By Pearland Stories
Kevin Cole is a lifelong Texan, real estate developer, and conservative Republican from Pearland who is running for Brazoria County Judge after nearly five years as Mayor of Pearland, campaigning on public safety, infrastructure, flood control, property tax relief, and smart growth. He presents himself as a proven, strategic leader with more than three decades of combined business, civic, and public service experience and a track record of managing rapid growth while keeping government efficient and accountable.
Early life and local roots
Kevin moved to Pearland in 1977 and has lived in Brazoria County for more than forty years, giving him deep personal and professional roots in the communities he now seeks to serve countywide. A graduate of Pearland High School, he later earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a minor in public relations from Texas Tech University, blending communications training with a business-oriented education.
Kevin and his wife, Lisa, have been married for 38 years, raised four children, and now have a large and growing group of grandchildren, and they are active members of Crosspoint Church. He frequently ties his decision to seek the County Judge role to his Christian faith, saying he believes God has given him a new assignment to help lead Brazoria County through its next phase of growth.
Business background and professional experience
Outside of elected office, Kevin has built a long career as a real estate developer, working on projects that involve land planning, infrastructure, and economic development across the Pearland and Northern Brazoria County area. This experience informs his reputation as a strategic planner who understands how to align transportation, land use, and private investment so communities can grow without sacrificing quality of life.
He has been heavily involved in regional economic and infrastructure initiatives, serving as cofounder and past chairman of the Greater 288 Partnership, which advocated for improvements to Highway 288 and major transportation projects in the corridor. Kevin has also served on boards and committees focused on education, chambers of commerce, and infrastructure, including the Northern Brazoria County Education Alliance, the Pearland Chamber of Commerce, and various advisory committees on road and drainage projects.
Public service and record in Pearland
Kevin’s public service began in the early 1990s, when he was appointed to the Pearland Planning and Zoning Commission in 1994, then elected to Pearland City Council from 1995 to 1998 and again from 2004 to 2010. During his time on council, he helped secure long-term water rights for the city and played a key role in developing Pearland’s Lower Kirby area by pushing for a market-based land plan and rezoning that unlocked significant commercial growth.
In 2020, Kevin was elected Mayor of Pearland, succeeding Tom Reid and becoming the city’s first new mayor in decades. As mayor, he has focused on strengthening public safety, improving roads and drainage, and managing rapid population and economic growth with an emphasis on long-term planning and responsible fiscal management.
He also represents Pearland regionally as a member of the Houston-Galveston Area Council Board of Directors and as 2nd Vice Chair of the Transportation Policy Council, helping guide the distribution of federal transportation dollars for major road and infrastructure projects across the region. This regional experience is a central part of his case that he is prepared to coordinate county-level infrastructure and growth planning.
Campaign for Brazoria County Judge
Kevin is running for Brazoria County Judge in the 2026 Republican primary, seeking to succeed long-time Judge Matt Sebesta, who is not running for reelection. His campaign messaging emphasizes that Brazoria County is on the cusp of major growth as projects like Highway 99 move forward and population continues to rise, and he argues that the county needs a leader who has already managed that kind of growth at the city level.
His stated priorities as a County Judge candidate include:
• Improving roads and mobility to handle future growth and reduce congestion.
• Strengthening public safety by supporting law enforcement and first responders.
• Advancing flood control and drainage projects to protect homes and businesses.
• Providing property tax relief while keeping government transparent and efficient.
• Promoting smart growth that encourages job creation and diversifies the tax base.
Kevin describes his candidacy as the next step in a lifelong commitment to Pearland and Brazoria County, saying he will continue to support the city he grew up in while applying his planning, development, and mayoral experience to benefit the entire county. Supporters highlight his decades-long record of involvement in local politics, business, and regional planning as evidence that he is a seasoned, proven conservative ready to serve as Brazoria County’s next chief executive.
Opposing Candidate Snapshots
Kevin Cole and Rob Giesecke are both conservative Republicans focused on growth, safety, infrastructure, and taxes. They differ in background, governing style, and how they frame the job of County Judge. The contrasts below highlight practical points for voter education pieces and forums.
Kevin Cole Longtime Pearland mayor and regional planner focused on managing rapid growth and city-level services.
Rob Giesecke Port Freeport chairman and commercial real estate broker emphasizing taxpayer protection and fiscal discipline.
Kevin Cole Presents himself as a “proven conservative leader” with decades in Pearland government, growth management, and transportation planning.
Rob Giesecke Describes himself as a “taxpayers’ watchdog,” citing a record of cutting a government tax rate to zero and imposing term limits at the Port.
Kevin Cole
Mayor of Pearland, former city council member, and planning and zoning commissioner.
Rob Giesecke
Port Freeport commissioner and chairman, commercial broker, and former county GOP treasurer.
Experience and Governing Lens
Cole’s experience is rooted in city hall functions such as planning and zoning, city council leadership, and mayoral service. His focus centers on roads, drainage, utilities, and public safety in a fast-growing suburban city.
Giesecke’s experience revolves around special-district governance and business finance. He has overseen a major deep-water port’s budget and tax rate while working in commercial real estate.
Cole positions himself as the candidate who has already managed large-scale growth and regional transportation planning and now wants to scale that expertise to the county level.
Giesecke portrays himself as an outsider to city politics who will bring a sharper, business-style focus to reducing spending and taxes in Commissioners Court.
Policy Priorities and Emphasis
Both candidates stress safety, infrastructure, and low taxes, though their emphasis varies.
Cole lists his top priorities as safer communities, low taxes through responsible budgeting, efficient and transparent government, and smart growth supported by reliable infrastructure and effective public safety.
Giesecke names his top issues as lowering taxes, strengthening public safety, investing in flood mitigation and road improvements, and protecting seniors and disabled residents through tax freezes. He also pledges to require voter approval for new county debt.
Cole identifies the county’s biggest challenge as managing rapid growth while keeping up with infrastructure and public safety staffing needs.
Giesecke points to rising property taxes and limited county jail capacity as urgent problems, arguing for cost-effective, business-informed solutions.
Style, Messaging, and Endorsements
Cole emphasizes faith, service, and calling, describing his candidacy as a continuation of public service for Pearland and Brazoria County. His messaging focuses on collaboration and strategic planning with county and regional leaders to scale services along with population growth.
Giesecke centers his message on keeping promises and results, pointing to tax cuts and term limits as evidence of follow-through. His campaign stresses combating wasteful spending, cutting taxes, and maintaining firm fiscal oversight of major budget items.
Governor Greg Abbott has publicly endorsed Giesecke, which his campaign highlights as evidence of strong conservative credentials.
Cole’s materials focus on his local leadership roles, community roots, and regional experience rather than statewide endorsements.
Voter Takeaway
Voters who value long records of city governance, regional collaboration, and growth management may lean toward Kevin Cole’s background in mayoral and planning leadership.
Voters who prioritize aggressive tax reduction, strict oversight, and fiscal accountability may gravitate toward Rob Giesecke’s experience in port administration and business finance.