Natalie Weber / Houston Public Media

Republican incumbent Andy Meyers won his re-election bid for Fort Bend County Commissioner Precinct 3, defeating an opponent facing criminal charges in a district that was redistricted to favor Democrats.

With all polling centers reporting, Meyers won nearly 59 percent of the vote, taking a commanding lead over Taral Patel, former chief of staff to Justice KP George.

Investigators said they found evidence that Patel was using online aliases to make racist comments on his own campaign page. Patel was also accused of impersonation of a judge and pretending to be a former county engineering employee.

Meyers said he promoted unity and accused his opponent of trying to divide the county.

“This is a very diverse community,” he said. “We have to bring everyone together, work together for the betterment of everyone.”

Patel was custody in June. He faces nine criminal charges: four counts of felony online impersonation, three counts of misrepresentation, one count of felony online impersonation and one misdemeanor charge of harassment.

Patel was not immediately available for comment. He previously clerked for Fort Bend County Judge KP George, who was also defendant. Prosecutors said the judge knew Patel also used pseudonyms to benefit George’s campaign.

After the allegations came to light, several local leaders withdrew their endorsement of Patel. Precinct 4 County Commissioner Dexter McCoy asked Patel to withdraw from the race.

Meyers said he also won some support from local Democrats, helping him lead Tuesday night’s race.

“I’m encouraged that so many people came out and voted, and many of them were across party lines,” Meyers said.

Meyers was first elected in 1996 and is the second longest serving member of the commissioners court. Ward 2 County Commissioner Grady Prestage is the longest serving member, having been first elected in 1990.

Fort Bend County commissioners serve four-year terms, earning a salary of $170,919. Precinct 3 includes parts of Sugar Land, Stafford and Meadows Place.