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Keough wins razor-thin Montgomery Co. Judge GOP primary

CONROE, Texas – Mark Keough has secured the Republican primary nomination for Montgomery County Judge, narrowly defeating challenger Suzanne Luby by a razor-thin margin of just 153 votes. The incumbent’s hard-fought victory was officially certified on March 8, avoiding a runoff election and setting the stage for the November general election.

After all ballots from the hotly contested March 1, 2022 primary election were tallied and officially certified, Keough amassed 32,185 votes, accounting for 50.12% of the total. His opponent, Suzanne Luby, concluded the race just behind him with 32,032 votes, or 49.88%. This slender margin meant Keough just barely crossed the 50% plus one vote threshold required to clinch the nomination outright, a scenario many in Montgomery County were closely watching.

The outcome of the Republican primary in Montgomery County is often viewed as a strong indicator, if not the de facto decider, of the general election winner, given the county’s historically conservative voting patterns. The County Judge position is primarily an administrative role, presiding over the Commissioners Court, which oversees the county’s budget, infrastructure, and services. The intense competition reflected the high stakes in a rapidly growing county grappling with issues such as road infrastructure, flood control, and property taxes.

Following the certification, Keough expressed gratitude to his supporters and voters, acknowledging the tight race and signaling his focus on the upcoming general election. “I am deeply humbled by the trust placed in me by the voters of Montgomery County and look forward to continuing the important work we’ve started to manage our growth, improve infrastructure, and ensure our county remains a great place to live and work,” Keough stated. Luby, a prominent local businesswoman and community advocate, had campaigned on themes of greater fiscal responsibility, transparency, and a fresh approach to county leadership, garnering significant grassroots support.

Keough, who was first elected County Judge in 2018, previously served as a State Representative for District 15. During his first term as County Judge, his administration has focused on managing the county’s explosive growth, overseeing significant road projects, and addressing flood mitigation efforts. His tenure has seen debates surrounding county spending and management strategies, which were central themes in Luby’s robust campaign. Her strong showing demonstrates a significant segment of the electorate was seeking an alternative direction for county leadership.

With the primary now behind him, Keough will advance to face Democratic challenger Richard “Ram” Ramirez in the November 8 general election. Ramirez, a local activist and former Marine, is expected to campaign on issues related to community engagement, public services, and ensuring equitable growth across the diverse county. While Montgomery County traditionally leans heavily Republican, the general election will test voter engagement and priorities across the political spectrum.

Voters are encouraged to check their registration status and find polling locations via the Montgomery County Elections Administrator’s website at elections.mctx.org. Official election results from the March 1 primary are also available for public review on this site.

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