Also of note
Early voting begins Feb. 17 for March 3 primary races in Texas, including several county and state contests.
Community Impact sent each candidate a Q&A with a deadline for response to ensure equal opportunity. Answers were limited to 50 words each, and answers that came in over 50 words were cut from the end to fit.
The candidates' responses are below.
* indicates the incumbent candidate
Mark Keough*
Occupation & Experience:
Montgomery County judge, 2019-present; state representative 2014-2018; dealer principle/general manager—automotive industry
Candidate Website:
https://www.markkeough.org
Why are you running for office?
To keep Montgomery County strong, safe, and free. I’ve delivered historic 20% tax cuts, fully funded law enforcement, and secured our elections. I’m a battle-tested conservative who protects your wallet and your values. I delivered on my contract with you, and I’m ready to do it again.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
To protect our quality of life, we need a modern jail, courthouse, and expanded roads. I’ve used my current term to lay the foundation for these improvements; in my next, we will deliver them. These are vital investments in our safety and economy that we must see through.
What are the biggest challenges facing Montgomery County?
We face pressure from rapid growth, rising regional crime, and aging infrastructure. The challenge is building a modern jail, courthouse and wider roads without turning into Harris County. I am committed to managing this growth responsibly, keeping our community secure, and fighting for low taxes.
What should the county’s budgeting priorities be?
Budgeting must prioritize public safety and infrastructure. I will continue to fully fund our law enforcement to maintain law and order and invest in essential capital improvements like our jail, courthouse and roads. We will deliver these necessities efficiently, continuing to ensure tax dollars are focused on needs, not waste.
What is the county’s biggest challenge to public safety, and how would you solve it?
The challenge is maintaining a culture of deterrence as we grow. An aging jail undermines that. I will solve it by upgrading our detention facilities and courthouse, ensuring we have the capacity to prosecute and incarcerate offenders swiftly. We will not compromise on safety.
How will you collaborate with other governing bodies in the county?
I collaborate when it serves our citizens, not bureaucracy. We will partner with cities on shared goals like infrastructure and safety, but I will never compromise Montgomery County’s sovereignty or tax dollars for unnecessary projects. Cooperation must yield a tangible return on investment.
Wayne Mack
Occupation & Experience:
Almost forty years of public service, law enforcement experience, executive leadership, community based problem solving
Candidate Website:
https://www.waynemack.org
Contact Information:
936-900-9094
Why are you running for office?
I’m running to bring disciplined, servant leadership to county government. Families are facing rising costs and they deserve leadership that respects taxpayers, demands accountability, and ensures county government serves people, not itself, by focusing on ROI results, stewardship, and true servant leadership matters.
What would your top priorities be if elected?
My priorities will always be fiscal discipline, public safety, infrastructure planning, and restoring collaboration within county government. Leadership means aligning budget outcomes and managing the growth responsibilities that are inevitable in our county. Ensuring county services operate efficiently, transparently, and with respect to taxpayers. Leadership should never be optional.
What are the biggest challenges facing Montgomery County?
Rapid growth, rising property taxes and insurance costs, infrastructure strain, and the need for stronger coordination among county departments and partner agencies to serve residents effectively.
What should the county’s budgeting priorities be?
Budgets should prioritize public safety, core services, and infrastructure while exercising restraint. When property values rise, increasing revenues, government should not automatically grow. Families pay bills, not percentages, and the county government must respect that reality.
What is the county’s biggest challenge to public safety, and how would you solve it?
Growth is straining public safety resources. The county must plan proactively, support first responders, improve coordination across agencies, and ensure funding decisions are tied to measurable outcomes and community safety needs.
How will you collaborate with other governing bodies in the county?
The county judge is the county’s CEO. I will lead through communication, servant leadership, collaboration, and accountability bringing elected officials, departments, cities, and partner agencies together to solve problems and serve residents efficiently.
