A special election to determine who would take up the mantle for former State Senator Mae Beavers who resigned to pursue the governor's seat ended Tuesday with State Representative Mark Pody narrowly defeating first-timer Mary Alice Carfi.

In the six counties that make up Senatorial District 17, Pody won 5,990 (51.32%) to Carfi’s 5,682 (48.68%).
Pody carried Cannon County 467 to 353, Macon 428 to 238, and Wilson 3,641 to 3,561. Carfi carried DeKalb County 579 to 548, Smith County 733 to 716, and Clay 218 to 190.

A total of 1,128 DeKalb County voters cast ballots in the election including 661 on Election Day and 467 early votes/absentees.

Carfi carried seven precincts including Alexandria, Courthouse, Dowelltown, Keltonburg, Smithville Church of Christ, Smithville Church of God, Snow Hill, and she had a majority of the early votes/absentees.

Pody carried seven precincts including Belk, Blue Springs, County Complex, Johnsons Chapel, Liberty, Rock Castle, and Temperance Hall.

Pody and Carfi each had 1 vote at the Edgar Evins State Park precinct.

Pody will be resigning his State House seat in District 46 this week. His unexpired term is Pody’s District 46 State House seat will be filled by the Wilson County Commission. District 46 includes a portion of DeKalb and Wilson Counties and all of Cannon County.