By Billy Davis

Panola County Supervisor Vernice Avant fended off a strong challenge from William Pride to win Tuesday’s run-off election.

Avant beat Pride 769 to 628, a difference of 141 votes, according to unofficial election totals.

The win keeps the incumbent in the District 2 seat formerly held by her husband, Robert.

Avant and Pride entered the runoff after the supervisor finished strong in a November 3 special election but failed to hit the coveted 50 percent-plus one mark.

Avant finished Tuesday’s runoff with 55 with percent of the 1,398 votes cast. Pride finished with 44 percent.

The election results, which include 162 absentee ballots, came from six precincts in Panola County’s District 2.

Look in Friday’s issue of The Panolian for more coverage of the District 2 run-off election.