Bryan Taylor defeated Wendell Mitchell by 5,735 votes, in an election that pitted a familiar face in Pike County against a new agenda.

With 99 percent of precincts reporting, the unofficial results show Taylor’s victory at 23,610 to 17,875. The votes gave Taylor a 57 percent lead over Mitchell, who had held the seat for more than 25 years. In Pike County alone, Taylor won by just 19 votes, at 4,836 to 4,817, by the latest unofficial count.

“I’m speechless,” Taylor said.

“We’re absolutely thrilled with the turnout today,” he added. “And we’re thrilled for the opportunity to work with a conservative agenda.

“This means we have new leadership in the Senate. Leadership we can trust.”

Taylor also added that his election means the state will have ethics and accountability reforms that it “desperately needs and deserves.”

For Taylor, ethical reform starts with working toward a ban on PAC-to-PAC transfers and restricting the power of lobbyists and special interest groups, he said.

“I think we’re about to see a big change for the good in Alabama,” he said.

For his first measures in office, Taylor said he plans to meet with other senators to discuss an agenda for the upcoming legislative session this winter.

Unless there is a special session called to discuss ethics reform earlier, he said.

He added that his next few weeks would be filled with local meetings and acquainting himself with his district.

“One of my primary goals over the next few weeks will be to meet with local officials throughout the district,” he said. “I want them to know that I am committed to representing the whole district and working hard to fulfill the needs of the district from one end to the other. I fully intend to represent every corner of this district to best of my ability.”

Mitchell could not be reached for comment.