Ellington

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Brandon resident Brent Powell has been elected to the Mississippi Legislature during a special House election.

The Clarion-Ledger reports (http://on.thec-l.com/XiUFkR ) the Republican on Tuesday garnered more than 51 percent of the vote. He avoids a Jan. 29 runoff election.

Powell faced Republicans Bradley Lum and Scot Allen, and independent Benny L. Hubbard. They were vying for the seat left by former Rep. Kevin McGee, who resigned over ethics violations in November.

House District 59 encompasses the Ross Barnett Reservoir area and parts of Brandon and Flowood.