City Council voted 7–2 to appoint former councilmember Michael Hunter as the new Port Commissioner for Corpus Christi.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas —  In a City Council vote today, Michael Hunter was selected as the newest Port Commissioner representing the City of Corpus Christi.

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Councilmembers voted 7-to-2 in favor of Hunter’s appointment. Only Mayor Paulette Guajardo and Councilmember Sylvia Campos cast votes for other candidates, clearing the way for Hunter to take the position on the Port of Corpus Christi Commission.

Hunter, a former Corpus Christi City Council member and previous mayoral candidate, will now serve on the influential board that helps guide policy and development for one of the largest port complexes in the nation.

Leaders at this year’s State of the Port address highlighted a year of economic growth at the Port of Corpus Christi and laid out a vision for continued expansion that could shape the Coastal Bend’s economy for decades. With the deepening of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel completed in June and the new Harbor Bridge nearing completion, port officials say the region is positioned for expanded energy exports and potential new shipping markets, including container shipping.

Port CEO Kent Britton said increased pipeline capacity and infrastructure investment will be critical to sustaining growth, while local business leaders emphasized the importance of diversifying port operations beyond energy. United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Al Arreola Jr. said continued expansion will help drive economic growth across the region, but stressed the need for long-term planning — particularly when it comes to infrastructure and water supply — as port activity and population growth continue to accelerate.

Ongoing capital projects such as channel deepening, dock expansion, and private terminal development have helped position Corpus Christi as one of the fastest-growing energy export hubs in the country. 

This decision marks a new chapter for Hunter’s involvement in local governance following his time on City Council and his recent mayoral run.