Mark Keough will lead Montgomery County for four more years after winning re-election as county judge on Tuesday, Nov. 3, with roughly two-thirds of the vote.
Keough, a Republican, collected 149,484 votes, or 65.65%, to Democratic challenger James Graf's 78,223 votes, or 34.35%, according to unofficial results from Montgomery County Elections published by CW39 Houston. Graf conceded the race Tuesday night, Hoodline reported, citing Click2Houston.
The results are unofficial until canvassed by the county.
For Woodlands residents, the county judge race carries outsized weight. The Woodlands is unincorporated, which means Commissioners Court handles decisions on roads, public safety, emergency management and other county services that incorporated cities manage on their own. The county judge presides over that five-member court, according to CW39.
Keough was first elected in 2018 and took office in January 2019, CW39 reported. Before becoming county judge, he represented Texas House District 15, serving two terms in the Legislature, according to Hoodline, citing the county's own account.
The general election followed a tight Republican primary in March. Keough edged fellow Republican Wayne Mack by 1,519 votes, pulling in 38,632 votes, or 51%, to Mack's 37,113, or 49%, according to unofficial results Hoodline attributed to Community Impact.
The November contest was far less competitive. Montgomery County had 488,292 registered voters as of Nov. 4, according to the county elections office.
The Houston Chronicle reported that Keough spoke at his watch party on election night. "This is number three and we have a lot to accomplish. Game on," Keough said, according to the Chronicle's account.
Keough's new four-year term begins in January 2027, Hoodline reported.
