Fort Bend County Judge KP (Kyle Prasad) George’s journey from a small village in southern India to the helm of one of Texas’ fastest-growing counties is the story of an immigrant whose American Dream came to life.
Born in Kerala, India, in a village so remote it didn’t receive electricity until 2007, George often invoked his humble beginnings as the root of his empathy for working families and immigrants.
“That is the very reason why I understand people’s desire to provide for their family and the immigrant community at large,” he told the Defender.
Now, those roots are under mounting scrutiny as he defends his record and integrity while preparing for a 2026 reelection bid.
Entering public life
George served on the Fort Bend ISD school board for more than five years. His first countywide race came in 2018, when he challenged Republican incumbent Judge Bob Hebert in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
Fort Bend is often described as one of America’s most diverse counties. Its population is roughly 30% white, 24% Hispanic, 22% Asian, 20% Black and 4% other races, with more than 100 languages spoken across the county. For George, that diversity is both a personal connection and a governing challenge.
“That’s why Fort Bend is a unique place, it’s a melting pot,” he said.
Legal struggles
George is navigating the fight of his political life. Once celebrated as the first South Asian elected to lead a Texas county, he is now facing money laundering felony charges that could derail his future. Prosecutors allege he misused campaign funds for personal expenses, including property taxes and a down payment on a home, and concealed those transactions in campaign finance reports.
He has accused the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s office of pursuing politically motivated charges to force his resignation, insisted the case is baseless and vowed to fight it in court.
George’s defense is asking the court to dismiss the indictment, calling it legally insufficient. They argue that funding a campaign with personal money and then reimbursing oneself is lawful and does not constitute money laundering. George was arrested in April 2025 on these felony charges.
“This is actually absolutely absolute abuse of government resources and needs to stop. I will get my day in court,” he said. “If you remember, our President had indictments, but the people elected him to run this country.”
George was also indicted in September 2024 on a misdemeanor charge of misrepresentation of identity, accused of working with former staffer Taral Patel to doctor fake racist attacks on social media against his own campaign.
The controversy comes as George prepares for a reelection bid in 2026.
At the same time, his push for mid-decade redistricting has ignited partisan conflict, with opponents accusing him of manipulating maps to solidify Republican control after his party switch earlier this year.
Fiscal discipline and political realignment
One of George’s defining themes has been fiscal balance. Since he took office, the county budget has grown from nearly $500 million in 2023 to $732 million in 2025. He says he has frequently warned that such rapid growth is unsustainable. This year, he has pledged to deliver a “no new revenue” budget, tightening spending while maintaining core services like public safety and flood mitigation.
That focus on financial restraint was also central to George’s dramatic political shift. Although he began his career aligned with Democrats, George announced this year he was switching to the Republican Party, giving the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court Republicans a 3-2 majority.
“When you talk about social issues, abortion, family, marriage, fiscal responsibility, people coming from our background are very conservative,” he said. “I sided with a party [Democratic] under the impression that we could work out together for the betterment of our citizens, but that is not exactly what I experienced.”
Redistricting saga
Fort Bend County is experiencing its own redistricting saga, echoing the statewide movement and marking a rare mid-decade redistricting effort at the county level. The redistricting push is intricately tied to broader political shifts following George’s party switch. The move is controversial. Commissioner Dexter McCoy, a Democrat, pushed back, arguing the existing 2021 maps were already lawful and compliant with the Voting Rights Act.
“In 2021, a redistricting happened when I was on the other side,” George said. “You cannot redistrict based on race, but nobody told me that is not the case. For that very reason, our map could not be legal. So, we are in the process of fixing that. You will see properly redrawn commissioner precinct lines established.”
Democratic commissioners are not on board with these reforms.
“It’s disgusting,” said Precinct 4 Commissioner Dexter McCoy. “It is something we’ve got to fight against. Republicans are seeing their numbers dwindle. They see that their policies are not popular. They know that people are waking up to the fact that they’ve been in charge of this state for 40 years and it’s just gotten more expensive to live here.”
Infrastructure, flooding and safety
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>The September issue of the Fort Bend Forward Newsletter is now available!<br><br>Stay informed about the latest news, initiatives, and events happening in Fort Bend County. <br><br>You can read the full newsletter online here: <a href=”https://t.co/sMZzkzAH6N”>https://t.co/sMZzkzAH6N</a> <a href=”https://t.co/8MJmChXK6d”>pic.twitter.com/8MJmChXK6d</a></p>— County Judge KP George (@JudgeKPGeorge) <a href=”https://twitter.com/JudgeKPGeorge/status/1963361364677664896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>September 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
George’s administration has prioritized infrastructure and flood control in a county bisected by the Brazos River, which he calls the “crazy river” for its unpredictable shifts. Fort Bend has secured $264 million in funding for 25 major flood control projects, while also working with the Army Corps of Engineers, TxDOT and the state General Land Office.
The county has also invested in disaster response, including drones and over 60 flood cameras to provide real-time data on evacuations and high-risk roads.
With Fort Bend’s population and housing costs soaring, George has acknowledged that affordability is becoming a pressing concern. The county has launched initiatives to address homelessness and expand affordable housing. He frames housing as part of a broader focus on equity.
“We work very closely with community development and have a Fort Bend County Housing Finance Corporation,” George explained.
Looking ahead
George is the first South Asian elected as a top county official in Texas, a milestone he sees as symbolic.
Whether he can overcome the legal and political challenges ahead may determine not only his legacy but also the direction of Fort Bend itself.
“I’m not really worried about any legacy and I just wanted to do whatever the best I can do,” he said. “God put me here for a reason and he has a specific vision about me.”
