U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, was the first countywide elected Republican in Williamson County when he was elected district judge in 1982.

After a decisive victory Tuesday against Democrat Jon Porter in the 31st Congressional District race, Carter now will be the first Republican congressman to represent some parts of the district, including Bell County. With 106 precincts out of 231 reported, Carter led with 65 percent, or 137,815 votes, compared to Porter