CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — An interim Nueces County district attorney was announced by Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday to replace Mark Gonzalez, who announced his resignation in September.
James "Jimmy" Granberry is a defense lawyer with experience in the Nueces County DA's office. He was an ADA there from 1990-94.
"I'm flattered beyond belief," he said after he was sworn in Friday morning at the courthouse. "I'm honored with the trust and the support that I've gotten has been amazing. I'm very happy with it."
The appointment took about five weeks.
Granberry said he was recruited and by people he respects and trusts, and "if I didn't want my arm broken, I had to go along with it."
"I've always wanted to work with young lawyers and mentor, and I've done some of that in private practice," he said. "But I started as a prosecutor in 1990. I'd like to finish out my career doing the same thing and training good prosecutors."
He said that even though taking the job wasn't originally his idea, he plans to run to hold onto the seat after his appointment expires in 2024.
Gonzalez informed his staff of his decision to leave the office Sept. 5, after posting a campaign announcement on Facebook stating his intention to run against Ted Cruz for one of Texas' two U.S. Senate seats.
When he spoke with 3NEWS at the time, Gonzalez said leaving the DA's office wasn't a move he wanted to make, but that he has felt increasingly under attack on different levels, including by the new power state lawmakers gave Abbott allowing him to remove district attorneys from office if they refuse to prosecute people who get abortions.
"That's a real attack on democracy," he said. "I just don't want to be a pawn in that game. Whether they are they are trying to send a message to other DAs throughout Texas or anything like that. So, I'm choosing to leave on my own terms."
Shortly after, 30 of 35 Nueces County Republican Party precinct chairs voted to endorse former Nueces County ADA and current San Patricio County ADA James Sales.
Then, on Sept. 12, Nueces County First ADA Angelica Hernandez gave Nueces County Judge Connie Scott her resignation. Her last day was Sept. 22.
"It was very much a surprise," Scott said at the time. "I know there is a lot going on. We are waiting for the governor to fill that vacant spot before the next election. So I can understand and sympathize with the situation she is in as well."
Multiskilled journalists Michael Gibson and Bill Churchwell contributed to this developing story. Check back with 3NEWS for updates.