Accomplishments
A Proven Record of Results for Montgomery County
Since taking office, Judge Mark Keough has delivered on his “Contract with Montgomery County,” prioritizing taxpayers, public safety, and efficient infrastructure. His leadership is defined by keeping promises and standing firm on constitutional conservative principles.
Fiscal Responsibility & Taxpayer Relief
- Delivered Historic Tax Relief: Consistently fought to adopt the “no-new-revenue” tax rate for multiple consecutive years, effectively lowering the county tax rate to offset rising property appraisals.
- Cut Personal Salary: Upon taking office in 2019, Judge Keough immediately fulfilled a campaign promise by reducing his own salary by 12%, signaling a commitment to servant leadership. The ONLY public official to reject salary increases every year since.
- Debt Reduction: Successfully reduced county debt while maintaining a balanced budget, ensuring long-term financial health without compromising essential services.
Infrastructure & Mobility Wins
- Fought to Remove Tolls on SH 242: Led the vote to remove tolls from the SH 242 flyovers, fulfilling a key campaign promise to end double-taxation on local commuters, more especially when the roadway is fully paid for!
- Strategic Road Improvements: Overseeing a comprehensive $480 million road bond to address congestion and keep pace with the county’s rapid growth.
- Mental Health Infrastructure: Secured $50 million in state funding to expand the Montgomery County Mental Health Treatment Facility. This expansion adds 100 beds and increases capacity to treat justice-involved individuals, reducing the burden on the county jail system.
Public Safety & Law Enforcement
- Law Enforcement Pay Parity: Championed and approved a $9 million pay parity plan to increase officer salaries, ensuring Montgomery County remains competitive with Houston and Harris County to recruit and retain the best officers.
- Resource Expansion: Funded 11 new constable deputies and authorized 23 new full-time law enforcement positions to maintain safety as the population grows.
- Safe Communities: Maintained a “culture of deterrence” policy, ensuring law enforcement has the resources needed to keep crime rates low and criminals off the streets.
- Consistent Support for Law Enforcement: With every Montgomery County budget, Judge Keough continually advocates for additional funding resources for law enforcement ensuring that public safety is a top priority for Montgomery County.
Crisis Leadership & Disaster Response
- COVID-19 Leadership: Stood against federal and state overreach by opposing extended business lockdowns and ending mask mandates early, prioritizing personal liberty and the local economy.
- Disaster Management: Effectively guided the county through multiple declared natural disasters, major flooding events, and wildfires, coordinating rapid debris removal and emergency aid for affected residents.
- Medical Freedom: Established monoclonal antibody infusion centers during the pandemic to provide early treatment options for residents, focusing on saving lives without mandating closures.
Legislative Background
- Texas House Experience: Before serving as County Judge, Mark represented District 15 in the Texas House of Representatives, where he:
- Led the charge to advance the priorities of the residents of Montgomery County.
- Authored legislation to repeal margins taxes on small businesses.
- Strengthened penalties for online predators to protect children.
- Passed bills to reduce recidivism through victim-offender mediation programs.
Re-Elect County Judge Mark Keough
