Republican Ken Mathews and Democrat April L. Jones will face off Nov. 3 for the open Fort Bend County Precinct 4 commissioner seat. The precinct covers parts of Missouri City.

The seat opened after Commissioner Dexter McCoy entered the race for county judge. Monday, Oct. 5, is the last day to register to vote in the general election, according to Houston Public Media.

Ken Mathews

Stafford Mayor Ken Mathews holds a political science degree with a focus on legal studies and has worked as a paralegal. In a Community Impact candidate Q&A published Tuesday, Sept. 29, he said managing the county's rapid growth while maintaining infrastructure and services is the most pressing issue facing Fort Bend County.

"My top priority is ensuring Fort Bend County grows responsibly while protecting our quality of life," Mathews said in the Q&A. "I will focus on infrastructure, mobility, public safety, roads, responsible development and protecting taxpayer dollars."

He also pledged to hold community meetings and seek public input on decisions before they are finalized.

April L. Jones

Jones, 63, is a small business owner who has lived in Fort Bend County for 30 years. She has served on homeowner associations and worked on municipal utility district boards, the Houston Chronicle reported in its endorsement of her during the Democratic runoff.

The Chronicle described her platform as "back to basics," centered on transparency, safety and responsible spending. Jones has been active in the local Democratic Party for two decades. Her responses to the same Community Impact Q&A were not available at publication.

Primary path

Both candidates survived competitive primaries in March. Mathews led a four-candidate Republican field with 43.11% of the vote before winning a runoff against Adam Schoof, according to Covering Katy. Jones edged into the Democratic runoff by just five votes out of more than 13,000 cast in a crowded Democratic field.

The race follows Fort Bend County's redistricting ahead of the 2026 election cycle. Community Impact reported that the new map strengthened the projected Democratic vote in Precincts 2 and 4.

Voters can find polling locations and registration information at the Fort Bend County Elections website. Early voting runs Oct. 19–30.