The primary election will be held on March 1 with early voting taking place Feb. 14-25. The winners for each party in the March primaries will be on the ballot in the November general election.
Candidate responses may have been edited for length and clarity.
*Indicates incumbent
Grady Prestage*
Experience: Fort Bend County Precinct 2 commissioner since January 1991; developed numerous county facilities, including parks, community centers, libraries, annex buildings and major mobility projects
Occupation: commissioner
Contact: 281-433-4444
Website: www.gradyprestage.com
Larry Blackmon
Experience: I have 40 years of public service as a teacher while gaining administrative experience serving on three boards with city of Houston and as assistant to the city manager of Galveston.
Occupation: retired teacher
Contact: 281-415-0351
Website: www.larryblackmoncampaign.com
Geneane R. Hughes
Experience: 20-plus years of executive administration; experience in public administration; served on policy and procedure boards; certified strategic/urban planner; experienced emergency manager; served as chief planner during Hurricane Harvey; managed million-dollar budgets for city and counties
Occupation: peace officer
Contact: 832-865-0625
Website: www.geneanehughesforpct2commissioner.com
QUESTIONS
Q: What would be your three priorities if you were elected?
Prestage: Candidate did not submit responses as of press time.
Blackmon: Economic opportunities—my plan is to expand and advance economic development opportunities by closely working with the electorate; business and educational communities; [and] state and municipal elected officials to expand and grow the middle class through community development, workforce training and investment in education. Quality environment—my plan is to enhance the quality of life through safe, efficient transportation planning; capital facilities planning (including flood control and drainage safeguards); [inserting] environmental and resource conservation programs for safe drinking water and related capital facilities programming with infrastructure upgrades; and [bringing] enhanced access to broadband internet capacity to advance internet access for commerce, education and disaster preparedness. Health care accessibility—my plan is to enhance health care accessibility through medical corridors for the residents of Precinct 2 strategically placed for a faster response time to save lives.
Hughes: Business inclusiveness for all Precinct 2 constituents regardless of race, gender and age. Attract fine retail and dining; bringing additional jobs. Recently, in commissioners court I had a front row seat to the minimization of the People’s Voice! I will fight for future community involvement when it comes to major/minor changes that affect the future of your family and quality of life, such as our recent redistricting.
Q: We have a lot of diversity and a lot of development. What will you do to ensure that all of your constituents are represented with Fort Bend County as diverse as it is?
Prestage: Candidate did not submit responses as of press time.
Blackmon: Candidate did not submit responses as of press time.
Hughes: My goal is inclusiveness and community input. Trusting in the process of communication with all the constituents’ issues, concerns and ideas will ensure they are being represented. Due to the diversity, there will be different perspectives; however, I believe constituents can come to a median when they feel they have been heard. I plan to have quarterly open forums as well as create a community board of trustees to both plan and execute various concerns.
Q: What do you think will be your biggest challenge if you are elected?
Prestage: Candidate did not submit responses as of press time.
Blackmon: Candidate did not submit responses as of press time.
Hughes: My biggest challenge will be the infrastructure as it pertains to ensuring the support of small businesses such as grant awareness.
