TUSCUMBIA — Daniel Rosser spent a lengthy campaign asking Colbert County residents to elect him probate judge.

After finding out he had been elected to the position Tuesday night over Republican Jim Bonner, Rosser issued one more request to county residents.

"I would ask the citizens of Colbert County to please pray to God that he will continue to put his love in my heart because without that, I couldn't serve you," Rosser said.

Rosser, a Tuscumbia attorney, took approximately 61.5 percent of the votes to defeat Bonner by 5,225 votes.

The probate judge's post was left open by the retirement of Tommy Crosslin, who has been probate judge since 1980.

Months of campaigning can be grueling for candidates, but Rosser said he enjoyed the experience.

"It was fun," he said. "It was fun getting to know Colbert County, the people and the county. It was a good campaign. You need good, strong volunteers who stick with you and encourage you, and I had that."

Rosser said he recognizes many voters these days are disenfranchised with politics, and he will take that as a challenge to focus on serving the county.

"People are tired of politicians across the board," he said. "People believe you can't have a good, truthful politician. Can I keep the interest of Colbert County above my own interest? I know I'll certainly try."

Bonner was gracious in defeat, saying he was thankful both sides focused on the campaign instead of mudslinging. He and Rosser had an upbeat conversation Tuesday night at the Colbert County Courthouse.

"I told Daniel he gave it a good race and I tried to make it interesting for him," Bonner said. "I have no hard feelings. We made it a clean race."

Colbert County traditionally votes Democratic, and Bonner knew that would cause an uphill battle, although David L. Black's victory over Lane Roland in the District 2 County Commission race was the first local race ever won by a Republican in Colbert County.

"I thought it would be closer and I'm terribly disappointed but I'm not shocked," Bonner said. "Things are changing a little bit and this has broken some ground, and maybe we'll have a two-party county."

Rosser won the Democratic primary in March by defeating Jenna Brooks Smith by about a 2-to-1 margin.

Duties of the probate judge's office in Colbert County include selling vehicle tags, filing petitions in probate court, issuing marriage licenses and overseeing elections.

Bernie Delinski can be reached at 256-740-5739 or bernie.delinski@TimesDaily.com.