By Alabama Public Radio
Huntsville, AL – Runoff elections were held in cities across the state Tuesday. Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer was among the few incumbents to win re-election. She fought off challenger Parker Griffith to win her third term as mayor. In Hoover, former state lawmaker Tony Petelos won a runoff against Jody Patterson. In Tuskegee, a familiar face won -- but it wasn't the incumbent. State Representative Johnny Ford had served 24 years as mayor before losing in 1996. He defeated incumbent Mayor Lucenia Dunn. Incumbents also lost in Decatur, Andalusia and Alexander City. Alex City voters chose the city's first female mayor, Barbara Young. Voters in Lanett also elected Oscar Crawley to be the city's first black mayor. And in Harpersville, Theoangelo Perkins became the first black mayor of any Shelby County city.