THOMAS COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — Although many races were settled across south Georgia on Election Day, the race for the Thomas County District 6 Commission seat is heading to a runoff.

Results show Republican candidate Adrian Burns Smith and Independent Otis H. Boyd secured more votes than Independent Johnathan Wood.

Each candidate in this special election was vying to replace late District 6 commissioner and longtime Thomasville public servant Wiley Grady, who died in May 2026.

Smith led with 905 votes, followed by Boyd’s 682 votes, but neither secured 50 plus one percent of the vote - what it takes to win in Georgia.

Who are the candidates

Adrian Smith is a Thomas County native who returned home after graduating from Oral Roberts University and has spent most of her career working with children and families in the non-profit sector, according to her campaign website.

Through the years, she has served in the Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce, the public library, the Thomasville Housing Authority, and the Heritage Foundation.

If elected, Smith says she plans to focus on implementing clearer communication with District 6 residents, improving infrastructure and public safety and collaborating with community organizations.

Otis H. Boyd, who said he is a retired corporate vice president at Ambassador Personnel Inc., has run on the motto “service is an honorable profession.”

He has urged District 6 residents to “vote for proven leadership and sound judgment.”

Runoff on Dec. 1

At the end of Election Night, Smith took to social media to thank her team, family, volunteers, and the community for their support, but says this race is far from over.

“We have more work to do, and I’m asking for your continued support and your vote in the runoff for Thomas County Commissioner, District 6,” she said.

According to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, the Election Day for the General Election Runoff is Dec. 1, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

WALB has reached out to both Smith and Boyd to learn more about their plans for District 6 ahead of the runoff Election Day.

You can find more local election results here.

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