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Fort Bend County residents will choose between Tamara McFarlane and Sonya Jones for county clerk in the Nov. 3 election.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been minimally edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
For more information on voting and polling locations, visit www.fortbendcountytx.gov. For more election coverage, visit www.communityimpact.com.
Property investment business owner, Texas state curriculum reviewer, legislative analyst
Why did you choose to run for this position?
I prayed about this decision and felt called to serve. I am running to put my decades of experience to protect elections, records and home titles for the people of Fort Bend. I want to give back to the county I love as a public servant for all.
What are your qualifications for why you’d be a strong candidate in this role?
My experience directly aligns with the County Clerk’s Office. I am an award-winning government auditor who saved taxpayers millions, a Fortune 500 land acquisitions and divestitures expert, a former Central Count Election Judge and a successful property investment business owner, with a proven record of improving systems and delivering results.
What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Fort Bend County?
Protecting your home titles and your vote will be my top priority. I will prevent home title fraud, champion election integrity and ensure accurate, timely records. I will support the excellent staff, preserve continuity of service and lead a valued team focused on serving you.
What do you think is the most pressing issue for Fort Bend County, and what will you do to address it?
Fort Bend’s rapid growth requires a Clerk’s Office that can keep pace without driving up costs or compromising security. I will modernize and integrate technology, strengthen cybersecurity and build on staff expertise to optimize operations—without growing government or wasting taxpayer dollars.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
Government should meet people where they are. I will listen to residents, legal professionals, and title companies, do community & veteran outreach, and promote election transparency and information that protects homeowners. Start here—Fort Bend County’s free Property Fraud Alert: propertyfraudalert.com/TXFortBend
How should the county prepare to address its fast-growing population?
Fort Bend must manage growth without pricing families out of their homes or losing its heritage. We need experienced, CEO-caliber leadership to manage an $800 million budget, protect public safety, plan roads and infrastructure ahead of growth, and use commercial revenue to reduce the property-tax burden on homeowners.
Policy analyst with hands-on experience managing complex public programs and ensuring strong governance and accountability
Why did you choose to run for this position?
I chose to run because I love Fort Bend County and believe deeply in serving its people. My years in public service, education, policy and business have prepared me to lead with integrity, listen to residents and ensure the County Clerk’s Office keeps pace with our growing community.
What are your qualifications for why you’d be a strong candidate in this role?
I bring experience in public service, education, policy and real estate, including serving as a Fort Bend ISD trustee. These experiences have strengthened my leadership, governance, fiscal responsibility and constituent service skills, preparing me to lead the County Clerk’s Office with integrity, efficiency and a commitment to residents.
What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Fort Bend County?
My top priority is simple: make government work better for the people of Fort Bend County. I will focus on modernizing services, expanding access to records, protecting vital information and delivering efficient, respectful customer service—because every resident deserves a County Clerk’s Office that works for them.
What do you think is the most pressing issue for Fort Bend County, and what will you do to address it?
The most pressing issue is ensuring Fort Bend County’s services keep pace with rapid residential and business growth. As County Clerk, I will champion forward-thinking leadership, modernize operations, expand access to services and records and plan ahead so the Clerk’s Office is ready to serve tomorrow’s residents and businesses.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
I will make resident input an essential part of the County Clerk’s Office through regular community engagement, surveys and accessible feedback channels. By listening to residents, businesses, legal professionals and community organizations, we can identify priorities, improve services and ensure the Clerk’s Office remains responsive to the people it serves.
How should the county prepare to address its fast-growing population?
Fort Bend must plan ahead, not simply react to growth. Forward-thinking leadership means anticipating increased demand, investing wisely in capacity and preserving high-quality, responsive service. As county clerk, I will ensure the office is prepared to meet tomorrow’s needs while keeping residents at the center of every decision.
