Dexter McCoy Leads Fort Bend County Judge Race Over Daniel Wong as Unofficial 2026 Election Results Await Certification
Fort Bend County appears headed for a change in leadership following the November 3, 2026, general election, with Democratic Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy holding a commanding lead over Republican County Judge Daniel Wong, according to unofficial election results.
As of November 6, the Fort Bend County Elections Department reports that McCoy received 191,360 votes, or 59.34%, compared with 131,145 votes, or 40.66%, for Wong. McCoy leads by 60,215 votes, although the results remain unofficial pending the county's election canvass and certification process.
For families and homeowners throughout Fort Bend County, including Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Rosenberg, Sugar Land and Missouri City, the anticipated leadership change could influence decisions involving property taxes, roads, flood protection, public safety and the county's continued growth.
Fort Bend County Judge Election Results 2026: McCoy Leads With Nearly 60% of the Vote
The latest unofficial results show McCoy with a substantial advantage in the countywide contest.
| Candidate | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Dexter L. McCoy (Democrat) | 191,360 | 59.34% |
| Daniel Wong (Republican) | 131,145 | 40.66% |
| Total votes in race | 322,505 | 100% |
Countywide voter turnout reached a reported 57.46%, with 335,015 ballots cast among 583,019 registered voters. The county judge contest accounted for 322,505 votes.
Early voting represented the largest share of votes in the race. McCoy received 157,763 early votes, compared with Wong's 105,959. On Election Day, McCoy received 29,716 votes to Wong's 22,981. Absentee voting added another 3,881 votes for McCoy and 2,205 for Wong.
These figures are unofficial and may change before certification. Although the reported margin strongly favors McCoy, the election outcome will not be formally established until the required canvassing process is completed.
Who Is Dexter McCoy? Fort Bend County Commissioner Positioned to Become County Judge
For Dexter McCoy, the apparent election victory would represent a transition from representing one portion of Fort Bend County to helping lead the county as a whole.
McCoy grew up in the Mission Bend community and attended local public schools before graduating from Boston University. His professional background includes service in the Obama administration and leadership experience with Fort Bend Independent School District.
Elected Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Commissioner in 2022, McCoy took office in January 2023. His work on Commissioners Court has included transportation, parks, county employee benefits and initiatives intended to improve access to government services.
His county service has also included involvement in mobility improvements and the development of the African American Heritage Monument and Park in Kendleton.
McCoy lives in Richmond with his wife, Chelsea, and their two daughters.
During his campaign for county judge, McCoy emphasized affordability, transportation infrastructure, economic opportunity and managing the demands associated with Fort Bend County's continued population growth.
If the unofficial election results are confirmed, McCoy is expected to begin his four-year term as county judge in January 2027.
Daniel Wong's Background and Service as Fort Bend County Judge
Daniel Wong entered the election with decades of experience in engineering, business and local government.
A longtime Fort Bend County resident, Wong previously served as an at-large member of Sugar Land City Council from 2002 to 2008. He also served as chairman of the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and held leadership roles in organizations involved in infrastructure and economic development.
Wong founded an engineering business that grew to more than 400 employees across 13 offices. He earned bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in civil engineering from the University of Houston, along with a master's degree in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Wong and his family have lived in Fort Bend County for more than 35 years.
In April 2026, Wong was appointed interim county judge following the suspension of then-County Judge KP George. His appointment subsequently became the subject of legal disagreements concerning county leadership.
During his campaign for a full elected term, Wong emphasized financial oversight, accountability, government transparency, flood protection and responsible economic development.
Wong continues serving as county judge as the county moves through the post-election process.
Why the Fort Bend County Judge Election Matters to Local Residents
Although the title may suggest otherwise, the Fort Bend County judge primarily serves as a county government leader rather than a traditional courtroom judge.
The county judge presides over the five-member Fort Bend County Commissioners Court, which makes decisions affecting county budgets, infrastructure, public safety, emergency management and essential services.
For homeowners and families, those responsibilities connect to several everyday concerns.
Property taxes and county spending: Commissioners Court adopts the county budget and property tax rate, influencing how county services are funded.
Roads and transportation: County investments in road construction, mobility projects and infrastructure can affect traffic congestion and commuting conditions.
Flood protection and drainage: Drainage improvements and flood mitigation planning remain important considerations as Fort Bend County continues developing.
Public safety and emergency management: County government helps fund public safety operations and coordinate emergency preparedness and disaster response.
Economic development: Infrastructure investments and economic development decisions can influence employment opportunities and the county's long-term financial outlook.
For residents of established neighborhoods and newer master-planned communities throughout Fort Bend County, the election will help determine who leads discussions surrounding these priorities over the next four years.
Election Comes Following a Period of Leadership Changes in Fort Bend County
The 2026 county judge election followed a period of significant changes and legal disagreements within Fort Bend County government.
Former County Judge KP George was suspended from office earlier in 2026 following a felony money-laundering conviction, which he appealed. The circumstances surrounding Wong's appointment as interim county judge subsequently generated additional legal disputes.
Those developments placed county leadership and government operations under increased public scrutiny ahead of the November election.
McCoy and Wong brought different professional backgrounds and approaches to the campaign, although both identified infrastructure, government performance and responsible management of public resources among their priorities.
The election results, once certified, will establish who voters have selected to lead the county into its next four-year term.
What Happens Next? Fort Bend County Election Results Await Official Canvass
As of November 6, 2026, Fort Bend County continues to classify the November 3 election results as unofficial.
Under Texas election law, the county canvass must take place no earlier than November 6 and no later than November 17, 2026. The canvass involves formally reviewing and compiling election returns after eligible ballots have been processed, including applicable provisional and timely received mail ballots.
Following the required certification process, the official results will determine the county's next elected judge.
If McCoy's lead holds, he is expected to take office in January 2027, with a new commissioner also assuming representation of Precinct 4.
Residents can follow the latest vote totals and certification updates through the Fort Bend County Elections Department.
For Fort Bend County families, homeowners and businesses, the coming months will provide an opportunity to follow the leadership transition and learn how the next administration intends to address the community's priorities.
Stay connected with My Neighborhood News for updates on the official election certification, Fort Bend County Commissioners Court and the local government decisions affecting neighborhoods throughout the county.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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