In a contest that was at one time as close as seven votes, Amy Jones defeated Stephanie Cotton to become Covington County’s next circuit clerk.

Jones came in with 4,175 votes to Cotton’s 3,928, receiving 52 percent of the vote to Cotton’s received 48 percent.

Jones will replace current circuit clerk Roger Powell, who is retiring when his term ends at the end of this year.

“I’m so honored,” Jones said. “I want to just thank my family and friends for helping throughout the race.”

Jones commended Cotton on a “clean campaign.”

“I want to commend Stephanie and her supporters for the fine way they ran their campaign,” she said. “I count Stephanie as my friend and look forward to working with her and the residents of Covington County.”

Jones worked as a staff attorney for the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals for 19 years, and currently practices law locally.