“As the incumbent, I have experience and leadership. Been there, done that,” says Fort Bend County’s Pct. 4 Commissioner Ken R. DeMerchant, who is seeking re-nomination in the Democratic Party primary, for a second term.
“I will be the first woman on Fort Bend County Commissioners Court and I want to bring the woman’s perspective to the court,” says Neeta Sane, a candidate challenging the incumbent in the Democratic Party primary.
“I am the youngest candidate in the race and I bring youth and unique experience,” says Dexter McCoy, who quit his job as chief of staff to the county judge and filed on the last day in a surprising move.
The fourth candidate in the race is Travis Lemos of Rosenberg. He did not respond to our questionnaire by the deadline.
Read the campaign pitch of the candidates in their own words.
Why should people vote for you?
As the incumbent County Commissioner, I have the experience, leadership, and proven service record to continue to serve in the capacity as Commissioner.
What distinguishes you from others in the race?
I am an Engineer and a problem solver. I listen to the problems in the community and look for innovative ways to address them.
What are your accomplishments in your first term?
Strengthened Flood Mitigation:
Led committee for first drainage bond since Hurricane Harvey (Nov 2019) Approved 5 repair and mitigation projects including Oyster Creek, Flat Bank Creek, Ditch H to keep our neighborhoods dry Created PicNFix program to identify flood prone areas and fix drainage issues Led Project Brazos to address erosion issues
Implemented Tax Savings:
Reduced County tax rate each year
Worked with Levee Improvement Districts to reduce tax rates
Expanded Voting Opportunities:
Added 4 additional voting centers
Extended early voting hours
Advocated Fair Pay and Benefits:
Led updates to County EEO policy for inclusion Led effort to create position to handle Title 6 and prevailing wages
List any endorsements from individuals and organizations.
Texas Association of Realtors
Fort Bend County Tejano Democrats
Yolanda Ford, Former Mayor Missouri City.
KP George, Fort Bend County Judge
Dexter McCoy
Why should people vote for you?
I hope to earn my neighbor’s votes because my experiences have driven my passion for service. I will fight relentlessly to make sure that we are investing in this community and its people, and maximizing the potential of Fort Bend County.
Precinct 4 is my home, it has been for over twenty years. Having been raised by my grandparents in a small rural town until I was 9, I know what it’s like to live without access to the basic community infrastructure and services necessary to thrive. That experience drives my commitment to ensure Precinct 4 residents have the foundation in place to prosper.
What distinguishes you from others in the race?
My youth and my unique experience distinguishes me from any other candidate in any county race. I am the youngest candidate in the race. With the median age of our population sitting at 36 years old, I bring fresh, new ideas and an outlook on our community as someone who will be impacted for many decades to come.
Despite my age, I have the broadest and most consequential experience of any candidate in the race. I have worked with teachers, students and faculty in this community, I have aided the county judge in bringing substantial change to this community, and I have served in the Obama Administration, moving the needle on issues that matter to communities.
My energy and innovative ideas are needed at this moment to make county government more accessible and accountable to the hardworking taxpayers it serves.
What shortcomings do you find in the incumbent or what made you to run against the incumbent?
I am running against the incumbent because I know that we can and must do better. When I started my job as chief of staff to the County Judge, I was appalled to learn that the incumbent’s office had been closed for nearly two years during the pandemic, including during the first few months of my tenure in the Judge’s office. While other county employees were expected to report to work and provide services, the Commissioner’s office was closed. Residents and taxpayers who needed support from their commissioner, likely didn’t get that support; that is unacceptable. And this is but one example of many of the incumbent failing to show up and do his job.
I will do more than just show up every day for Fort Bend. I will bring bold, innovative ideas to help fuel our future, alleviate undue burden on our taxpayers, and provide the services they deserve from their tax dollars.
List any endorsements from individuals and organizations.
1. Fort Bend Tejano Democrats
2 .Our Revolution Brazoria Fort Bend
3. Fort Bend Young Democrats
4. Texas College Democrats
5. The Collective PAC
Neeta Sane
Why should people vote for you??
I am asking for your vote and support based on my accomplishments and plans for Fort Bend residents as follows:
• I have proven community-focused leadership for over a decade delivering what the people of Fort Bend need.
