The only decision Covington County voters made decisively yesterday was in their election of Ben Bowden as probate judge.

Bowden, who was appointed to the post in the fall of 2008, received 65 percent of the votes cast in the probate race, outpolling challenger Lee Enzor 5,248 to 2,331 votes.

In a day in which races were decided by as few as 55 votes, Bowden had one word to describe how he felt about the outcome: Relieved.

“We’ve constantly been working toward goals in the probate office,” Bowden said. “I can’t say enough about the probate staff. Any success we’ve had is their success. Now it’s time to go back to work.”

Bowden said people responded to the work being done in the probate office.

“I am overwhelmed,” he said, adding that he’d like to thank his family for their support.

Enzor served as special probate judge during an interim period in 2008 after Sherrie Phillips left office and before the Gov. Bob Riley made the permanent appointment. Enzor was appointed by then-Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb.

“The Supreme Court appointed one probate judge in 2008, and the governor appointed a different one,” Enzor said. “I offered myself as a candidate because I wanted the people to appoint.”

He expressed his appreciation for family and friends and said running for office is quite an experience.

“Judge Ben Bowden got a decisive victory,” Enzor said. “The people spoke. I’d like to congratulate him on his win.”