Republican Ben Smith is running against Democrat Monica Purdy for Place 6 on Texas’ 5th Court of Appeals in the Nov. 3, 2026, election. Both appear in the official ballot certification.
Smith currently presides over Collin County’s 380th District Court. His campaign biography says he was appointed to that bench in August 2012 after winning the Republican primary. It describes earlier prosecution and private-practice experience and degrees from Boston University.
What the appellate office does
The 5th Court of Appeals hears civil and criminal appeals from Dallas, Collin, Grayson, Hunt, Rockwall and Kaufman counties. It is a regional court, not a statewide trial court. Denton County is outside its district.
Cases generally are decided by three-justice panels reviewing trial records and legal briefs. An appellate justice does not retry every case or independently enact criminal, family or civil law.
Campaign information
Smith’s biography emphasizes experience handling felony, family and civil cases. The materials reviewed do not establish a detailed new spending proposal or implementation timetable. No unverified endorsement claims or promises about specific case outcomes are included.
The Rockwall Herald did not receive a direct questionnaire response from the candidate and does not endorse candidates.
