Lauderdale County will have a new tax assessor next year.
Two-term incumbent Jimmy Slay was defeated in Tuesday's Republican runoff election by challenger James Rainey.
Wednesday, Slay thanked the voters, and wished Rainey good luck.
"The people spoke, and that's the beauty of this country," said Slay. "We have the freedom to vote, and that's what took place."
There are no Democrats or independents running in the tax assessor's race. Rainey will take office in January.
Updated: 05/25/2013 - Two members of the Meridian City Council were ousted in Democratic Primary runoffs.