• I served as a dynamic HCC Trustee for Fort Bend for 12 years. I was instrumental in bringing transformative programs, state-of the-art facilities, and services to Fort Bend. I have extensive experience in leading one of the largest public entities in the nation with an annual budget of over $350 million with more than 20 public facilities including public safety, buildings and maintenance, recreation, amenities, and programs for entrepreneurship, health sciences, workforce training.
• As your Commissioner, my goal will be to create ‘Smart & Sustainable’ Infrastructure in Fort Bend County to protect life and properties with efficient budgetary allocations.
• For effective flood prevention, I will focus on completing all the flood mitigation projects and implementing on-going monitoring & cleaning of drainage systems for clog-free water flow to ensure safety of all residents.
• For efficient Mobility & Traffic flow, I will focus on long-term strategic planning to alleviate traffic congestion with improved road & bridge construction for efficient traffic flow, safer intersections & sidewalks, and expansion of commuter Park and Ride.
• For Trauma Healthcare, I will support providing advanced level of healthcare services to reduce risks, time & costs for Trauma Patients.
• For Economic growth, I will focus on accelerating small business and job growth with workforce and career training for all.
• Leadership: I will bring first-time ever woman’s leadership on the Commissioners Court. Fort Bend County has not had a woman commissioner since its inception in 1837.
What distinguishes you from others in the race?
My community-focused leadership with proven results for the success of Fort Bend community distinguishes me from others in this race as follows:
•Fort Bend resident for 24 years.
•A Resolute Woman who has served all demographics.
•Over 15 years of experience serving in leadership roles in various organizations.
•Educational background: M.S. – Univ of Houston, M.B.A. (Finance & Accounting) – Florida Tech, Sustainable Business Strategy Certificate – Harvard Business School, Certified Life Coach
•Elected HCC Trustee for 12 years with community-focused and transformative leadership: My HCC Board Leadership roles included serving as Board Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Chair for Strategic Planning Committee, External Relations Committee, Annexation Committee, Diversity & Inclusion Committee with the following accomplishments:
•Built Career & Workforce Training Center (Alief); •Built Entrepreneurship, Health Sciences, Technology Center (Missouri City); •Built Advanced Manufacturing Center (Stafford) •Built Fine Arts Center (Stafford)
•Established HCC’s 55 and older discount program for Seniors
•Established Programs for Youth & Women Empowerment, Diversity & Inclusion
•Established Endowment Scholarship Program
•Hosted Community & Industry Partnership summits for Workforce Development
•Assisted hundreds of families and businesses by working relentlessly for Fort Bend Childcare Assistance, Fort Bend Emergency Rental Assistance, Fort Bend Entrepreneur Series Program during the pandemic.
•Fought Hard for Fair Opportunities for Small Businesses, Jobseekers, and Underserved Communities.
•Empowered Women & Youth to excel by giving Hope and a Helping Hand with Coaching & Financial support.
•Collaborated with ALL with Multi-Cultural, Racial, and Religious Inclusiveness in Fort Bend County
•Honored to be a resident of Fort Bend County for the past 24 years.
•Served Fort Bend as an active Democrat since 2005.
My bio including education, profession, community involvement, accomplishments, honors & awards is on NeetaSane.com
What shortcomings do you find in the incumbent or what made you to run against the incumbent?
I am running for Commissioner Precinct 4 to bring first-time ever woman’s leadership to the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court, and to provide the necessary leadership to institute ‘Smart and Sustainable infrastructure’ that will ensure quality life and livelihood for all the demographics of Fort Bend County.
There has never been a Woman Commissioner in Fort Bend County since the county was formed in 1837. It is high time that women are represented on the Fort Bend County Commissioners court.
List any endorsements from individuals and organizations.
Fort Bend Voter News
Annie’s List
Run Sister Run
The Young & The Politics
Fort Bend United
Fort Bend Hispanic Council.
Travis Lemos, Democratic Candidate for Commissioner Precinct 4, Fort Bend County, says in his website>
Married to Linda for 22 years
Blessed with a Kidney Transplant 2 years ago
Founder of a Foundation providing scholarship opportunities for further education to students
Volunteer in his community for many years and recognized by the City of Houston
Served on Board of Directors for several organizations
Leader in small business networking and consulting
Family and Community Oriented
Ready to serve and bring resources needed to his community