A Texas Southern University survey of likely Fort Bend County voters shows Democratic candidate Dexter McCoy leading Republican candidate Daniel Wong in the November 2026 election for Fort Bend County judge.

According to the survey conducted by the Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center at Texas Southern University, 49% of likely voters intend to vote for McCoy, compared with 40% for Wong. Eleven percent remain unsure.

The survey included 1,200 registered Fort Bend County voters who are likely to cast a ballot in the November 2026 general election. According to the report, the survey was conducted in English and Spanish from Sept. 29 through Oct. 2, 2026. Respondents were contacted by SMS and directed to an online survey platform. The margin of error is plus or minus 2.83%.

The report identifies Wong as the interim Fort Bend County judge and McCoy as the Precinct 4 county commissioner. Wong is a Republican and McCoy is a Democrat.

While McCoy leads Wong in vote intention, the survey found that many likely voters do not know enough about either candidate to have an opinion.

According to the report, 31% of likely voters have a favorable opinion of McCoy, while 17% have an unfavorable opinion. Fifty-two percent said they did not know enough about McCoy to have an opinion.

Wong received a favorable opinion from 26% of likely voters, while 28% viewed him unfavorably. Forty-six percent said they did not know enough about Wong to have an opinion.

The survey found differences in vote intention among demographic groups.

Among Black likely voters, 86% said they intend to vote for McCoy, compared with 7% for Wong. Among White voters, Wong led McCoy 55% to 34%.

The candidates were closely matched among Latino voters, with Wong receiving 44% and McCoy 42%. Among Asian American voters, Wong received 42% compared with 40% for McCoy.

McCoy led among women, 57% to 31%, while Wong led among men, 50% to 39%.

Age also showed differences in vote intention. McCoy led Wong 66% to 20% among voters ages 18 to 34 and 52% to 35% among voters ages 35 to 54. Among voters age 55 and older, Wong led McCoy 46% to 44%, with 10% unsure.

The survey also found a difference based on education. McCoy received 53% support among likely voters with a four-year college degree, compared with 37% for Wong. Among voters without a four-year college degree, the candidates were tied at 44% each.

Partisanship was another significant factor in the race. According to the survey, 92% of Democratic likely voters intended to vote for McCoy, while 86% of Republican likely voters intended to vote for Wong.

Among independent likely voters, McCoy led Wong 42% to 21%, while 37% remained unsure.

Confidence in Elections

The survey also examined voter confidence in elections at the county, state and national levels.

According to the report, 80% of Fort Bend County likely voters are confident that the November 2026 elections in Fort Bend County will be conducted fairly and accurately. Eighteen percent are not confident, while 2% are unsure.

The survey found similar levels of confidence among Democrats and Republicans. Eighty-one percent of Democrats and 79% of Republicans said they were confident the county elections would be conducted fairly and accurately. Among independent voters, 87% expressed confidence.

Confidence was lower when voters were asked about elections across Texas. Sixty-five percent said they were confident the November elections in Texas would be conducted fairly and accurately, while 33% were not confident and 2% were unsure.

At the national level, 45% said they were confident that the November elections in the United States would be conducted fairly and accurately. Fifty-three percent were not confident and 2% were unsure.

The survey also measured confidence in Fort Bend County election officials' ability to carry out four election-related responsibilities. Eighty-one percent of likely voters were confident officials would count votes accurately. Eighty percent were confident voting machines and election systems would be kept secure, while 79% were confident all eligible voters would be able to cast a ballot.

Seventy-six percent were confident election officials would prevent people who are not eligible to vote from voting.

Statewide Races

The survey also asked Fort Bend County likely voters about three statewide races.

In the November 2026 Texas U.S. Senate election, Democrat James Talarico led Republican Ken Paxton among Fort Bend County likely voters, 56% to 38%. Libertarian Ted Brown received 2%, while 4% were undecided.

In the Texas gubernatorial election, Democrat Gina Hinojosa led Republican incumbent Greg Abbott 53% to 42%. Libertarian Pat Dixon received 2%, while 3% were undecided.

In the Texas Railroad Commissioner election, Democrat Jon Rosenthal led Republican Bo French 50% to 35%. Libertarian Arthur DiBianca received 3%, while 12% were undecided.

Opinions of County Officials

The report also examined opinions of four Fort Bend County countywide elected officials: suspended County Judge KP George, District Attorney Brian Middleton, Sheriff Eric Fagan and County Attorney Bridgette Smith-Lawson.

According to the survey, 64% of likely voters did not know enough about Middleton to have an opinion. Sixty-one percent did not know enough about Fagan, while 73% did not know enough about Smith-Lawson.

Middleton was viewed favorably by 24% of likely voters and unfavorably by 12%. Fagan was viewed favorably by 24% and unfavorably by 15%. Smith-Lawson was viewed favorably by 18% and unfavorably by 9%.

George was better known among respondents. Seventy percent viewed him unfavorably, 5% viewed him favorably and 25% said they did not know enough about him to have an opinion.

The survey also measured opinions of Fort Bend County commissioners among likely voters in their respective precincts.

Grady Prestage had a favorable opinion among 35% of likely voters in Precinct 2, compared with 12% unfavorable. McCoy had a favorable opinion among 33% of Precinct 4 likely voters, compared with 24% unfavorable.

Vincent Morales was viewed favorably by 19% and unfavorably by 12% of Precinct 1 likely voters. In Precinct 3, Andy Meyers was viewed favorably by 22% and unfavorably by 18%.

The survey included 53% women, 46% men and 1% who identified their gender identity as something else. The partisan composition was 45% Democratic, 42% Republican and 9% independent, with 3% identifying with another party and 1% unsure.

The report was prepared by the Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center at Texas Southern University's Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs. Dr. Michael O. Adams is identified as the center's founding director.

Read full survery here.