GROVES — A replacement has been named for ousted Ward 1 councilmember Cross Coburn but the vote wasn’t unanimous.

Chris Borne, 39, was approved for the spot in a 3-to-1 vote with Councilmember Karen Theis casting the dissenting vote. Councilmember Kyle Hollier made the motion nominating Borne, which was seconded by Councilmember Sidney Badon. Mayor Brad Bailey cast the other vote in favor of Borne.

Before the vote was taken, Bailey told councilmembers six letters were submitted from Ward 1 residents who were interested in the seat. They included Holly Horton, Chris Borne and his wife Jeska Borne.

Theis made a motion for Horton to be named to the seat, which died for lack of a second.

In a conversation with The Port Arthur News, Borne said he has always been interested in being on the City Council but until recently had other obligations. An electrician, Borne has served on the executive council for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers No. 479.

Borne will serve the remainder of Coburn’s unexpired term, which is a little less than a year. The Ward 1 seat will be up for election in 2019 as will the Ward 3 seat.

Councilmembers were initially set to name a replacement for Coburn during the Nov. 15 meeting but opted to wait until the next regularly scheduled meeting because the city had received some last-minute letters from people wishing to be considered for the position.

Coburn was the subject of a recall election Nov. 6 after nude photos were sent to City Hall and the local news media that he had shared privately with another person he met on Grindr, a gay dating app.

Voters cast 2,071 ballots or 64.54 percent in favor of recalling Coburn while there were 1,138 votes or 35.46 ballots against the recall.