On Monday, April 13, 2026, KPRC Click2Houston reported that Daniel Wong was sworn in as interim Fort Bend County judge following the suspension of KP George.
George’s removal from office resulted from a recent felony conviction. According to Texas law, an elected official is unable to perform their duties upon suspension, leading to the appointment of a visiting judge to ensure the office’s continued function. Judge Jeth Jones was appointed to oversee the situation and selected Wong to temporarily fill the role.
Wong, who is also the Republican nominee for Fort Bend County judge, had previously defeated George in the primary and is already on the ballot for November. He will serve in the position temporarily until voters make a final decision later this year. According to political analyst Mark Jones, this type of assignment is standard practice in cases with a potential conflict of interest, often involving a higher court appointment.
There will be no special election to fill the role immediately, as the race is already underway. Dexter McCoy and Rachelle Carter are the Democratic candidates facing off in a May runoff to determine who will challenge Wong in November.
The appointment process has raised concerns, including those of McCoy, who noted Wong’s lack of county experience despite being the GOP nominee. Carter stated that the situation deserves closer review to ensure fairness, emphasizing her focus on voters and key issues facing the county.
George was convicted of money laundering on March 20. He was suspended following a civil lawsuit alleging he violated a resident’s First Amendment rights. George had been set to serve until 2027 after losing in the March primary and has declined to comment on the suspension and appointment. He is scheduled to return to court on May 5, facing additional allegations tied to an alleged social media hoax.
Source: KPRC Click2Houston
