Melton elected mayor of Selma

SELMA, Ala. (AP) - State legislator Darrio Melton has been elected as the new mayor of Selma.

Melton on Tuesday night defeated former Mayor James Perkins, Jr. in a runoff election. He will take office in November.

Melton has served in the Alabama House of Representatives since 2010.

Melton in a statement said he was honored by the support. He said Selma, the site of a violent 1965 clash during African Americans’ fight for voting rights, has been a symbol of hope and hard work for the last 50 years.

Part of Melton’s campaign platform was addressing the city’s current crime problem.

Someone shot at Melton and another person last month in an apparent robbery attempt as they were leaving a community event.