Board of Education Post 1 candidates Jim McBrayer and Sandra Sanford pulled ahead in the five-way race to head into a Nov. 30 runoff.

Out of the unofficial results, McBrayer received 8,843 votes, or 42 percent, Sandra Sanford received 5262 votes, or 24.83 percent, Dr. Darrell L. Stephens received 3360 votes, or 15.86 percent, Theresa Schroeder-Langley received 2425 votes, 11.44 percent, and Jimmy Norfleet won 1222 votes, or 5.77 percent.

Sanford received hugs of congratulations as she awaited the results at the Board of Elections office.

"We've got to get out there and beat the streets. I've been going door to door trying to meet people, trying to spread the word through Facebook and whatever medium. And I think people have faith in me, to represent them," said the 47 year old Heritage High School graduate and mother of five.

"I told my supporters, ‘Regardless of how the numbers read at the end of the night, we're still going to be winners.'"

McBrayer, a retired Salem High School Athletic Director, said he was excited about going into the runoff.

"It just means that I've got to go out and sell myself to the community and try to prove to them I would be a good representative to the board," said McBrayer, who gathered with supporters at the Whistle Post.

"I'm very excited about that. Obviously I'm in it to win the race but looking for that 50 percent plus one. With five people running it's difficult for anyone to win majority of the vote. Obviously the race take a little more focus."

"And I have a very good person running against me," said McBrayer. "I'm looking forward to the challenge.