Bennett received 395 votes to Turner’s 387, a margin of eight votes out of 782 cast in the race. The results do not include provisional ballots, which will be tabulated by the county canvassing board at noon on May 26 under state law. The results remain unofficial until that canvass is complete.
Turner was appointed to his seat on the Perry County Commission after his father’s death in 2000 and has served multiple terms as commission chairman.
Turner has been a polarizing figure in Perry County politics throughout his tenure. He challenged U.S. Rep. Artur Davis in the 2004 Democratic primary for Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, losing decisively. In 2023, he was indicted on felony and misdemeanor voter fraud charges stemming from the 2022 elections; the case was later dismissed. The Perry County landfill, which Turner has long cited as one of his chief accomplishments, has drawn renewed scrutiny during this campaign.
A loss, if the results hold after provisional ballots are counted, would end more than a quarter century on the commission for Turner.
Bennett, a Marion resident, has chaired Perry County’s Airport and Industrial Authority and led the Main Street Marion revitalization program, as well as serving on the Board of Trustees of Marion Military Institute.
In a statement posted to social media Tuesday night, Bennett struck a conciliatory tone.
“I know what you are trusting me with,” Bennett said. “You are trusting me with your roads, your safety, your tax dollars, and your future. I do not take that lightly.”
Bennett also addressed voters who supported Turner.
“To those who voted for someone else, I respect that,” he said. “Democracy works because people make choices. My job now is to serve you just as faithfully as anyone who voted for me.”
Turner had not released a statement or conceded the race as of press time.
In the District 2 Democratic primary, incumbent Commissioner Tony Long defeated challenger Ernest L. Donaldson, 333 votes to 203, out of 536 total votes cast.
On the Republican side, incumbent Commissioner Brett Harrison held off Katie Crocker Burks in the District 3 race, 187 to 142, out of 329 total votes. Democrat Donald Nichols qualified without opposition in District 3. Harrison and Nichols will face each other in the November 3 general election. The Democratic nominees in Districts 1 and 2 are unopposed in November.
Sheriff Roy Fikes won the Democratic nomination with 2,224 votes to Robert “Tony” Sykes’ 483, out of 2,707 cast. Incumbent Board of Education member Vera Davis held her District 5 seat, defeating Tiffanie Lewis 454 to 229, out of 683 cast. Revenue Commissioner Arthurita Kynard Smith and Coroner Edward Terrell Jones were unopposed on the Democratic ballot.
In the Democratic gubernatorial primary, former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones received 1,931 votes in Perry County, or 73.67 percent of 2,621 cast. Jamel J. Brown received 274, Will Boyd 205, Yolanda Rochelle Flowers 115, Chad “Chig” Martin 62 and Nathan “Nate” Mathis 34. On the Republican side, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville received 403 of 431 votes cast, or 93.50 percent, with Ken McFeeters receiving 18 and “Alabama” Will Santivasci 10.
In the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, Everett Wess won outright with 1,200 votes, or 56.21 percent of 2,135 cast. Dakarai Larriett received 381, Mark S. Wheeler II 332 and Kyle Sweetser 222. In the Republican U.S. Senate primary, U.S. Rep. Barry Moore led with 177 votes, or 42.75 percent of 414 cast, but fell short of a majority and will face Attorney General Steve Marshall, who received 127 votes, in a June 16 runoff. Jared Hudson received 81, Seth Burton 14, Rodney Walker 8, Dale Shelton Deas Jr. 5 and Morgan Murphy 2.
Democrat Phillip Ensler won the lieutenant governor primary with 1,348 votes to Darryl D. Perryman’s 857, out of 2,205 cast. Republican Secretary of State Wes Allen led the GOP lieutenant governor field with 224 votes, or 54.24 percent of 413 cast. John Wahl received 119, Rick Pate 38, Nicole Jones Wadsworth 12, Pat Bishop 10, Stewart Hill Tankersley 7 and George Childress 3.
In the Republican attorney general race, Katherine Robertson received 221 votes, or 54.57 percent of 405 cast. Jay Mitchell received 111 and Pamela L. Casey 73. Republican Caroleene Dobson won the secretary of state primary with 283 votes, or 74.08 percent of 382 cast, over Christopher Christian Horn with 71 and Glenda S. Jackson with 28. Young Boozer won the Republican state treasurer primary with 277 votes to Steve Lolley’s 108, out of 385 cast. Andrew Sorrell won the Republican state auditor race with 211 votes to Derek Chen’s 173, out of 384 cast.
In the Republican commissioner of agriculture and industries race, Corey Hill led with 170 votes, or 44.50 percent of 382 cast, followed by Christina Woerner McInnis with 120 and Jack Williams with 92. That race is headed to a June 16 runoff.
For Public Service Commission Place 1, Democrat James O. Gordon received 1,424 votes, or 67.36 percent of 2,114 cast, with Jeff Ramsey receiving 454 and John Northrop 236. Republican Matt Gentry won with 287 votes to incumbent Jeremy H. Oden’s 88, out of 375 cast. For Public Service Commission Place 2 on the Republican side, Jim Zig Zeigler led with 184 votes, or 48.29 percent of 381 cast, followed by Chris Beeker with 116, Brent Woodall with 64 and Priscilla Andrews with 17. That race is also headed to a runoff.
Perry County voters approved both proposed statewide constitutional amendments. Amendment 1 passed with 2,044 yes votes to 793 no votes, or 72.05 percent, out of 2,837 cast. Amendment 2 passed with 1,997 yes votes to 789 no votes, or 71.68 percent, out of 2,786 cast.
Turnout countywide was 43.79 percent, with 3,216 of 7,344 registered voters casting ballots.
Any runoff elections will be held June 16. The general election is Nov. 3.
Donald J. Bennett
Albert Turner, Jr.
