Donald J. Bennett has defeated longtime Perry County Commissioner Albert Turner Jr. by a single vote after the Perry County canvassing board certified the results of the May 19 Democratic primary on Tuesday.
The canvassing board, composed of Probate Judge Carlton Hogue, Sheriff Roy Fikes, and Circuit Clerk Mia Turner, met alongside members of the Perry County Board of Registrars at noon to review 24 provisional ballots. The process lasted approximately one hour.
The final certified totals were 398 votes for Bennett and 397 for Turner. Bennett had led by eight votes on election night, 395 to 387, but Turner gained 10 provisional votes compared to Bennett’s three, narrowing the margin to a single vote out of 805 ballots cast.
Before announcing the results, Hogue asked those gathered in the courtroom to refrain from outbursts. Brief applause followed the announcement of the District 1 totals.
Following certification of the results, the two candidates shook hands briefly in the upstairs courtroom of the Perry County Courthouse, bringing a hard-fought campaign to a close.
Turner, the son of civil rights leader Albert Turner Sr., who helped organize the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march, was appointed to the commission in 2000 after his father’s death and subsequently won reelection four times. He also served multiple terms as commission chairman and remains president of the Perry County Civic League, one of the county’s most influential political organizations.
Throughout his tenure, Turner remained a prominent and often controversial figure in Perry County politics. He unsuccessfully challenged U.S. Rep. Artur Davis in the 2004 Democratic primary for Alabama’s 7th Congressional District. In 2023, he was indicted on voter fraud charges related to the 2022 elections, though those charges were later dismissed. During the recent campaign, the Uniontown landfill and the proposed Atlas Complex pharmaceutical campus planned for the former Judson College site became major points of discussion, with both candidates highlighting their involvement in economic development efforts.
Bennett, a Marion resident, has served as chairman of the Perry County Airport and Industrial Development Authority and previously led the Main Street Marion revitalization initiative.
After the canvass, Bennett discussed plans to continue pursuing economic development opportunities, improving infrastructure in both rural areas and downtown communities, and strengthening partnerships with neighboring counties.
In a statement posted to social media, Bennett emphasized that the campaign was focused on the county’s future rather than personal differences.
“The contrast in this race was not personal,” Bennett said. “It was about direction. And the people of District 1, and Perry County as a whole, have spoken clearly about the direction they want to go.”
He also called for unity among county residents, business owners, faith leaders, and community organizations as Perry County works toward attracting investment, improving infrastructure, and expanding tourism opportunities.
Following the canvass, Turner addressed local media before departing the courthouse.
“Every vote counted. We should always participate in the electoral process, even when it’s difficult,” Turner said. “I congratulate Mr. Bennett on his one point victory, and we’ll see what the end is going to be.”
In the days between the election and the canvass, Turner raised concerns regarding the administration of the election, alleging that some voters may have received incorrect ballots and questioning whether voting machine malfunctions affected vote totals.
Under Alabama law, any contest of a primary nomination for county office must be filed with the chair of the county Democratic Executive Committee within 24 hours of the canvass.
Because no Republican candidate qualified for the District 1 seat, the Democratic nominee will effectively secure the office and take the seat following the general election.
The provisional ballot review also added votes to several other local races without altering any outcomes. In the sheriff’s race, Roy Fikes received 19 provisional votes compared to eight for Robert “Tony” Sykes, further expanding his lead. In the District 2 commission race, Ernest L. Donaldson gained three provisional votes while Tony Long received one, though Long remained the winner. In the Board of Education District 5 contest, Tiffanie Lewis gained one provisional vote, but incumbent Vera Davis retained her victory.
