Fort Bend Democrats projected to take control of county court

Fort Bend County residents will see a change in leadership at the top of the commissioners court in January if current polls hold. As of 10 p.m. Tuesday, Democrats were leading in three of the four major county races.

Dexter McCoy, who is leading Daniel Wong 60 percent to 40 percent, is set to become the new county judge. If elected, McCoy will be sworn into office in January. He will join April Jones, who is winning the Precinct 4 commissioner seat that McCoy currently holds.

Brian Middleton, the first African American elected as Fort Bend County district attorney, is expected to secure a third term. At 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Middleton held a 61 percent lead over challenger Shawn McDonald.

The path to the county judge seat involved a contentious primary season. McCoy defeated Sugar Land Municipal Court Associate Judge Rachelle Carter in a March runoff with 74 percent of the vote. By the time McCoy secured the Democratic nomination, Republican candidate Daniel Wong had already been appointed as interim judge by a visiting judge from Galveston County.

Many observers, including McCoy, viewed the interim appointment as a strategic advantage for the GOP. Tensions increased after Democrat-turned-Republican County Judge KP George was convicted of felony money laundering this year. George finished last in the Republican primary, which Wong won.

During the campaign, Wong hired Trever Nehls as his chief of staff. Nehls had previously run for the U.S. Congressional seat held by his twin brother Troy. When County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson sued Wong, claiming his appointment expired in June, Wong removed her office's authority and moved her employees to a new civil litigation division.

Since June, McCoy and Democrat Grady Prestage have boycotted most commissioners court meetings. They argue the gatherings are illegal while Wong presides. Prestage is leading challenger Tony Aranda 75 percent to 25 percent in the Precinct 1 race.

If the current trends continue, Democrats will hold a 3-2 majority on commissioners court in January. A trial regarding the validity of Wong's appointment is scheduled for later this month, though it may be rendered moot by the election results.

Fort Bend County is the most diverse county in Texas, with nearly 1 million residents. The population includes 29 percent white, 25 percent Latino, 22 percent Asian American, and 20 percent Black residents. A Texas Southern University poll conducted last month predicted strong Democratic support in the county.

Rice University political scientist Mark Jones, who helped conduct the TSU poll, noted that Black voters in the area support Democratic candidates at a 90-10 margin. Jones stated that Black voters punch above their population weight in the Fort Bend County electorate. The Precinct 4 race also featured a dispute over residency documents, but April Jones is projected to defeat Republican Ken Mathews with a 69 percent lead.