By: Pearland Stories
Rob Giesecke is a conservative, fifth-generation Texan and lifelong Brazoria County resident who is running for Brazoria County Judge on a platform of putting taxpayers first, strengthening public safety, and investing wisely in county infrastructure. A commercial real estate broker and current Port Freeport Commission chairman, he is positioning his candidacy as a way to bring proven fiscal discipline and conservative leadership from the Port to the Commissioners Court.
Early life and local roots
Rob is an Alvin native whose family has called Brazoria County home since before the Texas Revolution, with a family cattle brand recorded among the first registered in the county. Growing up in the county he now seeks to lead, he graduated from Alvin High School and later earned his degree from Texas A&M University, grounding his public service in both local experience and a strong Texas education.
Professional career and business experience
In his professional life, Rob works as a self-employed commercial real estate broker, a role that requires daily analysis of complex financials, long-term investments, and market trends affecting businesses and property owners across the region. He emphasizes that this background equips him to scrutinize county budgets, evaluate major capital projects, and ask hard questions about spending so that taxpayers receive measurable value for every dollar.
Record of public service
Rob was first elected to the Port Freeport Commission in 2021, where he pledged to cut the Port tax rate to zero, establish term limits, and eliminate full-time health benefits for part-time commissioners, and he fulfilled each of those promises. Under his leadership, the Port Commission has maintained a zero tax rate while continuing to operate one of Texas’s major economic engines, and in 2025 he was selected by his colleagues to serve as chairman of the Port Freeport Commission.
Beyond the port, Rob has served as Treasurer of the Brazoria County Republican Party since 2019, giving him hands-on experience with financial accountability and grassroots political organization in the county. He has also been active in public safety and community organizations, including past service on the Brazoria County Crime Stoppers board and current service on the board of the 100 Club of Brazoria County.
Community involvement and conservative leadership
Rob’s civic engagement spans a wide range of local business, civic, and political organizations where he has worked alongside community leaders to promote economic growth and public safety. His campaign for County Judge has earned support from state and local leaders, including an endorsement from Governor Greg Abbott, who has highlighted Rob’s record of backing law enforcement, cutting taxes, and fighting wasteful spending.
As a Republican candidate in the 2026 primary for Brazoria County Judge, Rob is running on four core priorities: lower taxes, strong public safety, better roads and drainage, and term limits. He has framed his campaign as a choice for “promises made, promises kept,” arguing that his track record at Port Freeport shows he will bring that same disciplined, taxpayer-focused approach to county government.
Vision for Brazoria County Judge
If elected County Judge, Rob pledges to hold the line on taxes and search for efficiencies in county operations so that savings can be returned directly to taxpayers. He plans to prioritize public safety by supporting law enforcement and ensuring local officers have the tools, staffing, and training needed to keep neighborhoods safe across rapidly growing communities like Pearland, Alvin, Lake Jackson, and beyond.
Rob also emphasizes the importance of long-term infrastructure, committing to drive forward critical projects in road improvements and flood mitigation to protect homes, businesses, and industry in a county that continues to grow and face significant weather risks. He has pledged to apply a self-imposed term limit to his own service as County Judge, underscoring his belief that elected office is a season of service, not a career.
Grounded in generations of Brazoria County history yet focused on the county’s future, Rob presents himself as a conservative problem-solver who combines private-sector experience, a record of eliminating taxes at the Port, and deep community ties to lead Brazoria County through its next season of growth.
See 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.
Read About Opponent Kevin Cole