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Fort Bend County residents will choose between Daniel Wong and Dexter L. McCoy for county judge 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.
Fort Bend County Judge; civil engineer; business owner; former Sugar Land City Council member
Why did you choose to run for this position?
Fort Bend has been my home for more than 35 years, and I want to keep it a great place to live, work, raise a family and build a business. I am running to bring my engineering, business and public-service experience to managing our growth responsibly and protecting taxpayers.
What are your qualifications for why you’d be a strong candidate in this role?
I’m a civil engineer who built an engineering firm that grew to more than 400 employees. I’ve served on Sugar Land City Council, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and in numerous community leadership roles. As county judge, I bring business experience, technical expertise and decades of public service.
What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Fort Bend County?
My priority is managing Fort Bend’s growth while protecting taxpayers and essential services. We’ve already lowered the county tax rate from 41.2 to 40.7 cents, protected county employees and pursued new investment. We must continue strengthening infrastructure and public safety while demanding responsible, efficient government.
What do you think is the most pressing issue for Fort Bend County, and what will you do to address it?
Our greatest challenge is keeping pace with rapid growth. We must plan ahead for roads, drainage, public safety and essential services while attracting businesses and investment that strengthen our tax base. As a civil engineer and business owner, I understand the importance of planning today for tomorrow’s needs.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
Good government starts with listening. Residents deserve to know what their county government is doing, why decisions are made and how they are affected. I will continue prioritizing transparency and accessibility through Commissioners Court, community meetings and, most importantly, getting into our communities and listening directly to residents.
How should the county prepare to address its fast-growing population?
We need long-term planning for roads, drainage, public safety and county services, but infrastructure is only part of the equation. We must also attract investment, create good-paying jobs and partner with schools and colleges to build the skilled workforce employers need. Our economy and infrastructure must grow with our population.
County Commissioner, Fort Bend County Precinct 4; Former Chief of Staff, Fort Bend County Judge
Why did you choose to run for this position?
For too long Fort Bend has focused on the issues of politicians—not the people’s issues. I am running for county judge because our agenda must be making Fort Bend more affordable, attracting commercial development, addressing infrastructure, investing in transit initiatives and bringing truth and transparency back to county government.
What are your qualifications for why you’d be a strong candidate in this role?
I grew up in Fort Bend and my career is dedicated to public service. I am the only candidate with federal and local experience. While working in President Obama’s administration I fought for education access for our nation’s children. In FBISD, I provided students and educators the support they deserve.
What is your top priority if elected to represent the citizens of Fort Bend County?
My top priority would be addressing affordability. I will champion responsible budgeting, transparent spending and targeted tax relief for residents. We must grow our commercial tax base and attract quality jobs so infrastructure costs aren’t placed solely on homeowners and renters.
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 I see is affordability. Residents are struggling to pay their property taxes and afford to buy a home in our community. I will continue to work to make housing more attainable and grow our commercial tax base to lighten the burden on our residential properties.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
I will expand my budget town hall meetings from Precinct 4 to the entire county. We have held nearly 40 town hall meetings across the precinct. Each year I have held budget town halls to allow the community to determine what the county should prioritize in the budget process.
How should the county prepare to address its fast-growing population?
As a fast-growing county, Fort Bend’s growth must work for residents and attract quality job opportunities. I will initiate a plan for Fort Bend County to serve as a roadmap for development in the future. Without clear direction we will remain reactive to, rather than prepared for, rapid growth.
