Keough Wins Third Term as Montgomery County Judge
Mark Keough has won reelection as Montgomery County judge, defeating Democrat James Graf in the November 3 election. Unofficial results put Keough, a Republican, at 66% of the vote and Graf at 34%. Keough announced his victory and will begin a four-year term in January 2027, his third in the role. He has served as county judge since 2019 and previously represented Texas House District 15 for two terms.
Keough campaigned on his record of reducing county tax rates, road spending and support for law enforcement. He also pledged to manage the county’s population growth, improve infrastructure and keep budgets conservative. Graf, a business and finance professional, emphasized long-term financial planning, transparency and infrastructure, along with preparing for growth and future demands on public safety, roads and county facilities.
The county judge does not oversee a courtroom. The office leads Commissioners Court, which makes decisions on the county budget, infrastructure, public safety, emergency management and other services. The election therefore determines who will guide county-level priorities as Montgomery County addresses growth and public needs.
Keough’s Reelection Leaves County Growth Plans in Republican Hands
Mark Keough’s reelection gives a Republican incumbent another four-year term leading Montgomery County Commissioners Court, after he defeated Democrat James Graf on November 3. Unofficial results showed Keough with 66% of the vote and Graf with 34%; Keough’s new term begins in January 2027.
The contest put two different approaches to county growth before voters. Keough highlighted tax-rate reductions, road investments and backing for law enforcement, while promising conservative budgeting. Graf, a business and finance professional, called for long-term financial planning and greater transparency, alongside infrastructure improvements and preparation for future demands on roads, public safety and county facilities.
The stakes extend beyond the title: the county judge leads Commissioners Court as it handles the budget, infrastructure, emergency management and public safety. Keough’s focus on conservative budgeting and tax reductions won the race, while Graf’s emphasis on planning and transparency did not. Montgomery County’s next decisions on growth and services will now be directed by Keough, who has held the office since 2019 and previously served two terms in the Texas House.
Montgomery County Voters Keep Keough’s Conservative Leadership
Montgomery County voters returned Republican Mark Keough to office, choosing his record of lower county tax rates, road investment and support for law enforcement over Democrat James Graf. Unofficial results gave Keough 66% and Graf 34%. Keough’s third four-year term starts in January 2027.
Keough campaigned on conservative budgeting as the county manages rapid growth, while Graf argued for long-term financial planning, transparency and upgrades to infrastructure and county facilities. The result keeps the county’s leadership with an incumbent who has served as judge since 2019 and previously represented Texas House District 15 for two terms.
The county judge leads Commissioners Court, which oversees the budget and decisions on roads, public safety, emergency management and other services; the office is not a courtroom judgeship. Keough’s victory means his priorities will guide those county decisions for another term. Graf’s focus on planning and transparency offered an alternative, but voters gave Keough a decisive advantage in the unofficial count.
Reported by KPRC 2 Click2Houston, FOX 26 Houston.
