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Democrats on Saturday elected Jeff Jackson to represent Mecklenburg County as the new District 37 state senator.

The 31-year-old assistant district attorney replaces former state Sen. Dan Clodfelter, a Charlotte Democrat who resigned last month after being tapped to succeed former Mayor Patrick Cannon, who was arrested in March on federal corruption charges.

A total of 49 Democrats voted; arcane party rules determine the number of voters.

Jackson will not only serve the remainder of Clodfelters current term, but take his place on the November ballot where he will run unopposed for a full two-year term.

I have huge shoes to fill, Jackson said after the election at Charlottes Little Rock AME Zion Church. Dan Clodfelter is one of the steadiest public servants Mecklenburg County has ever had. Im honored to be selected. Its going to be a wonderful opportunity to serve, hopefully, millions across the state who are hurting.

On the second ballot, Jackson got 25 votes. Innkeeper Billy Maddalon, who served briefly on the Charlotte City Council, got 21 votes and former school board member Amelia Stinson-Wesley of Pineville got three.

East Charlotte activist Darrell Bonapart was eliminated in the first ballot with only one vote.

Choked with emotion after the final results were announced, Jackson told Democrats gathered in the church, We had a truly exceptional field of candidates, and it was an honor to be in the running.

Robin Bradford, chair of the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party, said after the election that Democrats needed to support each other and work together.

Commenting on Saturdays election process, she said it was done very effectively, efficiently and it was transparent.

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Democrats elect Jeff Jackson to replace former state Sen. Clodfelter