For the first time in 28 years, Alabama State District 69 will have a new representative.

David Colston beat out incumbent James Thomas and three other candidates to become the new representative.

“I’m feeling great,” said Colston. “I’m at a loss for words right now. I feel like the people were ready for a change,” said Colston.

“I’m a little surprised at the numbers but then again I’m not,” said Barbara Evans, one of Colston’s opponents.

Colston is a graduate of Wilcox County High School and has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Faulkner University in Montgomery. He has spent 12 years of service with the Alabama Department of Public Safety and six years as a Military Police officer in the Alabama National Guard. Colston lives in Lowndes County and works in Dallas County. He has been married to Zandra Colston and the couple has two children, DaVandra and David.

Colston said he would try to bring a positive image to his district as well as try and get jobs for an area that has the highest unemployment rate in Alabama.

Incumbent James Thomas worked as a representative since he was first elected in 1982.

He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Alabama State University.

Thomas also serves as the principal director for Wilcox Central High School and has since it opened in 1989.

He served as the Treasurer, Vice President and President of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators and has an active role in community affairs.

Barbara Evans has lived in Lowndes County for 22 years and began by working as a community organizer.

She works as the Organizing Coordinator for WildLaw.

She is also the co-founder of the annual Okra Festival held each August and writes and publishes a community newsletter. She is the mother of one son and the grandmother of two.

Eli Mack was born in Camden.

He is the father of five children and the grandfather of nine children.

This is the second term in a row Mack has run for District 69 representative.

Mack said he believed that the people of District 69 should have the chance to get jobs through the lottery and casinos.

Daryl Perryman is married and a pastor in Wilcox County.

Perryman has worked as the legislative director of the Alabama Association of County Commission, which commissioned more than 14 counties. He is also a member of the Wilcox County School Board.