NATCHEZ — Though Melanie Sojourner’s camp did a bit of celebrating Tuesday night, the candidate ended Election Day saying the race was too close to call.

Sojourner, a Republican, was challenging long-time Democrat Bob Dearing for the Senate District 37 Seat.

The unofficial results available Tuesday night showed that Sojourner received 9,490 votes, or 51 percent of the vote, to the 8,996 votes, or 49 percent of her opponent. Only 494 votes separate the candidates while more than 1,000 absentee ballots remain uncounted.

Traditionally, absentees reflect the ballot boxes.

In Adams County, Dearing received 5,026 votes, or 60.78 percentage of the votes, while Sojourner received 3,242 votes or 39.21 percentage.

Both candidates are Adams County residents.

Sojourner said she expected Franklin County to count its absentee ballots Tuesday night, but the remaining three counties will begin counting today.

“I still kind of feel like it’s fourth down and goal,” Sojourner said. “So we’ll be there when they snap the ball.”

Dearing was unavailable for comment.