Will Daniel Wong try to preside over Thursday’s Fort Bend County Commissioners Court meeting even though the county attorney and two commissioners say he has no legal standing to do so?
Looks like it.
Wong’s appointment as interim Fort Bend County judge was controversial from the start. He’s the Republican nominee for the judge’s post and appears on the November ballot alongside Democratic nominee Dexter McCoy, a sitting elected commissioner. Many suggested that Wong’s appointment, made by Republican District Judge Jeth Jones, was an effort to give the GOP an advantage at the polls this fall.
However, when Jones made the appointment, it had an expiration date to coincide with the adjudication of a civil case involving former County Judge KP George. That matter was “non-suited” on June 17, the day after George was sentenced to jail time in a felony money laundering case. George is appealing the felony conviction but remains suspended from returning to the judgeship.
County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson issued an opinion Wednesday stating that “the temporary appointment of former Interim Fort Bend County Judge Daniel Wong has concluded.”
“Mr. Wong was appointed as Interim County Judge on April 10, 2026, and has served Fort Bend County pursuant to that appointment. On June 17, 2026, the District Judge signed an Order of Nonsuit, disposing of all matters in controversy. This order officially concluded the litigation and dissolved the temporary appointment. Consequently, Mr. Wong no longer possesses the legal authority to act as County Judge,” the statement reads.
Smith-Lawson further opined that “there are only four lawfully seated members of the Commissioners Court — the elected precinct commissioners. Because these four members constitute a legal quorum, the Court can and should proceed with county business without a presiding County Judge. Mr. Wong cannot legally participate in Commissioners Court meetings or hold himself out as the current judge unless he secures and presents a new, active court order. To date, no such order has been delivered to the County.”
“The guidance from this office is based entirely on Texas law, free from partisan politics. It would be irresponsible for the County to ignore the existence of the non-suit which could expose the County to unnecessary risk.”
Wong, who has not responded to requests for comment made to his office this week, didn’t appear to put much stock in Smith-Lawson’s opinion, even though she was elected by Fort Bend County residents and he was not. He posted a photo on his campaign’s Facebook account that reads, “The County Judge is The County Judge.”
“County Judge Daniel Wong continues to be the County Judge for Fort Bend County,” Wong said in the post. “His appointment remains in effect, and County Judge Wong will continue to serve the people and execute the duties of the office. Contrary to those who are trying to sow chaos and division, Judge Wong remains committed to doing what is best for Fort Bend County.”
During George’s legal battles, commissioners appointed the court’s longest-serving member Grady Prestage to be presiding officer in March, but then got blindsided by the sudden Wong appointment the following month. McCoy said Tuesday he expected the court would convert to having Prestage as a presiding officer because they can’t legally do business with Wong at the helm.
In a statement issued Wednesday, McCoy urged Wong to “follow the law and immediately vacate” his position.
“Mr. Wong will be on the ballot in front of voters in a few months. His attempts to stay in office at all costs are a clear indication that he knows what their verdict will be,” McCoy said. “The rule of law is a cornerstone of American democracy, and the law is crystal clear in this case. Now that the litigation that initiated Mr. Wong’s appointment has been dismissed, his temporary appointment has ended. Instead of leadership that is open and accountable, we have had one judge who broke the law while in office and it would appear that Mr. Wong now seeks to break the law to stay in office. Fort Bend County residents deserve much better.”
Prestage also issued a statement reiterating Smith-Lawson’s advice and suggesting he was prepared to resume duties as presiding officer.
“The people of Fort Bend County should be assured that the county will continue its regular order of business and continue to deliver the quality services they have come to expect,” Prestage said. “I would like to thank Mr. Wong for his brief service to the county and wish him the best of luck.”
Prestage and McCoy are Democrats; Commissioners Andy Meyers and Vincent Morales are Republicans. If a tie vote occurs while doing business with four members, the motion fails.
