Corey Hill won the Republican nomination for Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries on Tuesday night, defeating Christina Woerner McInnis in one of the closest statewide primaries of the cycle.

Hill carried 53.30% of the vote to McInnis’ 46.70%, according to unofficial returns, with 158,033 votes to her 138,468 out of nearly 296,500 cast.

The two candidates were separated by fewer than 1,500 votes in the May 19 primary. Hill, the mayor of Douglas and a poultry and cattle farmer from Marshall County, edged ahead with 35.2% to McInnis’ 34.9%, eliminating State Sen. Jack Williams (R-Wilmer) in third.

Hill faces Democrat Ron Sparks, who served as Alabama agriculture commissioner from 2003 to 2011, in the November general election.

Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].