 Richard Nixon narrowly carried the county in 1968, making it the only county in Greater Houston outside of Harris County to go Republican that year, and carried it again in 1972.In 1976, conservative physician Ron Paul of Brazoria County, noted for his opposition to most government programs, which earned him the nickname "Dr. No", captured the 22nd district in the United States House of Representatives in a special election, before narrowly losing reelection in the November election in which Gerald Ford also won Fort Bend, despite losing Texas to Jimmy Carter.Beginning in 1978, Republicans began to win several offices within the county, with William P. Clements carrying the county in his successful run for governor.