George explains what motivated his switch from Democrat to Republican.
RICHMOND, Texas — Fort Bend County Judge K.P. George has switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party, marking his second political party change in recent years as he faces criminal charges including two felony counts of money laundering and misdemeanor misrepresentation of identity.
George announced the party switch two weeks ago, claiming he was the victim of a political hit job by Democrats who he says turned against him because of his fiscal conservative views. The switch comes as George faces charges connected to his former chief of staff Taral Patel, who is accused of posting fake racist attacks against George online during his 2022 re-election campaign.
“They turned against me simply because I don’t align 100% with their far-left agendas,” George said in an interview with KHOU 11.
George’s political journey has been winding. He says he voted for Republican President George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004, but joined the Democratic Party in 2010 after Barack Obama was elected.
“And also at the time I had a young family with little kids and all that, and I thought they are more in line with what I believe,” George explained his decision to become a Democrat.
Criminal charges and allegations
The charges against George stem from actions by his former chief of staff Taral Patel, who allegedly posted phony racial attacks against George online to gain voter sympathy during the 2022 re-election campaign. Patel has cooperated with prosecutors and claims George was involved in the scheme.
When asked if Patel was lying about George’s involvement, George responded: “Absolutely.”
George contends the charges are politically motivated, claiming the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s office “concoct[ed] bogus charges against him” due to political differences. However, prosecutors strongly dispute this characterization.
“It is completely false, it is a criminal justice investigation that is not politically motivated,” said Wesley Wittig, second assistant district attorney for Fort Bend County.
George is set to face trial in March 2026. Wittig says Patel has agreed to testify against George.
George is also facing two felony counts of money laundering related to campaign finances. George previously said that “There is nothing illegal about loaning personal funds to my own campaign and later repaying that loan. This is a standard and lawful practice.”
Mixed reception from Republicans
George’s switch to the Republican Party has not been met with universal acceptance from his new political home. The state Republican Party chairman issued a critical statement about the timing of George’s party change.
“The state Republican Party chairman says K.P. George has never supported our platform, principles or priorities… This switch under legal pressure, is not credible,” the chairman said.
George appeared unfazed by the criticism.
“He is entitled to his opinion,” George said. “I respect that, that’s why I never said anything, it’s his opinion and way of looking at things.”
The controversial judge now faces the challenge of proving his allegiance to his new party while defending against the criminal charges that have overshadowed his political career.