Henry holds early lead over Smith in Galveston County judge race

Incumbent Galveston County Judge Mark Henry led Democratic challenger Albert "Al" Smith as early voting results came in Tuesday night, the final day of the November general election.

Unofficial totals showed Henry, a Republican, with 56.6% of the early vote to Smith's 43.4%. Henry is seeking a fifth term after first winning the office in 2010. Smith ran unopposed in the Democratic primary; Henry defeated Chris Kinard in the Republican primary earlier this year.

The county judge presides over the Galveston County commissioners court. The office carries a four-year term with no term limits.

Henry campaigned on lowering taxes, increasing law enforcement and shrinking county government. He pointed to what he called an almost 50% cut in the county property tax rate over his 15 years in office, along with reductions in county debt and a top bond rating for the county. His social media listed endorsements from Gov. Greg Abbott and state Reps. Dennis Paul and Greg Bonnen.

"We are of course pleased. We thought we would do better, but we're safe, and Election Day will not dramatically change the outcome," Henry told Houston Public Media on Tuesday evening. He added: "I understand people's frustrations with the economy and gas prices, but at the local level we don't have much to do with that."

Smith is a former educator and military veteran who serves in the Rotary Club of Texas City. His campaign materials called for directing county resources to historically underserved neighborhoods, improving access to essential services and backing new housing development.

"I really appreciate everybody's support. My constituents, Democrats and the Republican people of Galveston County, it's been really, really great," Smith said Tuesday evening.

All members of the Galveston County commissioners court are Republicans. Commissioners Joe Giusti and Robin Armstrong, both Republicans, ran unopposed in the general election.