Mark Keough
Republican Incumbent
Mark Keough
Republican Incumbent
Candidate for Montgomery County Judge
About
Montgomery County Judge (2019–present). Texas House of Representatives, District 15 (2015–2018). 26 years in the automotive industry. Two Master’s Degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary and Grace Theological Seminary.
Conservative Endorsements
Candidate Videos
Survey Responses
Notable Quotes
“The radical Left wants nothing more than to break into Montgomery County. We cannot let them cross the county line.”
“Every human being including the unborn has the right to life.”
“We don’t have a revenue problem; we have a spending problem.”
“Every American citizen possesses the right to keep and bear arms.”
“The hallmark of true conservative governance is transparency.”
Positions on Texas Eagle Forum Legislative Priorities
Border Security & Immigration
- PRESENTED A RESOLUTION that was passed unanimously by Commissioners Court declaring an invasion at the southern border, citing Article IV of the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution, expressing support for Operation Lone Star, and calling on Congress to compel federal border enforcement (2024).[1][2][3][4]
- CO-SPONSORED A BILL as a Texas House Representative requiring local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, authorizing officers to inquire about immigration status of people they detain, and creating penalties for jurisdictions that adopt sanctuary-style policies (Senate Bill 4, 2017).[1][2][3]
Secure Our Elections
- JOINED A UNANIMOUS VOTE in Commissioners Court rejecting a Hart InterCivic voting-machine software upgrade over hacking/tampering concerns brought by residents and lack of time to properly test the upgrade before the next election (2024).[1][2][3][4][5]
- JOINED A UNANIMOUS VOTE in Commissioners Court to pass a resolution ordering random precinct manual recounts under Texas Election Code §127.201 (2024).[1][2][3]
Education Issues
- AUTHORED A PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT as a Texas House Representative “protecting private schools and home schools from state and local regulation” (HJR 62, 2017).[1]
Protect Childhood Innocence
- VOTED IN COMMISSIONERS COURT to restrict under-18 checkout of sexually oriented, explicit library materials. Keough added the age-limit amendment and later split the cost with DA Brett Ligon and County Attorney B.D. Griffin to donate Brave Books titles (2023).[1][2][3]
- AUTHORED THE RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS POLICY that was passed by the Commissioners Court to move challenged books to 18+ circulation until a citizen-led committee reviews them (2024).[1][2][3]
- REPLACED THE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM DIRECTOR following public concerns about library materials and the need to move certain content to the adult section. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Gender Issues
- HAS NEVER PERFORMED same-sex marriages. [Confirmed in personal interview, 2026.]
Protect Life
National Security
- COMMISSIONERS COURT BUDGET expanded funding for sheriff and constable work against human trafficking and internet crimes against children. In 2026, the Pct. 3 Constable’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit, with the Sheriff’s Office, DPS, and the DA, announced 61 arrests, 79 charges, and 28 victims recovered in a months-long operation; some arrestees had ICE holds.[1][2][3][4][5]
- See Border Security & Immigration section above.
Other Constitutional Issues
- STOOD WITH BUSINESSES during COVID and quickly reopened the county after Governor Abbott’s early executive orders. Didn’t require mask mandates or try to force COVID vaccines. [1, 2, 3]
- WAS ONE OF A HANDFUL OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS in Texas to not mandate or incentivize taking the COVID vaccine. Co-authored a bill in the Texas House to ease the process for obtaining exemptions from school-required immunizations (House Bill 1124, 2017). [1, 2, 3, 4]
- CO-AUTHORED THE LICENSED OPEN CARRY LAW as a Texas House Representative, authorizing licensed Texans to carry a holstered handgun openly (House Bill 910, 2015).[1][2][3]
- STATED, “Religious and moral values absolutely have a role in county governance. As the County Judge, my Christian faith informs my ethical foundation and decision making, and shapes how I approach fiscal responsibility, public safety, and support for vulnerable people…The Constitution protects religious liberty for every American, and I am fully committed to supporting and defending every constitutional freedom of all citizens of Montgomery County.” [1]
Bonus Issue - Property Tax Relief
- STATED THAT HE “delivered historic property tax relief” by leading Commissioners Court to lower the county tax rate by roughly 20% since taking office, while adopting “no-new-revenue” rates in multiple years to offset rising appraisals. As a Texas House Representative, called for a 5% cap on annual appraisal growth for all real property.[1][2]
- FAVORS FINANCING large infrastructure expenditures without raising the tax rate and approaching projects as part of a broader transportation strategy rather than just lane expansions.[1][2]
Notes from Local Researchers
- LOWERED HIS OWN SALARY shortly after taking office as Montgomery County Judge in January 2019. Fiscal and social Conservative.[1][2][3][4][5]
- DEVELOPING A COUNTY-WIDE MASTER PLAN for facilities, infrastructure and capital improvement so that decisions can be made on a new courthouse, jail, and to address growth and aging infrastructure.[1]
- IDENTIFIES TRANSPORTATION as the primary challenge associated with Montgomery County's growth. Describes congestion, particularly around 1488, 242 and I-45, as a major problem. Wants to leverage "our relationship with TxDOT to bring additional state and federal dollars to Montgomery County to assist with our local growth and transportation needs."[1][2]
- FAVORS COUNTYWIDE STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING instead of four largely independent precinct-level transportation agendas, identifying future major thoroughfares and establishing a plan that prevents new communities from being built in the middle of future corridors.[1]
- BELIEVES MONTGOMERY COUNTY NEEDS both a new courthouse and jail. Favors voter-approved bonds rather than Certificates of Obligation, but wants the projects financed in a way that does not require an increase in the property-tax rate.[1][2][3]