CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Ricardo "Rick" De La Fuente took advantage of a huge margin in Corpus Christi to apparently claim a victory over local businessman Charlie Jackson for the Democratic bid for U.S. Rep. District 27.

It will earn De La Fuente a berth in the November election against incumbent Republican Michael Cloud. The winner of that race will serve the Coastal Bend area, up to Bastrop County near Austin and over to Wharton County near Houston.

With 99 of 254 precincts reporting, De La Fuente had polled 1,133 votes for 52 percent of the vote, compared to 1,061 votes and 48 percent for Jackson.

"It's not looking good for us now. I think it's more about not being able to get our name out there and not being able to touch all the voters in the district."

De La Fuente listed a Victoria residence but turned up in several internet searches as also running for California Congressional District 21 in this year's primary.

"First of all, they need to find out if the guy representing them lives in San Diego," Jackson said Tuesday night,

De La Fuente was following in the footsteps of his father, Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente Guerra, who was on the ballot in nin state' primaries for the U.S. Senate, all of which he lost.

But it appeared to matter little to local voters, who staked him to an early lead he was able to maintain throughout the entire balloting on Tuesday.

Jackson was born in Port Arthur and earned a bachelor's degree in government from the University of Texas in 1983 and a master's degree in technology commercialization from the University of Texas in 1998.

His professional career includes experience as a businessman, executive entrepreneur and economic development professional.

Most recently, Jackson, 62, has managed IT projects for international companies including Dell, IBM, Ford and Philips, and launched his own startup businesses. He currently runs a consulting practice and spends time traveling throughout Texas from his home base in Corpus Christi.

