Two Democratic Kleberg County incumbents were defeated in Tuesday’s Democratic Primary Runoff Election, and a former deputy district clerk will become district clerk in January of 2011.

Current Deputy District Clerk Melissa Ruiz Salinas won out over Crystal L. Lomas, 955 to 888 votes, to become the district clerk-elect. There is no Republican challenger in the November general election.

Salinas said she is very excited for her new position and looks forward to beginning her term in January.

“I am very happy and excited that the voters of Kleberg County elected me as their new District Clerk. I am deeply grateful that the voters have the confidence that I will do a good job, and for that I thank everyone,” Salinas said.

“I would also like to thank my opponent, Crystal Lomas, for running a positive campaign, and I wish her luck in the future. As the district clerk-elect, I will work hard for all the citizens and taxpayers of Kleberg County just like I do now as a Deputy District Clerk,” Salinas said.

Joe G. Hinojosa out polled incumbent Norma Nelda Alvarez, 341 to 265 votes, for Precinct 2 county commissioner and will face Republican Chuck Schultz in November.

“I am very happy with the results and I would like to thank all of my supporters,” Hinojosa said. “I would also like to thank my opponent also for her work these past few years; it was a good clean race and I appreciate that.”

Hinojosa called for all Democrats to come together in November and support him in the election against Republican Chuck Schultz.

“I would like to ask all Democrats to unite as one in November and help get me elected so that I can begin serving the people of Precinct 2,” Hinojosa said.

Carmen Cortez won out over incumbent Mario A. Delgado, 304 to 290 votes, for Precinct 2 justice of the peace. There is no Republican challenger.

“I am overwhelmed and so thankful at the amount of people who went out to vote despite the rain and bad weather,” Cortez said.

“I am excited and ready to serve as a full-time justice of the peace for the people of Precinct 2, and I know I have a lot to learn, but I am willing to get to work as soon as possible so I can serve to the best of my ability.”

Cortez said she would like to thank her opponent for a clean race and says she considers him her friend.

“I have so much respect for Mr. Delgado; whenever I see him we shake hands and we say hello; he has done a good job in this position for many years, and I am honored to be given the chance to continue in his place,” Cortez said.

Cortez said she is already thinking of what she wants to do when she takes office January 1.

“I want to visit other JP offices in the area and see how they operate. It’s not going to be easy, but I am excited to learn and eager to serve and help the people of Precinct 2 because that is what is most important,” Cortez said.

Results on the Kleberg County ballot are as follows:

Democratic

District Clerk: Crystal Lomas-888; Melissa Ruiz Salinas-955

County Commissioner Precinct No. 2: Joe G. Hinojosa-341; Norma Nelda Alvarez-265

Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 2: Mario A. Delgado-290; Carmen Cortez-304

Republican

United States Representative, District 27: James Duerr-240; R. Blake Farenthold-103