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 most recent chief justice was Nathan L. Hecht. Governor Greg Abbott will appoint the next chief justice prior to the judicial 2026 election.