Eddie Johnson took a lead in the Board of Education voting for District 2 early on Tuesday night and held on to it to secure the seat.

"I'm honored that the people in District 2 trusted me going forward with educational excellence for their kids," Johnson said. "I'll do my very best to uphold such an honor. I will work tirelessly for the betterment of Newton County School System."

Johnson, a Democrat, first won the District 2 seat for the BOE in 2008, beating out Republican Rickie Corley. Corley held the seat on the board for 12 years prior to Johnson's win.

Originally from Leesburg, Johnson earned a bachelor's of business administration from Albany State University after a three-year enlistment in the U.S. Army. Johnson retired from AT&T after 30 years with the company. Johnson held several management positions within AT&T including roles in planning and development for corporate directions, fleet management and controls, budget preparations and forecasting and labor relations.

Corley, a Covington native, attended Newton High School before it moved to its current location on Ram Drive and has put his children and grandchildren through the county's school system.