In one of the county’s closest races, Montevallo mayoral candidates Ben McCrory and Steve Sears will go head-to-head in a runoff.

Unofficial results show McCrory tallied 317 votes to Sears’ 311. Roger Wheeler received 221 votes.

“We ran a hard race, and we feel highly confident,” said McCrory, 71. “We’ll hit the ground running in the morning, working to get a better turnout.”

McCrory is currently president of the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce. He said he wants to continue to work he started there in City Hall.

“I want to keep that going, keep doing the same things,” said McCrory, who thanked his campaign committee for their help. “I have a businessman’s approach to the city.”

Sears, 56, practices law on Main Street and is also a former president of the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce.

“I would have loved to win outright, but I think victory is within reach,” said Sears. “I ask my supporters to come out one more time for me.”

Sears said he wants to work to make government more transparent and control growth.

“I don’t plan to change my message or platform for the runoff … I just want to communicate it to the voters more fully.”

In city council races:

District 1: Patrick Draper received 163 votes and will meet Rusty Nix, who earned 131, in a runoff.

District 2: Incumbent Willie Goldsmith ran unopposed.

District 3: Incumbent Greg Pendleton ran unopposed.

District 4: Hollie Cost defeated Randall Scott, 95 to 36.

District 5: Political newcomer Dee Woodham ran without opposition.