CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The top seat in Nueces County will be occupied by Republican Connie Scott.
The former state representative ousted incumbent and Democrat Barbara Canales by nearly 11 percentage points, with 100 percent of precincts reporting.
Canales called Scott just after 9:30 pm Tuesday to concede the election and congratulate her.
Scott says her priorities include working to reach a consensus across the aisle and to begin addressing employment vacancies at the courthouse.
"Working together with our community leaders with the commissioners on the court to solve problems, it's going to be a great opportunity for us," Scott said. "We have some ideas, we have some things we really want to focus on. Manning those positions that are short, whether they be at the jail or the district attorney's office, those kinds of things have to take priority, just county judge business."
Scott also says the old county courthouse is also a priority.
"Please god let me be able to take care of that thing," she said. "Everybody's talked about it for so long it's just falling apart and it's a danger to our community."
And while she thanked her supporters, she also had a message for those who did not cast a vote in her favor.
"I am elected to represent you as well," Scott said. "I do want to be available I want to be accessible and I want to hear your ideas. I want to hear your concerns and I want to bring those to the table as well. I hope to be open and transparent."
UPDATE (10:02 p.m.):
After 100 percent of voting centers have reported, Connie Scott remains on top with a 55.70 percent of the vote, while Barbara Canales has 44.3 percent of the vote.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Just after 9:30 p.m., KRIS 6 News' Bryan Hofmann was told that Barbara Canales, incumbent and Democratic candidate in the race for Nueces County Judge, has conceded to Republican challenger Connie Scott.
As of 9:50 p.m., 60/65 voting centers have reported, with Scott having 55.17 percent of the vote. Canales is behind with 44.83 percent of the vote.
More information will be available as it comes in later this evening, as votes are still being tallied at the Nueces County Courthouse.
For the latest local news updatesclick here, or download the KRIS 6 News App.
