FORT BEND COUNTY, TX — A Fort Bend County District Court judge is scheduled to issue an order in a civil case that originally appointed Daniel Wong as interim county judge. Judge Jeth Jones did not issue a decision following the hearing on Thursday.

After KP George was suspended, Galveston County Judge Jeth Jones appointed Daniel Wong to temporarily perform the duties of county judge. The Fort Bend County Commissioners Court unanimously accepted Daniel Wong's oath of office following his April 10, 2026 appointment, with votes from Republicans Grady Prestage and Dexter McCoy as well as other Republican commissioners. The underlying lawsuit against KP George was later dismissed.

Some county officials and residents argue that Daniel Wong’s appointment is void following the dismissal of the underlying lawsuit. Fort Bend County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson issued a June 24, 2026 memorandum stating Daniel Wong's temporary appointment as county judge ended upon dismissal of the underlying civil lawsuit. The memorandum directed county officials to revoke his administrative access and advised commissioners to conduct business without him.

The attorney representing the resident who filed the case argued that Wong’s appointment is invalid because the court lacked jurisdiction over the underlying lawsuit from the beginning. Fort Bend County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson argues that Wong’s temporary appointment expired on June 17. Wong’s attorneys maintain that the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court approved his appointment through the end of the year. Wong’s attorneys stated that Wong has the authority to preside over Commissioners Court meetings and that residents should not be concerned about county business having to be redone.

Democratic commissioners have stopped attending Commissioners Court meetings during the dispute. The legal dispute has caused a standstill in Fort Bend County business, with quorum issues arising during Commissioners Court meetings due to absent Democratic commissioners. Commissioner Dexter McCoy accused Wong and the court’s Republican commissioners of preventing Democrats from participating by insisting they attend meetings he believes are not legally authorized.

"Mr. Wong and our Republican colleagues are blocking our ability to participate in Commissioners Court by insisting we break the law," McCoy said. "The county attorney has provided clear legal guidance that Mr. Wong does not have authority to perform the duties of county judge." McCoy stated that routine county responsibilities such as paving roads and paying bills should not become partisan issues. "All county business could proceed without his participation, while he awaits a new court order affirming his temporary appointment, as there are four lawfully elected and authorized commissioners who can conduct the people’s business," he said. Residents expressed frustration over the dispute during a Commissioners Court meeting.

Political experts indicated that the Texas Supreme Court may ultimately have to determine whether Wong’s appointment is valid. Experts stated that if the court finds Wong lacked the legal authority to serve, actions taken during Commissioners Court meetings under his leadership could potentially be declared void.