Russell Bedsole has apparently won the special Republican primary runoff in Alabama House District 49, which occurred on Tuesday in parts of Shelby, Chilton and Bibb Counties.

Unofficial results show Bedsole beating Mimi Penhale by 66 votes, and Bedsole has declared victory on social media.

The seat was vacated by the resignation of State Rep. April Weaver (R-Brierfield), who left the Alabama House of Representatives to join the Trump administration.

Turnout in the GOP primary was reportedly 8.17%, which was almost the same as in the primary itself.

Provisional ballots will be counted on September 8, and certification of votes will occur on September 16.

“The Alabama Republican Party thanks each of the candidates that qualified for offering themselves up for service in the Alabama State House of Representatives,” the ALGOP stated on Tuesday night.

Bedsole is a longtime deputy sheriff in Shelby County and an Alabaster city councilor. He will face Democrat Cheryl Patton in a November 17 special general election.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn