As Selma City Clerk Ivy Harrison read out the voting totals from each of the 17 polling places, it quickly became clear the race for Selma City Council president would have a lopsided result.

In the end, Corey Bowie was elected the next council president by a wide margin, defeating his opponent Tremayne “Toby” Gorden by nearly 800 votes.

“I am elated at this victory, this hard fought victory. First of all, we have to thank God, and thank the community for investing in the progress of Selma,” Bowie said. “Thank you Selma for this long-term investment in electing me. I look forward to a successful, productive and progressive four years.”

Bowie’s successful election wraps up a trend in this election cycle where every incumbent who sought re-election, or those who were in elected office, seeking another office, were victorious.

Bowie, who has served Ward 8 on the Selma City Council, will now move to president, replacing Cecil Williamson. Williamson will return to represent Ward 1 on the Selma City Council.

Michael Johnson was elected on Aug. 28 to represent Ward 8.

Each of the newly elected, or those re-elected, will take office the first Tuesday in November.

“I look forward to working the rest of the council, along with the mayor, to continue to move this city forward,” Bowie said. “One thing I look forward to in the upcoming four years, is taking the progress we have made these past four years and taking it to a higher level.”

Although Bowie claimed a decisive victory in the total number of votes, he did fail to carry the most votes in nine of the 17 boxes. But, of those boxes he did win, he did so in sizeable fashion, while holding close on those he failed to win.

“When you are running for council president, you have to represent all the voters, trying to represent all the voices of Selma,” Bowie said. “I campaigned throughout the city, trying to show residents that I am here to represent everyone, not just those who voted for me.”

When Bowie takes over as council president, he will have a big role in deciding council policies as well as committee assignments.

“I’ve already been reviewing some policies that I want to implement, change, but I cannot do it alone,” Bowie said, declining to mention specific policies he’d like to change. “I will work with the rest of the council to review these policies and seek their help in making some changes.”

The final vote tally Tuesday was 2,705 votes for Bowie, while Gorden earned 1,916 votes.

The results from Tuesday’s election will be canvassed — or approved — next Tuesday by the city council.