Trever Nehls, the current Congressional District 22 Republican candidate will be Wong’s Chief of Staff. Nehls served in the U.S. Army where he rose to the rank of Colonel, he’s also been a member of the Sugar Land Police Department and Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Constable.
Bobby Eberle, the outgoing Fort Bend County Republican Party Chairman will assume the role of Director of Communications. Eberle is a political consultant and conservative talk show host.
Jacob Lee, a political strategist with NextGen Political Consulting and Wong’s campaign manager, ran a meeting with county employees this week. Wong was by his side. It is not clear whether Lee will have a paid position within the interim county judge’s office.
Daniel Wong was sworn in Monday as interim county judge for Fort Bend County, formally assuming the role following the court-ordered suspension of County Judge KP George.
Wong’s swearing-in follows an April 10 ruling by Galveston County Judge Jeth Jones in Fort Bend’s 400th Judicial District Court, which temporarily suspended George from office as part of an ongoing civil case. The lawsuit alleges George violated the First Amendment rights of two residents during Commissioners Court meetings held last July and September, according to court filings.
Prior to the court’s ruling, commissioners had named Precinct 2 Commissioner Grady Prestage as presiding officer during a March 26 meeting, anticipating a potential vacancy or suspension tied to George’s legal situation. That temporary measure has now been superseded by the district court’s order and Wong’s swearing-in.
Wong’s appointment has come under scrutiny. Precinct Four Commissioner Dexter McCoy told ABC 13’s Nick Natario, “Judge Jones abandoned judicial independence and chose to put his thumb on the scale of our elections.” Dexter is the clear Democratic frontrunner in the race for County Judge. He faces Rachelle Carter in the May runoff. The winner will go on to face Wong in November. Carter told ABC 13, “This may warrant some review to ensure the process is clear and fair. At face value, it could be viewed as creating an unfair advantage.”
Mr. Wong told reporters he wouldn’t answer questions on his appointment. “I have no comments on people out there saying whatever they can say,” Wong said. “I have no comment at all today.”