The Issues
Public Safety
As a 21-year Air Force veteran, Judge Mark Henry is unwavering in his support of the men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line to protect our families and communities. He is committed to ensuring our officers have the resources they need to stay safe so they can return back to their families after their shift. As County Judge, Mark has increased the number of officers on our streets for the Sheriff’s Office and Constable’s Offices to continue keeping Galveston County safe.
In 2021, when the Biden Administration left our southern border wide open to dangerous illegal immigrants coming into our communities, Galveston County saw a spike in fentanyl overdose deaths – ranking 2nd in Texas. Judge Henry declared a disaster due to the imminent threat to the health and safety of our community and immediately launched the Galveston County Southern Border Taskforce. The taskforce was comprised of the Galveston County Sheriff and three Constable’s Offices who were tapped to send deputies down to help secure the border. Upon the first week of deployment, Galveston County law enforcement officers arrested residents of our county along the border engaged in human trafficking, with one who was identified as a member of a murderous Latin gang. The reckless open border policies of the failed Biden Administration were directly pumping dangerous criminals and drugs into Galveston County. Under Judge Henry’s leadership, we were one of the only non-border counties in Texas to stand up and actively send law enforcement to help secure the border. The effort eventually transitioned over to Operation Lone Star, led by Governor Greg Abbott, which Galveston County continued to participate in until being stood down in April 2025, a few months after President Trump took office and finally closed the southern border.