BAY CITY - Matagorda County has a new sheriff who is so well-known that just one name suffices - "Skipper."

Republican Frank "Skipper" Osborne stole the win for sheriff Tuesday night from Democratic challenger Aaron Green.

"I'm happy and relieved that it is over with," Osborne said. "It's a lot of fun campaigning, and you meet so many different people. But it takes you away from your family."

Osborne, 66, the Matagorda County Veterans Service officer, said his experience as a jailer, street deputy, jail supervisor and chief deputy at the sheriff's office will give him an advantage when he takes office Jan. 1. He has even helped with the sheriff's office budgets in the past.

When Osborne takes office, he plans to have a resident deputy program in the communities of Matagorda and Sargent to give residents the protection they need. He also plans to get the police chiefs of each city to begin a coalition to start a countywide drug task force.

Another issue he is ready to attack is bridging the gap between inmates and beds. The jail has 192 beds, but the county has been averaging about 120 inmates. Osborne hopes to get more criminals off the street and fill these beds, bringing in more revenue.

Despite the win, Osborne gave all his best wishes to Green, who did not trail far behind.

The victory was bittersweet, said Osborne, because the two candidates have known each other for more than 35 years.

"He ran a very clean, fine race; and we've been friends for more than 35 years; and we will still be friends," Osborne said. "In the end, one of us had to win, and one of us had to lose."

• MATAGORDA COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS

  Matagorda County experienced issues with machines and mail in ballots that caused delays in local election results Tuesday night. Early vote totals became available about 9:30 p.m. and final numbers were finally made available minutes before midnight.

  Matagorda County Election Results:

  County Attorney

  Denise Fortenberry 7,382

  Matthew Hardy Sloan 4,437

  County Sheriff

  Skipper Osborne 6,786

  Aaron Green 5,166

  Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4

  Mark Finlay 1,712

  Paul Law Piwonka 940

  Navigation District No.1 Commissioner Position 2

  Greg Seaman 808

  Barney F. Gulley 243

  Phil Richman 349

  Tidehaven ISD Trustee

  Lee Pierce 858

  Robbie Galvan 716

  Joe Lucio Jr. 666

  Stuart Lynn 779

  Van Vleck ISD Position 6

  Terry Blackmon 814

  Kurtis Brown 717

  Van Vleck ISD Position 7

  Jesse Austin 800

  Randy Wied 729