News 12 at 6 o'clock, November 5, 2009

AUGUSTA---The runoff race for Betty Beard's District 1 Commission seat just got more interesting.

Aitken got 40.19% of the vote compared to William Fennoy's 32.39%.

"It looks like it is going to the special interest, and we are all prepared to get behind the non-special interest, black or white," said District 1 candidate Butch Palmer on November 3, 2009 in an exclusive interview with News 12. "We are prepared to get behind whoever is not behind Aitken's camp, because it is special interest."

Days later, Palmer says he is now getting behind Matt Aiken. Why the about-face?

"Sour grapes," said Palmer. "It was just the sting of loss. It is very important that we put in someone who is concerned and who will carry forward everything they say they will."

District 1 hopeful JoRae Jenkins later announced her support for William Fennoy.

"Teamwork makes the dream work," said Jenkins. "That's what we need in Augusta. With everything that is going on and so many racial divides and so many splits in the city, we need to stand and have teamwork to fulfill the dream of Augusta."

"United we stand. Divided we fall," said Fennoy. "And we are not ready to fall."

The runoff election is set for December 1, 2009.