McCoy Claims Win in Fort Bend County Judge Contest

Dexter McCoy declared victory on November 3 in the race to lead Fort Bend County, where vote totals put him ahead of interim County Judge Daniel Wong, 60% to 40%. McCoy, a Democrat and outgoing Precinct 4 commissioner, is set to take office in January if the result holds. Wong, a Republican, was appointed interim judge in April after the suspension of former judge KP George.

The appointment became a focus of a dispute over whether Wong had authority to remain in the role. The county attorney’s office challenged his authority, and a trial on the issue was scheduled. McCoy and fellow Democratic commissioner Grady Prestage had boycotted most commissioners court meetings, arguing that sessions led by Wong were illegal and that decisions made there could face court challenges.

The county judge leads Commissioners Court, which handles the county budget and decisions on roads, public safety and other services. McCoy campaigned on affordability, infrastructure and managing growth; Wong emphasized transparency, accountability and restoring public trust.

Democrats also appeared headed for wins in other closely watched races. April Jones led Republican Ken Mathews by 69% to 31% in the Precinct 4 commissioner contest, while District Attorney Brian Middleton led challenger Shawn McDonald 61% to 39%. Prestage held a 75% lead over Tony Aranda.

If the current tallies stand, McCoy, Jones and Prestage would give Democrats a 3-2 majority on Commissioners Court in January. The county has nearly 1 million residents and has faced political and legal turmoil following George’s money-laundering conviction and suspension from office.

Fort Bend Democrats Poised to Take County Leadership

Fort Bend County voters appeared ready to give Democrats control of the county’s top leadership posts, with Dexter McCoy declaring victory over interim Judge Daniel Wong and leading 60% to 40% in vote totals on November 3. If the results hold, McCoy, April Jones and Grady Prestage will form a 3-2 Democratic majority on Commissioners Court in January.

The outcome comes after a bitter fight over Wong’s appointment. A visiting Republican judge appointed him interim judge in April after the suspension of former judge KP George. The county attorney’s office challenged Wong’s authority to remain in office, while McCoy and Prestage boycotted most court meetings, arguing that sessions under Wong were unlawful and could leave county decisions open to challenge.

The Republican appointment had drawn suspicion from McCoy and others, while Wong’s office also clashed with County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson after she sued over his authority. Wong stripped her office of its authority and transferred employees to a new civil litigation division.

Jones led Republican Ken Mathews 69% to 31% in the Precinct 4 race, and Middleton led Shawn McDonald 61% to 39% in the district attorney contest. Prestage held a 75% lead over Tony Aranda. The current tallies would give Democrats a majority on the court as it oversees the county budget, roads, public safety and services amid rapid growth.

Fort Bend Voters Choose Change After County Government Turmoil

Fort Bend County voters appeared set to replace Republican interim Judge Daniel Wong with Democrat Dexter McCoy, who declared victory on November 3 while leading 60% to 40% in vote totals. The result would hand Democrats a 3-2 majority on Commissioners Court in January if other current leads hold.

Wong had made transparency, accountability and restoring public trust central to his campaign. His appointment followed the suspension of former judge KP George, and his authority to remain in office became the subject of a lawsuit by the county attorney’s office. The dispute has divided the commissioners court, with McCoy and fellow Democrat Grady Prestage boycotting most meetings led by Wong.

The county judge runs Commissioners Court, which makes decisions on the budget, roads, public safety and other county services. McCoy’s campaign emphasized affordability, infrastructure and managing growth. The county is nearing 1 million residents and faces rapid development, making the office’s oversight responsibilities consequential.

Democrats also led in the other major races: April Jones was ahead of Republican Ken Mathews 69% to 31%, and District Attorney Brian Middleton led Shawn McDonald 61% to 39%. Prestage held a 75% lead over Tony Aranda. The election could end the immediate uncertainty over who will lead the county, while the legal dispute over Wong’s appointment had been set for trial.