Walker County showed it remains a strong Republican county, favoring candidates in 12 national and state categories on Tuesday’s ballot, including president.
There were 5,200 Republicans who voted a straight party ticket.
John McCain and Sarah Palin collected 11,610 votes in Walker County compared to 7,323 for Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
McCain and Palin had 60.51 percent of the vote.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn had 11,610 votes in the county compared to 7,222 for challenger Rick Noriega.
U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady of The Woodlands, who spends considerable time in Walker County, had 11,823 votes or 63.17 percent to Kent Hargett’s 6,350 votes.
Michael Williams had 10,141 votes in seeking a new term on the Texas Railroad Commission. His opponent, Mark Thompson, had 7,353 in the county.
District 13 state Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, who was unopposed in her bid for re-election, had 14,321 votes in Walker County — one of four counties she represents in the state Legislature.
“We were definitely hoping to do a lot better, but a lot of people got activated and we will be looking at them for future effort,” said John Holcombe, who chairs the county Democratic Party.
“We will go back and study the numbers and see what will help in the future,” he said. “We’re really pleased that B.J. Gaines got re-elected to commissioner of Precinct 1 and Bobby Warren got elected commissioner of Precinct 3. We feel real good about that.
“I wish we had done better in the presidential race, but we’re going to have a party tonight anyway.”
Holcombe said he was looking for a higher voter turnout Tuesday because of the 11,000 voters who turned out for early voting.
“We had 9,000 voters Election Day and I was hoping more would turn out Tuesday, but it shows more and more people are voting early because they find it more convenient.”
Russell Martinez, who chairs the county Republican Party, said, “We were very pleased with the number of votes Republican candidates got in this climate.
“To see the Republican Party get 12 percent more straight ticket voting than the Democratic Party got, I was very pleased by that.”
“Clint McRae (sheriff) was right at 67 percent of the vote,” Martinez. “I was pleased with that. I was pleased to see the number of votes Republican candidates got.”
Martinez said Bobby Bates did a good job getting 2,064 votes in losing to Precinct 1 incumbent B.J. Gaines Jr., who had 2,592 votes.
“To come as close as Bobby did showed he worked hard,” Martinez said. ““I think in four more years he may be able to get there.”
Martinez said Charles W. Rushing had a tough challenge in opposing Democrat Bobby Warren for Precinct 3 commissioner — a precinct many consider to be the Democratic stronghold in the county.
Warren will replace retiring Precinct 3 commissioner Buddy Reynolds.
“Charles ran a good race,” Martinez said. “Overall, I am very pleased with our candidates.”
Martinez said he was impressed with the voter turnout, especially early voting with 11,000 casting ballots.
“I am pleased with the turnout,” he said. “Walker County is definitely a red county and we intend to keep it that way. The Republican Party is still the party of fiscal responsibility.
“The Republican Party has a responsibility to stay true to our values and our principals.”
Local News
GOP retains stronghold in Walker County
- Local News
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Fresh Face at City Hall
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New Waverly VFD saves house
Emergency responders quickly extinguished a fire before it caused serious damage to a home in southern Walker County on Tuesday afternoon.
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Crawfest back for 7th year
For the past seven years, Walker County residents have been cracking claws for a cause.
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Museum photo contest back
The Sam Houston Memorial Museum has announced it is now accepting entries for its 2012 photo contest.
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Region VI education participants receive certificates
Through the Adult education program, Region VI provides instruction in Adult Basic Education (ABE), Adult Secondary Education (ASE), General Education Development (GED) preparation and English as a Second Language (ESL), to individuals that did not complete high school, desire to increase academic skills, would like to obtain a General Education Development (GED) certificate or who simply desire to become more proficient in speaking English.
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Award for criminal justice legislation
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SHSU graduates join Army as officers
Fifteen ROTC cadets at Sam Houston State University, including 12 criminal justice majors, were officially commissioned as officers in the U.S. Army during a ceremony last week.
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STAFS donors remembered
The Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science Facility honored 27 individuals, including six veterans and a cancer victim whose final weeks were documented in a KTRK news story, for donating their bodies for research at the facility during the 2011-2012 academic year.
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SHSU honors staff
Four Sam Houston State University employees who have demonstrated excellence in service, commitment, meritorious performance and a high level of motivation have been selected as recipients of the 2012 Staff Excellence Award.
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