William H. Banks Jr. defeated interim District 2 Supervisor Larry &#8220LD” Prentiss in Tuesday’s special election runoff and will join the five-member body that governs Warren County.

Banks, who carried all six precincts, received 617 votes. Prentiss received 346 votes.

Before leaving the courthouse to celebrate at the Elks Lodge with friends and family, Banks said he is ready to report to work.

&#8220People want someone who is going to speak up and do the work that needs to be done,” he said. &#8220I’m going to start working on the most important issues in District 2, all the way down to the least important. I’m going to work from an agenda.”

Banks, 54, owns 3MW Cash for Titles and was named by supervisors as one of two finalists in July when Prentiss got the board’s nod.

Warren County Board of Supervisors President David McDonald said Banks may be sworn in next week.

&#8220He’ll take office as soon as the circuit clerk’s office certifies the votes,” McDonald said. &#8220We’re probably going to have a special meeting Monday, and a judge might swear him in then.”

Prentiss, also a businessman and owner of LD’s Kitchen, immediately congratulated Banks and left the courthouse. He said later he supports the winner and respects the voters’ decision.

&#8220I ask everyone who supported me to support Banks now,” Prentiss said. &#8220The best man won the position. The people spoke and I have to go with that. I really wanted (to win), but the people of District 2 made their choice. Anything I can do for Banks, I will. I am behind him 100 percent.”

Fewer votes – 963 in all – were cast in the runoff than in the Nov. 8 special election – 1,084. More than 6,000 residents in District 2 are listed as eligible voters.

&#8220That’s just typical for small elections,” Prentiss said. &#8220A lot of people weren’t really interested in it. Most times when a major election comes up, people show up and speak out. But I really thank everyone for the four months I was with the board of supervisors.”

The special election and Tuesday’s runoff were needed after former District 2 Supervisor Michael Mayfield unseated four-term North Ward Alderman Gertrude Young in the Democratic primary in early June and went on to win the general election. After being elected supervisor in the northern county district for three terms when he ran for North Ward alderman, Mayfield began a four-year term as a city official July 1.

Banks and Prentiss emerged as leaders in a five-candidate field two weeks ago. The runoff was required because neither had more than half the votes cast.

Banks, who had never sought elective office before, will serve the remaining two years on Mayfield’s term.

&#8220In these next two years, I will do the best I can do,” Banks said. &#8220When the next four years come around, the work I’ve done can speak for me.”

District 2 is in the northwest part of the county and includes the Eagle Lake community and U.S. 61 North.