By By Lisa Tindell and Adam Prestridge
Montgomery politicians will be seeing a new face soon as the representation for District 66 changes hands.
In a final tally of votes in Escambia County, incumbent F.P. &#8220Skippy” White had a slight lead over challenger Alan Baker. Total votes in Escambia County found White ahead by a vote of 3616 to Bakers 3350.
But with some 26.5 percent of the voters who could choose a representative for the district falling in Baldwin County, the difference came late in the evening.
Baldwin County favored Baker by enough of a margin to allow him to claim a victory. The total votes cast in both counties for Baker were 5,007, while 4,419 voters pulled the lever for White.
By a margin of 322 votes across the district, Baker was the apparent winner in the race.
In an early acceptance speech Tuesday night, Baker expressed excitement over the opportunity he has been handed by the voters.
As of 10:15 p.m. Tuesday night, with only two Baldwin County boxes uncounted, incumbent F.P. &#8220Skippy” White said it would be hard for him to make up the deficit, but he was not willing to concede.
In referring to the campaign, Baker said he had no regrets with the way his campaign was run.
Throughout the evening Baker expressed thanks to those in attendance at the election headquarters set up at The Ritz in downtown Brewton. Among an array of balloons, patriotic centerpieces, family members and friends were there to cheer on their favorite candidate.
Molly Ruzic, Baker's niece, and Paula Gerety worked most of the evening manning the phones and the tote boards that kept well-wishers on hand up to date with the late election results.
Also on hand for the evening's festivities and the grand finale of victory, was Baker's mother, Mary Ann Baker.
Baxter Baker, the candidate's brother, was also on hand for the event and was in great spirits throughout the evening.
White decided to listen for the results of the race from his home in Pollard. He expressed his gratitude to those he has served over the years.
Baker will assume his post in Montgomery after he is sworn into office in January 2007.