Fort Bend County Redistricting Efforts Stall Amid Partisan Rift Over Legal Counsel

Commissioner Andy Meyers, a Republican, and County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson, a Democrat, clashed over authority in selecting the law firm. Meyers argued that the court should choose the counsel, proposing attorney Tony McDonald — known for his conservative affiliations. Smith-Lawson pushed back, asserting her office’s legal authority and objecting to McDonald’s partisanship.

Public comments echoed Smith-Lawson’s concerns, and the proposal was rejected with bipartisan opposition. Smith-Lawson’s alternative — hiring Brazil & Dunn, LLP — also failed to gain traction, as no commissioner brought it to a vote.

At issue are 37 voter precincts in Fort Bend that do not comply with state law, including precincts with as few as two registered voters and one with over 18,000. Texas law mandates each precinct contain 100 to 5,000 voters in counties with populations over 100,000.

Despite recent approval of $60,000 for redistricting efforts, disagreements over process and politics have stalled progress. County Judge KP George, a Democrat under indictment for money laundering and identity misrepresentation, previously sided with Republicans to support funding — drawing criticism and speculation about his political loyalties.

Meyers, who narrowly retained his seat in 2024, appears to have personal stakes in the process. After 2021 redistricting lines shifted his residence out of Precinct 3, he proposed a failed precinct change that would have preserved his eligibility.

The Fort Bend GOP applauded Meyers’ efforts, while criticizing Republican Commissioner Vincent Morales for opposing the McDonald proposal. Morales said he supports returning Precinct 3 to Republican control but criticized what he described as George’s political opportunism.

Democratic Commissioner Dexter McCoy argued that hiring outside legal help is unnecessary and costly. “This action affirms the Administrator’s constitutional role in ensuring fair and efficient elections,” McCoy stated. He added that the Elections Administrator can now proceed with rebalancing the precincts without further partisan wrangling.

With no legal counsel hired and the Elections Administrator expected to take the lead, Fort Bend County remains in limbo over how — and by whom — voter precincts will be redrawn.