An Earthquake Took Place: Many A Top County Post Shift Republican

An Earthquake Took Place: Many A Top County Post Shift Republican
Nueces County, TX -- The Republican Party did an excellent job in getting their supporters out to vote. One major problem with the Democratic Party was that it found itself split due to internal problems both ideological and personal powercratic struggles.
In the race for County Judge Loyd Neal, the Republican candidate and former mayor of Corpus Christi, won with about 54 percent of the vote over his Democratic rival Larry Olivarez, former Sheriff of the county.
Neal told the South Side Defender: "It has been a long day, but we made history. Thanks to every one though out Nueces County that turned out to vote." He added: "I since the get-go that we had to get a certain percentage of the Democratic Party vote. We intend to open county government up. There will be some people that will not be very happy; but that is okay." Another Republican was in the spotlight: Jim Kaelin, a retired state trooper, triumph (procuring 53 percent of the vote) over Democratic challenger Jimmy Rodriguez, a Sheriff Chief Deputy. Kaelin told our publication: "It has been a tremendous victory. We bring a fresh appointment to county government. The jail is not the only issue, but is a symptom of many other issues that need to get addressed. I will not have the honeymoon as some of the victories will have. The vote will be canvassed and I will take office a short time after." Sheriff-Elect Kaelin said: "I will not be a Republican or Democratic sheriff that will be serving the county. I will be a sheriff for everyone. I will have only two years then my term will be over. I can be thrown out if I do not perform. This victory, in my opinion, was a mandate from the majority of the people that they are tired of the way the government was being run. The thing I bring to this office is my service." Kaelin also announced that his new Chief Deputy will be John Galvan (a veteran officer). In the 148th Judicial District Court Maricela Saldana (a county court at law judge) won by a light margin (one percent) over Attorney Guy Williams. There were some voting "box" problems, especially at Moody High School. The voting at that site continued until 8:14 p.m. County Clerk Diana Barrera reported that some of the numbers had to be physically trans-ferred to machines. After the election there was a huge white board at the Nueces County Courthouse where the numbers were being posted as they came in from various precincts. The projection on the board was difficult to read. In reference to the beach ban charter amendment (proposition #1) failed to pass. In other words, vehicle access will be allowed. The vote was 45 percent, for; and 55 percent, against. Charter amendment #2 passed -- future bands will have to go before the voters. Some political analysts believe that the beach contro-versy boosted voter turnout for both Neal and Kaelin. There were some anti-developer signs that read: "Don't let them steal our beach." Hal Suter, who campaigned against Charter Amendent #1 said: "We carried the early vote. A lot of the voters in island turned out to the polls." On another major race that reflected the "dynasty effect" was one for District 33 State Representative seat. Solomon P. Ortiz Jr. won over Republican challenger Joe McComb only by three percent -- that is, Ortiz' 53 percent to McComb's 47 percent. Ortiz Jr. did not win by a mandate but hair-length push. Incumbent State Representative Gene Seaman managed to keep his seat over the high dollar "negative advertisement" advance by rival Juan Garcia. The Libertarian candidate -- Lenard L. Nelson -- managed to acquire only six percent. But despite the loss, Garcia, did quite well in a traditionally conservative area. Incumbent Gene Seaman stated at Republican Headquarters: "The mood here was upbeat. I have worked hard. Furthermore, my wife and I did walk to thousands of homes. We visited some even three times." Incumbent District Judge Tom Greenwell (Republican) was able to keep his seat -- i.e., procuring 56 percent of the vote, winning over Robert Zamora. Greenwell was also being endorsed by the DOC-PAC: a PAC that contributed to Saldana's one percent gain over Williams. Bobby Galvan also won his bout for a District Judge seat over James Sales. (This article reflect some of the major races at the County Level).