Today, Fort Bend County Judge KP George wrote to Texas House leaders, seeking to ensure that a congressional district, in its entirety, is located within the already existing borders of Fort Bend County.

Under the current lines adopted by the Texas State Senate, Fort Bend County’s diverse community gets divided into three separate congressional districts which would seriously divide the county and communities. (see letter)

October 11, 2021

Texas House of Representatives

P.O. Box 2910

Austin, Texas 78768-2910

To the Members of the Texas State House of Representatives

When Stephen F. Austin brought 300 families to settle on the Banks of the Brazos River, which runs right through the center of Fort Bend County, they made their homes on both sides of that historic and ever-changing river. While the river changed over time, our communities also changed, now becoming the most diverse county in the State of Texas and one of the fastest-growing in the United States at the cusp of almost 900,000 residents.

Our residents deserve to choose their politicians, not the other way around. I ask you today to make good on that principle by ensuring that a congressional district, in its entirety, is located within the already existing borders of Fort Bend County.

Under the current lines adopted by the Texas State Senate, Fort Bend County’s diverse community gets divided into three separate congressional districts which would seriously divide our county and communities of interest. As is proposed, the splitting of Fort Bend County into three different congressional districts dilutes our majority share within our congressional district and forces our community to fight for representation with communities that naturally have their unique interests and values that differ from ours.

Considering the ideal population of a congressional district is 766,987 people, Fort Bend County’s population growth over the last 10 years more than warrants Fort Bend County staying wholly contained within one congressional district, at least, and maintaining our majority share of the district. Fort Bend County currently has a population of about 822,779 people, with unofficial numbers putting us north of 850,000 residents. Our community is a diverse mix of urban, suburban, and rural.

Political boundaries have tremendous consequences on the livelihood and trajectory of a community. At this momentous time in the history of Fort Bend County, it is imperative that our residents are not disenfranchised by diluting our diverse community’s votes with that of other much more rural communities around us. As the leader of the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court, I humbly ask the members of this body politic to consider ensuring Fort Bend County receives one congressional district wholly located within our County.

Sincerely,

KP George

County Judge

Fort Bend County