School superintendent races headed for runoffs, Gainesville's Bell misses cut

ATLANTA (AP) The crowded Republican and Democratic primaries for state schools superintendent are headed for runoffs.

Valarie Wilson, a nonprofit director from Decatur, finished first in the six-person Democratic race Tuesday, and Alicia Morgan, a state representative from Austell, finished second, according to unofficial returns.

Michael Buck, an educator and acting chief of staff for current Superintendent John Barge, took first, and Richard Woods, an educator from Tifton, took second in nine-person Republican contest, unofficial returns showed.

Gainesville Attorney Ashley Bell, who ran on the GOP ticket, finished fourth in the race with 15.07-percent of the votes cast.

State rules require a candidate to receive 50 percent plus one vote to avoid a runoff and advance to the general election.

The seat is being vacated after a single term by Barge, who was one of two unsuccessful Republican primary challengers to Gov. Nathan Deal.