County

Montgomery County Judge

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The county judge presides over the commissioners court, the county's governing body, which sets the county budget and tax rate.

Candidates Compare by issue

James Graf

Democratic

Finance executive

The gist

Pledges no new county revenue beyond growth and inflation.
Proposes publishing an interactive long-term county financial plan.
Proposes holding some commissioners court meetings in the evening.
Supports seeking voter-approved bonds for a new courthouse and jail.
Proposes disclosing long-term costs of development projects seeking approvals.

More about James

View sources (1)

Pledges no new county revenue beyond growth and inflation.
Meet the candidates for Montgomery County Judge
Candidate questionnaire · Community Impact · communityimpact.com
“I would focus on no new revenues beyond growth and inflation. Exceptions may be special voter-approved capital projects.”
Proposes publishing an interactive long-term county financial plan.
Meet the candidates for Montgomery County Judge
Candidate questionnaire · Community Impact · communityimpact.com
“Publish an interactive long-term county financial plan, as a guide for decision-making, budgeting and accountability”
Proposes holding some commissioners court meetings in the evening.
Meet the candidates for Montgomery County Judge
Candidate questionnaire · Community Impact · communityimpact.com
“more public visibility and voice on Commissioners Court agendas, including move to some evening meetings”
Supports seeking voter-approved bonds for a new courthouse and jail.
Meet the candidates for Montgomery County Judge
Candidate questionnaire · Community Impact · communityimpact.com
“I will spearhead effort to secure widespread public support for bonds and work with judges and MCSO”
Proposes disclosing long-term costs of development projects seeking approvals.
Meet the candidates for Montgomery County Judge
Candidate questionnaire · Community Impact · communityimpact.com
“we need to consider and disclose long-term financial, tax traffic and resource impact of development projects seeking approvals”

Mark Keough

RepublicanIncumbent

Montgomery County Judge · The Woodlands

The gist

Pledges to keep the lowest responsible county tax rate.
Supports controlling county debt and protecting strong reserves.
Supports voter approval of major courthouse or jail debt.
Supports requiring developments to address traffic and drainage impacts.
Supports backing law enforcement as growth continues.

More about Mark

View sources (1)

Pledges to keep the lowest responsible county tax rate.
Meet the candidates for Montgomery County Judge
Candidate questionnaire · Community Impact · communityimpact.com
“I will continue fighting for the lowest responsible tax rate while keeping law enforcement, roads and essential county services properly funded.”
Supports controlling county debt and protecting strong reserves.
Meet the candidates for Montgomery County Judge
Candidate questionnaire · Community Impact · communityimpact.com
“We must fund core responsibilities first, eliminate waste, control debt and protect strong reserves.”
Supports voter approval of major courthouse or jail debt.
Meet the candidates for Montgomery County Judge
Candidate questionnaire · Community Impact · communityimpact.com
“I will not support rushing taxpayers into an overpriced project; major debt should be clearly justified and decided by voters.”
Supports requiring developments to address traffic and drainage impacts.
Meet the candidates for Montgomery County Judge
Candidate questionnaire · Community Impact · communityimpact.com
“require development to address traffic and drainage impacts, coordinate with cities and regional partners”
Supports backing law enforcement as growth continues.
Meet the candidates for Montgomery County Judge
Candidate questionnaire · Community Impact · communityimpact.com
“We can manage growth without becoming like Harris County by backing law enforcement, protecting taxpayers and planning ahead.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 6 issues covered in this race.