Keough upsets Doyal, heads to general election
One-term County Judge Craig Doyal could not overcome an aggressive campaign from challenger Mark Keough, who upset the incumbent to win the Republican bid for the county’s top elected position in Tuesday’s primary election.
Keough will face Democrat Jay Stittleburg in the November general election, with the winner taking over Montgomery County Commissioners Court starting with the Jan. 1, 2019, swearing-in ceremony.
The embattled Doyal, who is under criminal indictment for an alleged violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act, stayed the course in his campaign and maintained his work as county judge has led to tax cuts, a lower budget and better mobility.
But it wasn’t enough to garner the support for a second bid as county judge for Doyal, who had served as Precinct 2 commissioners since 2001 before being elected county judge in 2014.
Keough earned a surprisingly easy victory with 57.83 percent of the votes (27,134 votes) to Doyal’s 42.17 percent (19,786 votes).
“I’m very, very excited about what has taken place,” Keough said after seeing the results. “I can’t wait to get started. I just thank God and all the people that helped me, and most of all my wife Kim. “It’s amazing.” Despite many hot-button issues, the tolling of Texas 249 seemed to take the spotlight for the two men.
Keough took a hard stance against toll roads, while Doyal believes tolling is the only way to get the county the mobility it needs.
The Montgomery County Toll Road Authority, which is made up of the members of the Montgomery County Commissioners Court, is planning the construction of the four-lane stretch of the Texas 249 toll road that will extend from the Spring Creek Bridge to Pinehurst. Currently, there are three feeder lanes in each direction. The tolled section will be between the feeders. Motorists who do not want to pay the toll will continue to have the option to use the feeders that will remain free.
Keough has questioned the details of the project, including the cost and the length. During a Dec. 14 forum, he noted cost estimates from the Texas Department of Transportation letting schedule just two weeks ago has the project listed around $82 million, plus the $10 million to $13 million the county already spent, for a total approaching $95 million. Keough added that the length of the project has varied from 3.6 miles to 4.7 miles.
The public has been told the project will cost around $73 million and that the county’s portion is 3.6 miles long.
“I think toll roads are another form of taxation,” Keough said during the Dec. 14 forum. “I’m out on toll roads. Toll roads are about a bigger issue; it’s about big government.”
Doyal said that is absolutely wrong.
“I’m not a big fan of toll roads,” Doyal said. “But if there is no other way to pay for a road and you are drowning and drowning, there are few other options for funding.”
According to James Baker, operations manager for Halff Associates and engineering firm for the project, said the county will sell revenue bonds to investors based on the revenue projects of the road. If for some reason the road does not make the projected revenue, although Baker said it is not likely, it is the investors who are on the hook for the cost, not Montgomery County.
In a previous Courier article, TxDOT officials confirmed that if the state builds the road, it would be tolled no matter what.
Doyal, Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley and political consultant Davenport were indicted June 24, 2016, on charges of conspiring to circumvent TOMA regarding negotiations of the November 2015 $280 million road bond referendum. Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Clark also was indicted on the same charge. But in an agreement with the state, Clark’s charge was dismissed in December in exchange for his testimony against the other three men if those cases go to trial.
While the charges were dismissed in April, the Ninth Court of Appeals in Beaumont reinstated the indictments and sent the case back to district court for trial court proceedings.
No date has been set for the proceedings. However, Doyal’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, said he plans to appeal the constitutionality ruling to the Court of Criminal Appeals.
Keough also hammered away at Doyal for the indictment and other ethics issues, which seemed to take its toll on the incumbent’s chances for re-election as well.
Keough’s promises to reduce property tax burdens, get property appraisals under control and reduce government spending also seemed to gain support of voters.