Fort Bend County Judge race pits incumbent KP George against Commissioner Dexter McCoy amid legal proceedings
A high-stakes local contest takes shape ahead of the November 3, 2026 general election
Fort Bend County’s 2026 race for county judge is crystallizing into a contest between incumbent KP George and Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy, as the fast-growing suburban county weighs governance priorities alongside ongoing criminal cases involving the sitting county judge.
County records show the county judge position is on the ballot in the Nov. 3, 2026 general election. George currently holds the office, and McCoy is listed as the officeholder for Commissioner, Precinct 4—one of the four seats on the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court, the county’s policymaking body.
What the county judge role controls
The Fort Bend County judge presides over Commissioners Court and serves as the county’s director of homeland security and emergency management. Official county materials describe the office as overseeing thousands of county employees and a budget exceeding $650 million, placing the position at the center of decisions on infrastructure, public safety coordination, and long-range planning tied to regional growth.
George’s candidacy amid multiple criminal matters
George, first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, has publicly stated he intends to seek another term in 2026 after switching political parties in June 2025.
George faces two felony money laundering charges filed in April 2025. Prosecutors have described the money laundering allegations as connected to alleged wire fraud and tampering with a campaign finance report. Under Texas law, certain felony convictions can trigger removal from office.
Separately, George was indicted in September 2024 on a misdemeanor count of misrepresentation of identity tied to allegations involving fake online messages during the 2022 campaign cycle. As of Jan. 7, 2026, that misdemeanor case had been reset for trial on May 5, 2026 after prosecutors disclosed additional documents that defense attorneys needed to review.
McCoy’s background and campaign posture
McCoy has served as Precinct 4 commissioner since January 2023. County biographical information lists his prior work as an Obama administration appointee focused on education-related initiatives, experience in Fort Bend ISD leadership, and service on the Gulf Coast Workforce Development Board. The same materials describe his local government work as including efforts to expand internet access through an $11 million public-private partnership and support for a nonprofit grant program.
Issues likely to define the race
- Transportation planning and mobility as population growth continues across Fort Bend County
- Public safety and emergency management coordination
- County budgeting, project delivery, and administrative oversight
The contest is unfolding in parallel with court timelines that could shape campaign messaging, voter focus, and governance continuity before Election Day.
Candidate filing and primary-election specifics will determine the final ballot lineup, but the George–McCoy matchup is already positioning the county judge race as one of Fort Bend County’s most closely watched political contests of 2026.