Port Aransas voters stayed the course and elected all Republican candidates in balloting on Tuesday, Nov. 2.

With one exception, their votes reflected the voting of Nueces County as a whole. While Nueces County elected Democrat Mark Skurka as district attorney, Port Aransas voters leaned toward incumbent appointee Anna Jimenez. She was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to replace Carlos Valdez who resigned to become the city attorney for Corpus Christi.

Port Aransas voters are not all residents of the city. Precinct 19 has been divided into two sections, A and B, with voters in Precinct 19A those who live on Mustang Island, but in the city limits of Corpus Christi. Voters in Precinct 19B also are Mustang Island residents, but live in the city limits of Port Aransas.

Election judge Joe Bomarito said the turnout was “big,” with 43 percent of the 3,150 registered voters in the combined precincts casting ballots.

Early voting drew 805 voters, and Tuesday’s voting brought in another 562 to vote, for a total of 1, 367 ballots cast.

Port Aransas joined other District 27 voters to unseat veteran Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz, a Corpus Christi Democrat. Republican R. Blake Farenthold wrested the seat with a total of 594 votes between the two precincts.

Precinct 19A and B voters joined voters statewide to return incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Perry to office, with a combined total of 585 votes to 239 for Democratic challenger Bill White.

Incumbent Republican Attorney Gen. Greg Abbott got the nod from local voters, with 651 votes to his Democratic challenger Barbara Ann Radnofsky’s 155 votes in the combined precincts.

Republican Jerry Patterson was returned as commissioner of the Texas General Land Office with 657 combined votes. His majority party challenger, Democrat Hector Uribe, garnered 146 votes.

Republican Dist. 32 State Rep. Todd Hunter, unopposed in his bid for re-election, was the big attraction for voters, garnering the most votes with 714.

County Judge Loyd Neal, a Republican, was returned to office with 675 votes to challenger Democrat Clarissa Gonzales’ 155 votes.

Republican Brent Chesney defeated County Court at Law No. 5 Judge Terry Shamsie, a Democrat appointed to replace the late Carl Lewis, by 632 to 195 votes.

Precinct 4 County Commissioner Joe McComb, Republican, was unopposed, and drew 683 votes. He defeated GOP incumbent Chuck Cazalas in the primary.

Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace, Republican Duncan Neblett, also is unopposed, drew 711 votes.

Voters casting straight party ballots totaled 326 Republicans and 60 Democrats. In Precinct 19A, that was 87.5% of the voters going GOP, and 12.5 percent voting Democratic. In 19B, the percentage was 77.44 percent GOP and 19.84 percent Democratic.