After eight years on the sidelines, Greg White is getting his old job back.

White defeated incumbent Bill Godwin in the race for chairman of the Covington County Commission. White received 58 percent of the votes cast, while Godwin got 42 percent.

White was first appointed chairman by then-Gov. Fob James in 1995. He was elected three successive times, serving a total of 13 and a half years as chairman. White lost his bid for reelection in 2008, and did not seek the office in 2012.

“I am thrilled and excited,” White said. “I look forward to getting to work in about six months, and hope to work with the current administration to make a smart transition.”

He said his top priority will be creating new job opportunities.

Godwin, who is serving his first term as chairman and previously served as a member of the county board of education, expressed his thanks to supporters.

“I’d like to thank my supporters,” he said. “We worked hard, but the effort just not good enough. Always in a contest like this, somebody wins and somebody loses.”

Godwin said he is disappointed he will not be able to complete some of the reforms he has started at the county, but he hopes to accomplish more in the remaining eight months he has in office.

“I’m going to try to get legislation introduced to change voting by district in county commission,” he said. At present, a commission candidate must live in the district he represents, but candidates are elected county-wide.

“My next priority is to levelize the use tax and sales taxes,” he said.

Godwin also said he has enjoyed his time working for people of Covington County, and hopes to find other ways to contribute to the county.