Perry County has a new commissioner for District 1 for the first time in 26 years.
By a very thin margin of 50.51%, challenger Donald Bennett beat longtime commissioner Albert Turner Jr. for the District 1 seat in the May 19 primary election.
Turner was first appointed to the commission seat to replace his father, civil rights activist Albert Turner Sr., after he passed away in April 2000. Turner has won every election since until Tuesday when he got 49.49% of the vote.
Turner has not yet made a statement.
Bennett holds several prominent positions in Perry County, including director of Main Street Marion and chairman of the Vaiden Field Airport Authority.
In a social media post, Bennett said: “Perry County, we’ve got work to do. We can make it happen. We need this. We’re going to come together and work together. This is a County Commission that is going to work on results and provide those results. The city involved – all the support; We have a regional agenda to make sure we’re working hard for people of Perry County.”
He also posted this comment on Facebook:
"Thank you Perry County, Tonight is about you. The people of District 1. The people of Perry County.
First, all honor and glory goes to God. I have prayed over this race, and I have trusted Him with the outcome. Tonight, I simply say thank You, Lord.
To Donna, my wife, my best friend, my partner in everything. You have believed in me longer than anyone. I love you.
To my family, my church family, and every person who prayed for this campaign, I felt every one of those prayers. Thank you.
My campaign team is an exceptional team. The accomplishment was a team effort and would not have possible without their hard work.
I want to say something to the voters of District 1, and I mean this from the bottom of my heart: I know what you are trusting me with. You are trusting me with your roads, your safety, your tax dollars, and your future.
I do not take that lightly. Not for one day.
I am not coming into this office with all the answers. But I am coming in with a listening ear, a willing spirit, and a track record of getting things done, not for credit, but for this community.
To those who voted for someone else, I respect that. Democracy works because people make choices. My job now is to serve you just as faithfully as anyone who voted for me. I hope to earn your trust over time.
I am grateful. I am ready. And I will not let you down.
Thank you and God bless Perry County."
For Perry County Commission District 2, Tony Long won the seat with 62%, beating Ernest L. Donaldson, who got 37%.
District 3 Commissioner is Republican winner Brett Harrison, who got 56% against Katie Crocker Burkes at 43%.
Perry County Sheriff winner is Roy Fikes, who got 82% and beat Robert “Tony” Sykes who got 17%.
Perry County Board of Education's District 5 seat went to Vera Davis who got 66% of the vote against Tiffanie Lewis at 33%.
Cindy Fisher is Publisher of the Black Belt News Network and Selma Sun. You can reach her by emailing cfisher@blackbeltnewsnetwork.com.
Want to write for the Black Belt News Network? Send a resume or stories to news@blackbeltnewsnetwork.com.
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