Charles Jones Jr. and Mitchell Congress looked like two worn prizefighters moments after a grueling championship bout.

The prize – the Demopolis District 2 City Council seat – hung in the balance, and neither man was able to score a knockout victory. Instead, the two will face a runoff election Oct. 7.

“We both worked really hard,” said Jones, who wants to represent the district his father currently serves. Jones took the most votes, 183 to Congress’ 148.

But Alex J. Roberson also took his share of the ballot, pulling down 105 votes. That created the scenario for the runoff.

“I’ll just have to get back out there and work harder,” Jones said.

Congress and Jones could share a laugh – after all, the two are still in the running for the seat. But after the numbers were tallied, it was back to the drawing board for both candidates as they try to draw a majority of voters from District 2.

In District 4, Bill Meador won in a landslide against newcomer Jeremiah Dial, 479-72.

“I am extremely thankful of the support I received from the people in District 4,” Meador said. “I’m looking forward to serving the city, and I want to make sure to thank my wife, Catherine, for all her hard work.”

In District I, incumbent Thomas Moore easily turned aside the challenge of Dexter Jones, 277 to 127.

“I am grateful to have another opportunity to serve the citizens of Demopolis again,” Moore said. “I appreciate the trust that the voters of District 1 put in me.”

District 3 incumbent Melvin Yelverton was worried about challenger Ronnie Byrd. He shouldn’t have been. Yelverton swept past Byrd, 195 to 115.

“I’ve been scared to death,” Yelverton said. “I don’t know why. But I’m excited to be re-elected, and I’m looking forward to continuing our work on the city council.”

District 5 Councilman Jack Cooley was elected by acclimation of the city council after no one challenged for his seat during qualifying.