THOMASVILLE — Tuesday’s local general municipal election ended with an upset for one Thomasville seat.

Incumbent Earl Williams Jr. was defeated by challenger Gregory A. Hobbs by 18 votes for the District 1, Post 2 Thomasville City Council seat.

The vote was 383, or 51.20 percent, to Hobbs and 365, or 48.80 percent, for Williams.

“It’s a great feeling,” Hobbs said in a phone interview Tuesday night. “The citizens of District 1 have spoken. They want me to represent them for the next four years. I’m humbled and honored; I think this is the beginning of something good for the district.”

Hobbs was unaware of his win until a member of his encouragement party told him. He’d left the second floor courtroom at Thomas County Courthouse, where the results were being posted, to get a drink.

“I’d gone outside to my truck to get a bottle of water and, as I was walking back inside, someone told me I’d won. My first thought was, ‘Wow, I missed it!’”

Williams, on the council for 28 years, also awaited results at the courthouse. He accepted the news with grace.

“I’ve had a good stint,” he said. “I had a great time and wish him and the council all the luck in the world.”

Hobbs said his “hat is off” to Williams for his tenure on the board.

Two other Thomasville City Council incumbents’ seats were up in the election but neither had opposition.

These were at-large member Roy Campbell, who received 1,039 votes, or 98.76 percent, and District 2, Post 2 member Max Beverly, who received 463 votes, or 98.09 percent.

Three Thomasville City Board of Education seats were also decided Tuesday.

The District 1 race was between Lewis Brunner and Hazel Thomas Jones, who were running to replace incumbent Donnell Carley Jr., who did not seek re-election.

Jones received 402 votes, or 53.03 percent, and Brunner received 288 votes, or 37.99 percent.

Karl E. Abrams was still on the ballot because it was made prior to his withdrawal from the race. He received 68 votes, or 8.97 percent.