The race for Georgia House District 129 could come down to a runoff.

With 98 percent of precincts reporting late Tuesday, Kip Smith of Columbus had 49.5 percent of the vote in a special election for the seat in the Georgia House of Representatives. Following Smith were Steve Earles of Pine Mountain with 22 percent, Jerry Luquire of Columbus with 13.4 percent and Earl T. Davis of Hamilton with 15.1 percent.

If the percentages hold up, Smith and Earles will be in a runoff Dec. 1. The winner will fill the remaining year in the two-year term of Smith’s father, Vance Smith Jr. of Pine Mountain, who resigned to become commissioner of the state Department of Transportation.

The district encompasses southern Troup County, including West Point, most of Harris County and the northwest corner of Muscogee County.

In Hogansville, Mayor Jimmy Jackson was returned to office with 35 percent of the vote – the city does not hold a runoff. Challengers Andy Brubaker and Jim Karvelas came in with 31 and 32 percent of the vote, respectively.

Councilman Charlie Frank Martin was defeated by challenger Scott Worthy 56 to 43 percent. Councilman Bobby Joe Frazier was returned to office over challenger Derek Hay, 58 to 33 percent.

In West Point, all three incumbent councilmembers were returned to office. Joe Downs, Darren Kelley and Judy Wilkinson received 33, 25 and 23 percent of the vote, respectively; challenger Gloria Ramsey Marshall received 17 percent.

A referendum on a proposed tax allocation district, a redevelopment tool for the city, passed resoundingly, with 408 residents voting “yes” and just 94 voting “no.”