Fort Bend County Judge KP George switches to Republican Party

RICHMOND, Texas - Fort Bend County Judge KP George is switching parties.

On Wednesday morning, George, who has won election to the office twice as a Democrat, announced that he is joining the Republican Party.

He confirmed that he would be seeking re-election in 2026.

Dig deeper:

There had been speculation for months that George could make the switch after he voted with Republicans to re-draw precinct lines. 

Big picture view:

On a Commissioners Court equally divided between Democrats and Republicans, George represents the swing vote.

Legal troubles for KP George

The backstory:

Controversy continues to follow the county judge, who is accused of participating in a hoax to drum up sympathy votes by attacking his own campaign with phony racist social media posts.

He's also been indicted for the more serious crime of political money laundering. He has denied wrongdoing.

KP George's tenure as county judge

KP George was first elected county judge in 2018, assuming the role on January, 1 2019. He won re-election in November 2022.

What's next:

Fort Bend County residents will elect the next county judge on Nov. 3, 2026. The primary election is March 3.

Responses

Local leaders responded to Judge KP George's announcement.

Daniel Wong, Republican Candidate for Fort Bend County Judge

"Let’s be clear: This has nothing to do with principles. It is about panic. He is not joining our party because he shares our values. He is running from his record. 
Switching allegiances does not erase years of mismanagement, deception and scandal.

The Republican Party stands for accountability, transparency and service. It is not a refuge for career politicians looking to escape the consequences of their actions. This is an insult to every voter who values public trust. You do not have the privilege of hiding behind the Republican brand. Not in Fort Bend. Not on my watch," he said.

"The voters deserve a true servant leader, not a political opportunist trying on a new label. As county judge, I will bring bold and honest leadership back to the courthouse. No scandals. No sideshows. Just results."

Trevor Nehls, former Republican candidate for Fort Bend County Judge

"'This isn’t about principles. It’s about panic.'

Democrat County Judge, KP George, has been indicted and stands accused of faking racist posts to interfere with an election. Now, with court dates piling up in multiple cases, he suddenly wants to reinvent himself as a Republican?

I was one of the people targeted in that smear campaign. I saw how low he was willing to go. This isn’t a shift in beliefs. It’s a calculated move to escape accountability.

The people of Fort Bend remember. They remember the lies, the fake accounts, and the abuse of public trust. A party label doesn’t erase any of that. This isn’t leadership. It’s theater. And Fort Bend voters are smarter than that."

Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy

"Our community is better than morally corrupt officials who will lie and compromise their integrity for their own personal gain. I will be clear and say in no uncertain terms: KP George is a threat to our county and must resign now!

Today’s announcement that KP George has abandoned the Democratic Party only confirms what many of us in Fort Bend County have known for months: that KP George has been in active discussions with the Republican Party—including Attorney General Ken Paxton and the Fort Bend Republican Party Chairman —seeking a deal to switch parties in exchange for political refuge and assistance with his legal troubles.

Let us be clear—this is not a matter of political ideology. It is a matter of integrity. He has chosen to prioritize his own personal self-interests over the will and well-being of the people who elected him. He has turned his back on the values he claimed to represent, and in so doing, has betrayed the trust of our community.

He should immediately resign.

In the time since his indictments, our county has lost out on major economic development opportunities, including the naming of our Fort Bend Epicenter, because unfortunately, our county has become known for his alleged criminal activity and not the diverse, vibrant place we know that it is.

Instead of stepping aside, he insists on dragging our county through legal drama, distractions, and self-inflicted crises. The people of Fort Bend County deserve leaders who are focused on public service, not personal survival. Fort Bend County deserves better."