May 2026

Local Votes Matter!

Your vote matters, and it often makes a bigger difference in local elections. The recent Montgomery County elections prove that even a small number of votes can change the outcome. City council, mayor, school board, and judge races are frequently decided by just a few hundred votes or less.

Voters in Conroe elected new faces to the City Council: Kristin Hoisington, Ken Blevins, and John Sellars now serve in Places 3, 4, and 5. These council races took place during ongoing public debates about downtown development, street closures, public comment rules, and infrastructure planning. Conroe is growing fast, creating new business opportunities but also putting pressure on roads, utilities, permits, and city services. The new council members will help decide how the city manages this growth and what types of development will move forward.

The Conroe Municipal Judge race showed how much every vote matters. Since no candidate received a majority, there will be a runoff between Tanya Maddux and Jay Gross. Maddux came very close to a win, with 49.3% of the vote.

The City of Montgomery saw some very close races. In the mayor’s race, Sara Countryman led with just under 40% of the vote, while Mark Gess and Art Aguilar followed with 29.5% and 27.8%.

In Montgomery ISD’s only contested trustee race for Position 3, Matt Mitchell won with 78.69% of the votes. As Montgomery County grows, school board members will need to keep schools strong while also considering bonds, facilities, and taxpayer costs.

One of the major races was the special election for Texas Senate District 4. Former Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon defeated Democrat Ron Angeletti with about 75% of the vote.

This seat became available when former Senator Brandon Creighton resigned to become Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System. For Montgomery County businesses, state representation can directly impact regulations and future economic growth.

These elections are about more than politics. They help shape our communities, businesses, schools, and local economy. Increasingly, they decide how Montgomery County manages growth while keeping the quality of life that attracts families and businesses.

5. County Courthouse Updates:

Montgomery County officials are moving ahead with plans for a new courthouse. The Commissioners Court approved starting the search for an architect to design the project, as well as the location for the project, which is on the county-owned site next to the Sadler Building in downtown Conroe. Officials said the costs for architecture and planning will come from the existing Court Facility Fund, so there will be no new tax increase. Seven architectural firms have applied, and the Commissioners Court expects to select the final architect in about two weeks.

Tariff Refunds

The U.S. Supreme Court recently struck down some tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), giving small businesses a chance to claim refunds. Starting April 20, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol began the first phase of the refund process through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system. The process has several steps, so check the U.S. Chamber's Guide on Tariff Refunds for instructions.

If you need help with the refund process, make sure to work only with established, licensed customs brokers. Because the process is new, there is a lot of confusion, and scammers are already trying to take advantage of people.

Why This Newsletter Matters

Montgomery County is growing, but it remains one of the best places in Texas to live, work, and play. Our strong communities, local businesses, and expanding schools all rely on people who stay involved. Local elections affect the roads we use, the schools our kids attend, the businesses in our neighborhoods, and our daily quality of life. 

Your voice counts, and it really does make a difference. As the next elections get closer, make a plan to vote, stay informed, and help shape Montgomery County’s future for years to come.