Republican Mark Henry won a fifth term as Galveston County judge on Nov. 3, defeating Democrat Albert Smith.

Henry received 57.18% of the vote compared to 42.82% for Smith, according to unofficial county election results reported by FOX 26 Houston. The results have not yet been certified by the county canvass.

The outcome matters for League City. As we reported on Election Day, the race determined who would preside over the Commissioners Court for the next four years. The county judge serves as the presiding officer of the county's governing body, Houston Public Media reported. County judges are elected to four-year terms and face no term limits.

Henry was first elected Galveston County judge in 2010. During the campaign, he touted an almost 50% cut in the county's property tax rate over his 15 years in office, according to Houston Public Media. He also promoted cutting a significant amount of the county's debt and earning the highest bond rating possible for the county.

Henry ran on lowering taxes, increasing law enforcement and reducing the size of government. He received endorsements from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and state Reps. Dennis Paul and Greg Bonnen, according to his social media.

The margin held up. In coverage published Nov. 3, Henry told Houston Public Media, "We are of course pleased. We thought we would do better, but we're safe, and Election Day will not dramatically change the outcome."

Henry also said he understood "people's frustrations with the economy and gas prices, but at the local level we don't have much to do with that … we're appreciative of the chance to serve for four more years."

Smith, a former educator and military veteran, ran on ensuring county resources reach historically underserved neighborhoods, improving access to essential services and increasing the availability of quality housing, according to his campaign materials.

"I really appreciate everybody's support," Smith told Houston Public Media on election night. "My constituents, Democrats and the Republican people of Galveston County, it's been really, really great."

Henry faced Republican primary challenger Chris Kinard earlier in 2026 before advancing to the general election. Smith ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. All members of the Galveston County Commissioners Court are Republican, and two county commissioners, Joe Giusti and Robin Armstrong, ran unopposed in the Nov. 3 general election.