MARSHALL COUNTY, Ala (WHNT) — Unofficial results show that Jeana Ross is set to win the Republican runoff for the District 27 seat in The Alabama House of Representatives.

Unofficial results put former Alabama Department of Early Childhood Development Secretary Jeana Ross ahead of Arab City Councilman Alan Miller in the runoff.

Ross received 1611 votes in the special election or about 55. 31 percent of the vote. Miller on the other hand received 1411 votes or about 46.69 percent.

Ross said she is ready to take on the role and represent this district.

“I am excited to go to work for the people of District 27 with a great commitment to their interests, concerns and values,” Ross told News 19. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to serve and look forward to doing so with integrity, passion, and determination. “

Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl said Ross is a steadfast advocate of Republican principles and advocate for the people of Marshall County.

“Her track record of success and dedication to our conservative values make her the ideal person to fill this position in the Legislature,” he said. “We are confident that Jeana will serve with integrity, passion, and determination, and we congratulate her on her victory today.”

Former Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Head Jeana Ross (Courtesy of Jeana Ross)

Ross is a resident of Guntersville and led the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education from 2012 until her retirement in 2020. A 26-year teacher, Ross said in her campaign news release that education will be a priority, but she will also address other issues of concern.

Originally, six Republicans entered the race for the District 27 seat left open by Wes Kitchens, who won the Jan. 9 Alabama Senate District 9 race to replace Clay Scofield.

Scofield resigned in October 2023 to take a position with the Business Council of Alabama. No Democrats qualified for the seat.

Out of those six, former Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Secretary Jeana Ross and Arab City Councilman Alan Miller came out in the lead but neither got the 50 percent plus one vote needed to win outright. Ross received 1404 votes or about 39 percent of the vote while Miller received about 21 percent of the vote with 737 votes.

Miller is a member of the Arab City Council and a Redstone Federal Credit Union branch manager.