Rex Cleckler narrowly defeated Tom Powers to win the Chilton County Tax Assessor’s race last night.

The unofficial results were 8,340 for Cleckler and 7,725 for Powers. The race was tight all night even though Cleckler won 11 of the 19 precincts in Chilton County.

It came down to the absentee ballots, which took until 9:30 p.m. for the results to be posted. Cleckler won that precinct 505-369.

Cleckler said he is relieved at the results.

“I’m glad the people of Chilton County chose me, and I am humbled by this vote,” he said last night. “It’s an opportunity, and I will do the best I can to serve the people of Chilton County.”

Powers said he will continue to do his job until his term ends in September 2009.

“I will continue to serve the people of Chilton County,” Powers said. “I will work with Rex in the transition.”

Powers narrowly carried many of the northern precincts, but the key precinct for Cleckler was the Veterans Club where he won 852-287.

Tim Little was unopposed for the tax collector’s position.