I was taught early in life that public service isn’t a title—it’s a responsibility. Growing up in a working-class family, I watched my parents and grandparents work long hours, volunteer in our community, and show up for neighbors in times of need. That example shaped my career in law and community advocacy, and it’s the same example that drives my campaign for Fort Bend County Commissioner, Precinct 4.

As an attorney and community advocate, I’ve seen firsthand how decisions about roads, drainage, healthcare, and county services can open doors for families—or leave them behind. From helping clients navigate complex systems to working with local organizations, I’ve built a reputation for listening carefully, fighting hard, and treating everyone with dignity, regardless of race, income, or ZIP code.

Precinct 4 families are doing everything right—working hard, raising kids, paying taxes—yet too often they’re stuck with unsafe roads, neighborhoods that flood, healthcare that’s hard to access, and services that don’t keep up with growth. I’m running for Commissioner to change that, so county government stays focused on what really matters: keeping people safe, protecting homes, expanding healthcare access, and making sure every neighborhood has a fair shot.

Why Precinct 4 Needs Accountable, Practical Leadership

Precinct 4 faces unique pressures as one of the fastest-growing parts of Fort Bend County. Rapid development has brought opportunity but also stress on infrastructure and services. When roads deteriorate, when stormwater drains fail, and when clinics are too few and far between, everyday life becomes harder for working families. The role of a county leader is to prioritize solutions that protect safety and property while anticipating growth. That means investing smartly in roads, drainage, and public health infrastructure so residents don’t pay the price for delayed action.

Effective leadership requires translating community concerns into actionable plans and measurable results. It means moving from promises to budgets, from studies to shovel-ready projects, and from complaints to completed repairs. A county commissioner must also be a fiscal steward, finding ways to leverage county funds with state grants, public-private partnerships, and targeted bond initiatives. By prioritizing projects based on safety risk and equity, county government can ensure that all neighborhoods—older communities and new developments alike—receive the attention they deserve.

Accountability also means transparent communication. Residents deserve clear timelines, public reporting on project status, and accessible channels to raise issues. When leaders respond quickly to flooding complaints, when they coordinate with emergency services during storms, and when they plan roads that connect neighborhoods safely, trust is built. That trust is the foundation that allows community advocacy to thrive and ensures that public service stays focused on people rather than politics.

Policy Priorities: Concrete Steps to Improve Roads, Drainage, Healthcare, and Services

Addressing the basic needs of Precinct 4 requires a set of practical, fundable policy priorities. First, a targeted road maintenance and improvement plan should be created that ranks projects by safety impact and economic benefit. This plan would expand preventative maintenance, accelerate resurfacing of hazardous stretches, and fund pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure to improve mobility and reduce accidents. Prioritization should include equity metrics so older, under-resourced neighborhoods are not left behind.

Second, a comprehensive and modernized approach to stormwater management is essential. That includes identifying chronic flooding hotspots, securing federal and state grants for large-scale drainage projects, and implementing low-impact development techniques that reduce runoff. Coordinated planning between county departments, municipalities, and local water districts can reduce duplication and accelerate repairs. Residents should see clear timelines and mitigation plans before the rainy season.

Third, expanding access to healthcare must be a county priority. This can be achieved by partnering with community health centers, improving transportation links to clinics and hospitals, and supporting mobile health initiatives that reach underserved neighborhoods. Mental health resources and preventative care programs save lives and reduce long-term costs—investments that pay off in a healthier, more productive community.

Finally, strengthening county services means using data to drive decisions, increasing transparency around budgets and project outcomes, and streamlining permitting and code enforcement to support safe, well-maintained neighborhoods. By combining community-informed priorities with sound fiscal management, county leadership can deliver services that protect families and promote sustainable growth.

Community Stories and Case Studies: Real-World Wins and What They Teach Us

Real change is best demonstrated through examples where focused action made a measurable difference. Consider a neighborhood that faced repeated flooding after every heavy rain. Through coordinated advocacy, engineers assessed the watershed, identified bottlenecks, and phased in relief projects that included culvert replacements and detention basins. Within a year, emergency calls dropped and home damage claims declined—evidence that strategic investment in drainage protects both property and peace of mind.

Another example comes from a small corridor where poor road conditions caused safety hazards and limited local commerce. A coalition of residents, businesses, and county staff developed a priority list that combined resurfacing with improved crosswalks and lighting. By blending county funds with a state transportation grant and a modest local match, the project moved quickly from design to completion. The result was safer streets, increased foot traffic for small businesses, and a renewed sense of community pride.

Legal advocacy and community representation also deliver results. When families encountered barriers to accessing county services—whether due to unclear forms, language hurdles, or complex appeals processes—an attorney who understood those systems helped navigate solutions, secured needed benefits, and pushed for procedural reforms. Those reforms reduced delays for hundreds of residents and made services more equitable.

Leadership that listens and acts builds momentum. Community advocates and elected officials can replicate these models across Precinct 4 by focusing on projects with clear metrics, seeking diverse funding sources, and ensuring residents are at the table during planning and implementation. In the spirit of service and accountability, working together turns challenges into durable solutions that protect homes, expand access to care, and create safer, stronger neighborhoods for everyone.

Lucas Andrade

Porto Alegre jazz trumpeter turned Shenzhen hardware reviewer. Lucas reviews FPGA dev boards, Cantonese street noodles, and modal jazz chord progressions. He busks outside electronics megamalls and samples every new bubble-tea topping.