VOTE411 Voter Guide

I am a lifelong Houstonian, USAF veteran, and proven business leader who has spent decades building companies, managing large teams, and delivering projects on time and on budget. As founder of Beckner-Howell Building Corp., I have led complex operations, balanced budgets, and made real-world decisions requiring accountability and results, not politics. Unlike career politicians, I understand how organizations function and have studied Harris County government in detail, including how the Commissioners Court agenda is built and controlled. I bring a clear, executable plan and stepped away from my business to focus full-time this mission to meet Harris County's need for a leader who knows how to fix systems, not just talk about them.

The two most pressing issues are out-of-control spending and declining public safety. First, we must restore fiscal discipline. I will implement forensic audits across departments, restructure the Commissioners Court agenda process, and eliminate waste and duplication. By applying private-sector accountability, we will lower taxes, reduce toll burdens, and deliver services efficiently. Second, we must strengthen public safety. Crime and human trafficking remain major concerns for Harris County families. I will coordinate law enforcement agencies to improve response times, ensure officers have the resources they need, and prioritize policies that support, not undermine law enforcement. Public safety will be treated as a core responsibility.

I am the only Houston leader to have served as City Councilmember, City Controller, and Mayor. I managed multi-billion-dollar budgets, oversaw thousands of employees, led emergency response during major storms, and delivered long-term infrastructure investments. As Controller, I built deep expertise in fiscal oversight and accountability. As Mayor, I governed during economic downturns while protecting core services, without raising the tax rate. I have extensive experience protecting and managing the city during natural disasters and emergencies. This experience directly aligns with the County Judge’s responsibility to manage budgets, set policy direction, manage emergencies, and coordinate across departments and jurisdictions.

My top priorities are: First, to deliver equitable, data-driven infrastructure investments that reduce flooding, improve mobility, and correct historic underinvestment in working-class neighborhoods. Second, to strengthen county public health and safety systems by expanding access to preventive care, mental health services, and coordinated responses to homelessness, while ensuring transparency and accountability in public safety practices. My plan relies on the core powers of the County Judge: budgeting, agenda-setting, coordination, and coalition-building. I will insist on transparency through public dashboards, regular reporting, and open engagement so residents can track progress and hold county government accountable.

I am uniquely qualified to serve as Harris County Judge, bringing a blend of executive experience and a real commitment to equity. As a small business owner for 25 years and a Houston City Council Member, I have the fiscal discipline and leadership needed to manage our multibillion dollar budget on day one. As the most progressive candidate in this race, I am the leader Harris County needs to move beyond the status quo with bold, future focused solutions. My record shows I do not back down. I have led through six major disasters, fought for environmental justice in the 5th Ward, and passed landmark apartment reforms. I am a principled advocate who will challenge the establishment to ensure accountability and fairness for every resident.

Justice Decarceration and Reinvestment: Immediately shift County funding and policy to maximize Cite and Release, expand the Public Defender's Office, and invest in non-police emergency response to dramatically reduce the jail population and end the cycling of black and brown individuals through the justice system. Community Health, Resilience Equity Access: Aggressively fund the strategic expansion of Harris Health Satellite Clinics or Mobile units into underserved communities of color, while championing Medicaid Expansion and fully resourcing behavioral and mental health services to address the root causes of instability and the high uninsured rate. Support and fund the Community Flood Resilience Task Force (i.e. Resilience HUBS)

6 years Houston City Council, 12 years Harris County Treasurer, Certified County Investment Officer. Honors BA University of Houston, 18 years bank board of directors, HCA Hospital board of directors, UH Foundation board of trustees & investment committee chairman. Winner of two transparency awards in government finance. U.S. Air Force & Texas National Guard. First responder with North Channel EMS. The only candidate for county judge who has helped pass a property tax rate cut in the city of Houston earning the Political Courage Award from the Harris County Republican Party. I'm the only candidate with nearly two decades of experience at the city & Harris County. A conservative and NOT a member of the AFL-CIO & never endorsed a Democrat.

1) CRIME: Over 40% of homicides in the County remained unsolved last year, rape statistics are even worse: Sheriff's Office at 12% and HPD at around 9.9%. There are over 12,065 certified peace officers in Harris County, yet, if a citizen's life is in danger, there is no assistance from a nearby agency. Why couldn't Metro Police respond, or a nearby school district peace officer, perhaps a constable? I will create a "Public Safety District" allowing any peace officer to respond to emergencies. 2) TAXES: Stop the corruption, misuse & waste of property tax payer's money. Since 2018, when I was Harris County Treasurer, the tax rate has increased dramatically along with wasteful spending. I will fight to CUT property taxes & STOP Corruption.