Bessemer, Alabama - Unofficial election results show former state Rep. Lawrence McAdory has won a close runoff race for the House District 56 seat.

McAdory won Tuesday's Democratic Party runoff by just 64 votes, beating political newcomer Claire Mitchell.

There were no Republican candidates in the race to fill the seat, which became vacant when Democrat Priscilla Dunn was elected to the Senate. The 80-year-old McAdory will serve the remainder of Dunn's term, which ends in November 2010.

Dunn replaced former Democratic Sen. E. B. McClain, who lost his seat when he was convicted in a federal government corruption case.

McAdory previously served in the Alabama House from 1994-98.

It was the first run for public office for Mitchell, wife of former Bessemer Mayor Quitman Mitchell.

The district includes the western sections of Jefferson County including most of Bessemer and Lipscomb.

___

Information from: The Birmingham News, http://www.al.com/birminghamnews