NATCHEZ — After nine long hours of paper ballot counting, Jake Middleton emerged as the official Democratic candidate for mayor, defeating incumbent Phillip West by 219 votes.

“It’s been a long day and I’m very, very relieved,” Middleton said.

The final tally, which will be officially certified this morning, shows Middleton as having 2,719 votes to West’s 2,490.

Middleton’s percentage decreased slightly from Tuesday when it was 52.5 percent to 51.8 percent Wednesday.

West’s percentage went from 47.5 to 48.2 percent.

Although the verification has not taken place, after the paper ballots — affidavit, absentee and curbside — were counted, for all intents and purposes, it is certain Middleton has received the nomination.

Both Democratic mayoral candidates sat all day in the Adams County Courthouse watching the election commission and a third party check all the ballots.

Middleton said while he wasn’t too concerned that the paper ballots would reflect differently from Tuesday night’s electronic votes, he’s pleased that everything is finalized.

“It’s not over until it’s over,” he said.

Middleton said now it’s time to look ahead to the June 3 general election.

West said he did not have a comment about the final tally.

Middleton will now face Independent Chick Graning in the general election June 3.