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VOTE411 Voter Guide

Montgomery County Judge

As the highest ranking executive official, the County Judge presides over the County Commissioners Court (non-judicial), which has budgetary and administrative authority over all county government operations. Additionally, the county judge is responsible for overseeing elections and for civil defense preparedness and disaster response. Term: Four (4) years.

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    Mark Keough
    (Rep)

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    James Graf
    (Dem)

Biographical Information

Background: What would you like people to know about you?

Qualifications: What training, experience and characteristics qualify you for this position?

Challenges: Identify what you see as the two most important issues affecting county governance and the residents of Montgomery County and give specific examples of measurable actions you would take to address these issues.

Elections: What are two steps you would support to improve Montgomery County voter participation in elections in general and younger voters in particular?

Infrastructure: What infrastructure plans do you feel are needed to address the large population growth we are experiencing?

Accountability: What steps would you take to promote transparency and accountability of Commissioners Court’s actions to the people of Montgomery County?

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Paolina and I are new empty nesters and I’m ready to serve the community. I have met wonderful people while campaigning, pleased to find common ground across the political spectrum. A man of faith, I’m a uniter not a partisan, able to work with everyone for the common good. I pledge to serve only one term, focusing on results not politics, beholden to no donors, party bosses or the next election.
I have nearly 40 years experience including development financing, large scale budgets, investment banking, corporate management and boardrooms, including the last 15 years as CEO, CFO and/or board director of public companies. As a leader, I know how to make hard choices, motivate staff, manage public relations, develop and execute long-term financial plans and attract economic development.
Fiscal responsibility requires an honest, integrated long-term plan. The county budget only considers 1 year. Kicking the can is not conservative governance. Luck runs out. $118M in Biden ARPA funds run out this year and the appraisal bump on taxes may be offset by legislation. I will deliver my draft county financial model within 3 months of assuming office to help guide responsible decisions.
Students can establish lifetime voting habits early. Voters need to believe their vote matters. High school officials now are required to distribute voter registration applications to eligible students. I’ll talk with students about voting, civics and the importance of primaries; and try to disclose registration stats of each school, host general election debates and refute election fraud claims.
Roads, water and power are needed to support growth, along with safe and secure courthouse and jail facilities. Water and power are outside the county’s direct control, and road planning is typically driven by county commissioners in their precincts. As County Judge, I pledge to spearhead the necessary and long-delayed courthouse and jail projects and related funding as my infrastructure priority.
1) Publicize agendas and financial reports widely. 2) Make it easier to track payments against the budget. 3) Move some Court sessions to evenings to increase community attendance. 4) Host open quarterly community update sessions around the county, not just for select partisan clubs. 5) Disclose gifts and political donations from those doing business with the county before contracts are approved.
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