Randy Fuller will be Shelby County&8217;s next school superintendent after defeating Tom Ferguson in a run-off election on July 18.

With more than 99 percent of boxes counted, Fuller won by 840 ballots.

Fuller earned 6,645 votes (53 percent) while Ferguson garnished 4,708 (47 percent) votes.

Fuller and Ferguson met in the July 18 run-off after neither was able to earn 51 percent of the vote in the June 6 primary election.

Fuller won despite Ferguson receiving the endorsement of Vincent High Principal Gary Minnick, who received 26 percent of the primary vote.

&8220;We were up late at night, early in the morning. It&8217;s been quite an effort by everyone,&8221; said Fuller. &8220;But they [voters] knew I would come in and bring fresh ideas and a creative approach and do what is best for the children of Shelby County.&8221;

Fuller also thanked Ferguson&8217;s supporters for getting involved in the school system.

&8220;They worked just as hard as our supporters did,&8221; said Fuller. &8220;A political election is something else and politics is a new experience for both of us.&8221;

Fuller said his immediate future will be to continue his duties as principal of Oak Mountain High School as he and the school board finalize plans for a transition period.

After thanking his supporters, Ferguson stressed that now is a time to come together and support the county school system.

&8220;Tomorrow is about children. It&8217;s not about an election. It&8217;s about moving forward,&8221; said Ferguson. &8220;Tomorrow we have got to get behind a new school superintendent.&8221;

Reporter managing editor Ashley Vansant contributed to this story