County Commissioner, Precinct 4 - Texas Ballot Compare

Ken Mathews

Republican

On ballot as: KEN MATHEWS
Current role: Business owner; elected director, Fort Bend MUD 50 (per candidate)
Background: Bachelor's degree, Louisiana State University (per Ballotpedia)
Graduate degree, Troy University (per Ballotpedia)
U.S. Air Force veteran (per Ballotpedia)
Enlisted in the military reserves after high school (per campaign)
Local, state and federal law enforcement work before moving to the private sector (per campaign)
Founder, three Texas businesses in information technology, video surveillance and security services (per campaign)
Experience: Elected director and vice president, Fort Bend MUD 50, for many years (per candidate)
Top priorities: "Stop Wasteful Spending, implement pro active growth and maintenance planning"
"Public safety for all communities shouldn't be a luxury available only to wealthy neighborhoods"
"Smart usage of business incentives has to be coupled with guarantees on the return to the county"
Says many older areas of the precinct "have been neglected by the county in the way of roads, parks and development upkeep"
Tidbits: Property taxes and budget: In a League of Women Voters questionnaire: "I'm tired of sitting back watching the county budget grow, spending go unchecked and watching us dig a deficit hole."
Growth and infrastructure: In a League of Women Voters questionnaire: "Growth is good; however, it must be properly planned such that it does not put a burden on existing infrastructure."
Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
Public safety: In a Ballotpedia candidate survey: "Public safety for all communities shouldn't be a luxury available only to wealthy neighborhoods."
Claims and the record
Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
Endorsements: Fort Bend Business Coalition
The Menudo Club (listed by campaign)
Fort Bend Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers (listed by campaign)
Former State Representative Jacey Jetton (listed by campaign)
Former Mayor Allen Owen (listed by campaign)
Show all 12
Councilman Rob Boettcher (listed by campaign)
Councilman Ethan Kasmir (listed by campaign)
Ramesh Cherivirala (listed by campaign)
Abolaji Ayobami (listed by campaign)
Fort Bend County Clerk Laura Richard (listed by campaign)
JJ Clemence (listed by campaign)
Former Fort Bend ISD trustee Rick Garcia (listed by campaign)
Campaign website: ken4fortbend.com

April L. Jones

Democratic

On ballot as: APRIL L. JONES
Current role: Small business owner; elected director, North Mission Glen Municipal Utility District (MUD) board (per campaign)
Background: B.A. in political science, University of St. Thomas (2001)
Associate degree, Houston Community College (1999)
Has worked as a paralegal (per candidate)
Born and raised in Akron, Ohio (per candidate)
Moved to Houston in 1981 (per candidate)
30 years in Mission Glen (per campaign)
Experience: Former Democratic precinct chair (per campaign)
Has served as president of the Mission Glen Homeowners Association (per candidate)
Top priorities: "I will vote to fully fund county law enforcement, including the Sheriff's Office and Precinct 4 Constable deputies"
Campaign site: "Addressing congestion, improving road conditions, and developing smart infrastructure solutions"
Campaign site: "Promoting job growth and economic opportunity by supporting small businesses"
Campaign site: "Supporting air pollution monitoring in Fort Bend County"
Names "rising property tax burdens paired with housing affordability" as an issue for the precinct
Tidbits: Property taxes and budget: In a League of Women Voters questionnaire, names "rising property tax burdens paired with housing affordability" as an issue affecting Precinct 4 residents.
Growth and infrastructure: In a League of Women Voters questionnaire: "Addressing these infrastructure challenges requires proactive county leadership, disciplined capital planning, and strong inter-agency collaboration."
Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
Public safety: In a League of Women Voters questionnaire: "I will vote to fully fund county law enforcement, including the Sheriff's Office and Precinct 4 Constable deputies."
Claims and the record
Controversies: None found in the news coverage we reviewed
Endorsements: Annie's List (listed by campaign)
Indivisible Fort Bend County (listed by campaign)
Asian American Democrats of Texas (listed by campaign)
Cynthia Ginyard, former chairwoman of the Fort Bend County Democratic Party (listed by campaign)
Campaign website: apriljones4fbpct4.com