Darrell Black

Runoff for the Baldwin-Putnam House Seat 11.4.2009

by Bernard O'Connel

13 WMAZ

Rusty Kidd has landed in a December 1 runoff for the House District 141 seat from Baldwin and Putnam counties. It's not certain who Kidd's runoff opponent will be.

With all but military ballots counted, Kidd had 2,433 votes, 44 percent; Darrell Black had 1,286, 23.3 percent; Angie Gheesling-McCommon had 1,270 votes or 23.0 percent; and Casey Tucker had 524, 9.5 percent.

It appeared that Darrell Black had squeaked into the runoff, 16 votes ahead of Gheesling-McCommon. But election officials said any military ballots that arrive by Friday are eligible to be counted.

Also, under state law, a candidate can request a recount if the margin of victory is less than 1 percent of the votes cast. Gheesling-McCommon did not return phone calls from 13WMAZ Tuesday night.

Bobby Parham held the District 141 seat for more than 30 years, but resigned in the spring to take a spot on the State Transportation Board.

Whoever wins this race will serve through the end of Parham's original term next year, when another election will be held.