Fort Bend Redistricting Committee Advances Maps to Commissioners Court

Fort Bend Redistricting Committee Advances Maps to Commissioners Court

RICHMOND, Texas — The Fort Bend County Citizens Advisory Redistricting Committee held its final meeting Monday night, voting to advance several maps for consideration by Commissioners Court on Oct. 9.

 

Two maps received majority support, with all Republican members backing them. Three additional maps tied for third place, including two supported by Democrats and one by Republicans. All maps reviewed during the process will be presented to the court.

 

The process was contentious. Democrats delayed appointing their nominees for two months, and County Attorney Bridget Lawson drew criticism for actively working against the committee.

 

Committee Chairman Jacob Lee raised alarms after a public information request from the Democratic Party treasurer resulted in his files and documentation being handed over to Lawson’s office. Lee later discovered those files had been forwarded to personal Gmail accounts of staff in Lawson’s office. He has filed complaints with Commissioners Court, the Texas attorney general and the State Bar of Texas.

 

The majority-backed maps seek to restore political balance in Fort Bend, potentially creating a 2-2 split on the Commissioners Court. The proposed majority maps, based on the voting history of Fort Bend County, would guarantee two Republican seats on Commissioners Court even in a blue wave. One proposal, the Mike Gibson Map Amended by Jacob Lee 1, keeps all current elected officials in their precincts with one exception: Justice of the Peace Place 2 would move from Needville to the former Precinct 3 court on Dairy Ashford.

 

Critics say the current map, adopted after the 2020 census, was gerrymandered along racial lines. It created a coalition district in Precinct 4. County Judge KP George has alleged that Commissioner Dexter McCoy, then serving as his chief of staff, was involved in drawing that map. McCoy later ran for and won the redrawn Precinct 4 seat.

 

Supporters of the new majority maps argue they strengthen both parties within their respective precincts while maintaining continuity for elected officials and voters.



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