McCray, age 61, received his law degree from St. Mary’s University and has practiced criminal law, including appellate work, for more than 30 years in state and federal court. He also has served as a lead prosecutor in two Texas district attorney offices.
It’s an open race for Place 3 this year after Judge Patricia Alvarez (D) retired before the end of her term. The seat is currently held by Judge Lori Massey Brissette (R), who was appointed to the fill the vacancy by Gov. Greg Abbott, but is running for Place 4 this year. McCray is up against Democrat Cynthia Marie Chapa.
Hear from the candidate
Please tell voters about yourself.
Todd McCray is sixty-one years old, a fourth-generation Texan, a fifth-generation member of the Church of Christ, and an Eagle Scout. He has lived in the San Antonio community following law school at St. Mary’s University School of Law for over 30 years. Todd has 34 years of legal experience serving to keep the community safe through representation of both indigent individuals accused of crime and as a former prosecutor for the State of Texas. He was the 2018 Republican nominee for Judge of the 226th Texas Judicial District Court of Bexar County, and the 2022 Republican nominee for Justice, Texas Fourth Court of Appeals, Place 6. He has served the Bexar County Republican Party as a Precinct Chair and as Candidate Recruitment Chair.
Describe your educational background.
Todd graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1986 with a B.B.A. in Finance and from St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio in 1990 with a J.D. degree.
Describe your professional experience, what type of law you’ve practiced and
noteworthy accomplishments.
Todd has 34 years of legal experience representing both indigent individuals accused of crime and the State of Texas as felony prosecutor for two different district attorney offices. Todd served as lead felony attorney in both the Grayson County Attorney’s Office and in the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. As lead attorney for the State of Texas and as lead defense counsel Todd has tried 100+ jury trials, 50+ appeals, and resolved thousands of cases in every aspect of criminal law including capital murder, appeals and post-conviction writs and remedies, immigration issues, and juvenile law cases. Todd has been Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization continuously since 1997.
Why are you seeking this office and why did you decide to be a candidate in the
political party you chose?
Experience and judicial values matter. Justices of appeal courts should have significant, relevant jury trial and appeal experience resolving the kinds of cases that come before all Texas courts.
Justices should have not only a broad range of mature, competent experience but a history of service in the community. The judiciary is a distinct branch of our government. In Texas trial and appeal courts should be fair, impartial and independent of undue political influence from the other branches of government. Judges should follow the law and not legislate from the bench. As public office holders, judges should strictly adhere to the United States Constitution, the Texas Constitution, and uphold the rule of law.
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Shut out of the courthouse in blue Bexar County, Republicans instead target Fourth Court of Appeals
