BRANDON, Miss.--Brent Powell is the unofficial winner of the House Dist. 59 seat left vacant by former Rep. Kevin McGee. Powell was declared the winner in a Tuesday special election, with 52 percent of the vote.

That makes a run-off election unlikely.

Powell, a Republican, faced three others and qualified after the November resignation of McGee amid ethics violations and the surrounding contraversy. Reports showed McGee avoided paying nearly a half-million dollars in fines by resigning. He paid $10,000 and agreed never again to run for a seat in the Miss. legislature.

Powell is a 40-year resident of the area, according to his website. He helps manage three real estate companies and Powell Petroleum, Inc.