Fort Bend County :TX – Voters woke up to a surprise this week when community leader Sara Khan announced her candidacy for Fort Bend County Treasurer, marking a return to local politics after briefly stepping away from a previous run for County Clerk due to family commitments.
Khan — who earlier in the year paused her campaign for County Clerk — released a campaign graphic and statement underscoring her private-sector experience and a promise to bring “unwavering dedication and commitment” to county finances. In her announcement she emphasized a deep understanding of “the complexities of private business and the responsibilities of public office,” and said she is ready to serve the residents of Fort Bend with transparency and fiscal discipline.
“I want to make sure taxpayer dollars are managed responsibly, that county finances are transparent, and that everyone — regardless of background or language — can access the services they need,” Khan said in her release. Her message centers on financial stewardship, improved public reporting, and stronger communication between the Treasurer’s office and Fort Bend’s rapidly growing communities.
Khan’s entry adds a fresh dynamic to Fort Bend’s down-ballot races. Her move from a prospective County Clerk bid to a Treasurer campaign brings a candidate with name recognition and a platform focused on fiscal accountability into what is often a lower-profile — but highly consequential — county office. The Treasurer oversees county funds, investments, and public financial reporting, responsibilities Khan says are well matched to her business experience.
Across the county, other contests are also taking shape. On the County Clerk front, Shah Haleem has announced a Democratic bid emphasizing modernization, cybersecurity and multilingual access to county services. Incumbent Laura Richard, who has served as County Clerk since 2015, remains a likely candidate on the Republican side — setting up a contrast between experience and reform across Fort Bend’s administrative offices.
Political observers say Khan’s Treasurer announcement could energize Democratic voters and draw attention to fiscal issues that often escape headlines until budgets or audits surface. “Treasure, bookkeeping, investment policies — these matter to taxpayers,” one local community leader commented. “A strong candidate can make transparency a visible, year-round priority.”
With filing for the March 2026 primary approaching, campaigns are already ramping up outreach, fundraising and messaging. Voters should expect the next few months to bring more detailed policy proposals from candidates — including specifics on how Khan would modernize financial reporting, how Haleem would transform Clerk services, and how incumbents will defend their records.
For residents who want to follow the developments, both Sara Khan’s announcement materials and Shah Haleem’s campaign outline are available on their campaign pages and social channels. As the election season unfolds, Fort Bend’s diverse and growing electorate will be watching which candidates can translate promises of transparency and modernization into clear plans for implementation.
