SELMA — Newly elected Ward 1 Councilman Tommy Atchison says he has a lot to learn in the two weeks before he is officially sworn into the position.

And, said Atchison, he has learned a lot about his ward from pounding the pavement, asking for votes that saw him elected Tuesday. Atchison defeated John Jowers 636 votes or 97.7 percent to 15 votes or 2.3 percent. A total of 651 of about 2,200 registered voters cast their ballots at the polls Tuesday.

“I’m very excited and just humbled,” Atchison said in a telephone interview after the election results became final. “I have a lot of learning to do as far as Ward 1. I’m ready to learn it and get about the business of the city.”

Atchison said he would meet with council President Cecil Williamson this week to go over some details about serving on the council. Williamson is expected to appoint council committees soon.

This was Atchison’s first political race. He is an attorney with Gamble, Gamble & Calame LLC in Selma.

Atchison fills the seat vacated by Williamson’s ascension to the office of president of the city council. Two years ago, Williamson was elected as Ward 1 representative. The council later voted him president pro-tem of the council, which meant he would serve the unexpired term of the president of the council, if something should happen.

Geraldine Allen was elected president of the council in a citywide vote two years ago. She died earlier this year, which saw Williamson take that vacated seat.

At one point, the council could have appointed someone to fill the Ward 1 vacancy. Jowers had advocated that position. He had suggested the council appoint him.

However, a majority of the council decided to take no action, allow 60 days to pass after which an election would be held to fill the vacated slot.

As election returns rolled in from the two polling places Tuesday night, Jowers shook Williamson’s hand and said, “You wanted the election; you got it, but I tried to have you appoint me.”

Shortly after the final tallies were announced, Jowers left City Hall without a comment. He could not be reached later by telephone at his home.

Atchison took a commanding lead in the race in both boxes. He won the precinct at Memorial Stadium, 273 votes to 3 for Jowers. Atchison took the Old National Guard Armory, 350 votes to 10 for Jowers. Of the 15 absentee ballots cast, Atchison received 13 and Jowers 2 votes.

Atchison said he wants to work with other council members, realizing that as each ward grows stronger so does the entire city, but only if the council works as a cohesive unit.

Atchison said he sees myriad opportunities for retail growth in Ward 1. “We are so capable of handling so much retail and it would be so convenient to all the people who live here,” he said. “This is something we can look into.”

The city council will meet Tuesday, Oct. 5, at noon to certify the election, city attorney Jimmy Nunn said. Once the election is certified, Atchison may be sworn into office.