VALUES
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Did not answer
What is your view of parental rights regarding the upbringing of children, specifically education and sexual "identity"?
Did not answer
I support "gender identity" as a specially protected class. Please explain.
Did not answer
What do you believe to be true about the human condition?
Did not answer
EQUALITY
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT).
Did not answer
