Zack Zbranek has spent most of his adult life on the Liberty County Courthouse Square, advocating for clients and navigating the realities of the local justice system. While a career in law ultimately became his calling, he says his professional path was not always predetermined despite his family’s long history in law. Today, Zbranek is running as a Republican in the March 3, 2026 primary for the 75th State District Court.
Zbranek recently sat down with the Bluebonnet News Headlines and Heartlines podcast to talk about his roots in Liberty County, his legal career, and the principles he believes should guide someone serving on the district court bench.
A lifelong Liberty County resident, Zbranek was born in Liberty and later moved to Devers as a child. He attended Devers schools before graduating from Hull-Daisetta High School in 1982. From there, he went on to the University of Texas, graduating in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in history. He later worked toward a master’s degree in history from Lamar University, where he also taught, before attending Thurgood Marshall School of Law and becoming licensed in 1993. He has practiced law locally for more than three decades, much of that time just steps away from the courthouse.
Zbranek said law was not always his first ambition.
“At one point, I wanted to be a marine biologist, and then there’s certain movie came out called ‘Jaws,’” he said. “And I said, no, I think I want to go to law school now.”
That decision eventually led him to build a career representing Liberty County residents.
He also spoke about the influence of his father, the late Judge Zeke Zbranek, who served as judge of the 75th State District Court for more than a decade.
“The reason the people gravitated toward him because they could trust him,” Zbranek said, adding that his father’s reputation for fairness left a lasting impression on him.
When asked why he is seeking the bench now, Zbranek said experience and timing both played a role.
“The window of opportunity is shrinking to become a judge,” he said, noting that he believes the position requires both stamina and sound judgment. He added that serving on the 75th District Court is something he has long admired, not only because of his father’s service but also because of the judges who followed.
Throughout the interview, Zbranek emphasized how practicing law in a rural county differs from practicing in large metropolitan areas. He said policies designed for urban courts often fail to account for the rural way of life.
“All you’re doing is driving up the cost of the people that I’m going to represent,” he said, describing frustrations he has experienced when statewide proposals do not fit counties like Liberty.
As the conversation turned to how judges should treat the people who appear before them, Zbranek recalled advice he heard years ago at a Billy Graham crusade. Graham, he said, was talking about puppy love — feelings adults often dismiss as trivial. Zbranek remembered Graham saying, “You gotta remember, it’s real to the puppy.” Zbranek said that idea stayed with him.
“When you’re a judge, it’s real to these people,” he said. “You’ve got to take it absolutely serious. And listen to them.”
He also addressed how judges balance fairness with efficiency, saying rigid time limits can sometimes undermine justice.
“I don’t believe in putting the time limit on anything,” Zbranek said. “So take the time that’s needed.”
He said giving people the opportunity to be heard is central to maintaining trust in the judicial system.
Zbranek discussed Liberty County’s rapid growth and the strain it places on the courts, including heavier caseloads and the need for interpreters.
“There are just no doubt that that’s needed,” he said, adding that creativity and planning will be required to meet the county’s evolving needs.
When discussing judicial discretion, Zbranek stressed that district judges operate within clear boundaries.
“District courts aren’t for trailblazing. They’re there to follow the law. That’s it.”
He added that a defendant’s history matters in sentencing decisions, saying, “History predicts the future.”
Zbranek believes his 32 years of legal experience distinguish him in the race.
“There will be nothing that will come in front of me that I haven’t seen before,” he said.
He told voters he hopes that experience translates into confidence.
“You can walk in that courtroom and look at me and say, ‘I trust him.’ I absolutely trust him.”
The full interview with Zack Zbranek is available on the Headlines and Heartlines podcast on YouTube by clicking HERE, or on Spotify by clicking HERE. The interview will also be aired on KILE FM Radio on Tuesday and Friday, Jan. 13 and 16, with both shows starting at 10 a.m.
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