NATCHEZ — In a stunning defeat, Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield came in third in a three-candidate Democratic primary race for sheriff Tuesday.

Top vote getter Travis Patten, a Natchez police officer, and Randy Freeman, a deputy sheriff, will face off in a runoff election Aug. 25.

“Wow! I feel pretty good,” an elated Patten said Tuesday night. He and his supporters were gathered at the Washington Community Center on Morgantown Road.

Patten earned 3,463 votes or 40.8 percent to Freeman’s 2,912 or 34.3 percent. Mayfield earned 2,109 votes or 24.9 percent.

“I’m just grateful, being that it’s my first time running. I’m really looking forward to round two,” Patten said.

Patten, 35, said he ran a campaign with volunteers whose goal was to bring change to Natchez and Adams County.

“I sent out a clarion call for help. I told people we were running a campaign on limited funds and that I needed their help. If you want a change in the community, come help me. Our strategy was communication, consideration and collaboration,” he said. “I really want to thank the people who came out tomorrow and every last person who threw up a prayer. Just thank you.”

Patten said tomorrow, he’d be out again knocking on doors.

“We only have three weeks to get out the vote again,” he said.

Randy Freeman, who was meeting with his supporters at The Vue Tuesday night, said he, too, will be back to campaigning tomorrow.

“I feel good,” Freeman said. “We have three more weeks to work. I feel very, very confident. We will pull this off. There are lots of great people in Adams County, and I know I can count on them.”

Freeman said Tuesday night’s results were what he expected.

“I’ve worked with the sheriff’s department for 30 years and for five different sheriffs. When somebody’s time is up, your time is up,” he said. “I really did expect this. The people I’ve been talking to have told me they are ready for a change.”

Freeman said Wednesday he would begin by “hitting the ground running. We’re going to start off with more campaign strategy and then get around to see the people we didn’t get a chance to see this time.

“I want to thank the citizens of Adams County. I will never let you down, and I will always be there for everyone in the City of Natchez and Adams County. I was born here, raised here, and I want to die here.”

Mayfield did not respond to a phone message seeking comment.