Election
BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN
KEY: *Incumbent
Montgomery County judge, Republican primary
Mark Keough* Occupation & Experience: Montgomery County judge, 2019-present; state representative, 2014-18; dealer principal/ general manager, automotive industry www.markkeough.org
Wayne Mack Occupation & Experience: almost 40 years of public service, law enforcement experience, executive leadership, community-based problem solving www.waynemack.org
What would your top priorities be if elected? To protect our quality of life, we need a modern jail, courthouse and expanded roads. I’ve used my current term to lay the foundation for these improvements; in my next, we will deliver them. These are vital investments in our safety and economy that we must see through.
My priorities will always be fiscal discipline, public safety, infrastructure planning and restoring collaboration within county government. Leadership means aligning budget outcomes and managing the growth responsibilities that are inevitable in our county. Ensuring county services operate efficiently, transparently and with respect to taxpayers. Leadership should never be optional.
What are the biggest challenges facing Montgomery County? We face pressure from rapid growth, rising regional crime and aging infrastructure. The challenge is building a modern jail, courthouse and wider roads without turning into Harris County. I am committed to managing this growth responsibly, keeping our community secure and fighting for low taxes. What should the county’s budgeting priorities be? Budgeting must prioritize public safety and infrastructure. I will continue to fully fund our law enforcement to maintain law and order and invest in essential capital improvements like our jail, courthouse and roads. We will deliver these necessities efficiently, continuing to ensure tax dollars are focused on needs, not waste.
Rapid growth; rising property taxes and insurance costs; infrastructure strain; and the need for stronger coordination among county departments and partner agencies to serve residents effectively.
Budgets should prioritize public safety, core services and infrastructure while exercising restraint. When property values rise, increasing revenues, government should not automatically grow. Families pay bills, not percentages, and the county government must respect that reality.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.
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THE WOODLANDS EDITION
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