NASHVILLE (RNS) — A heated race for Southern Baptist Convention president is headed for a runoff.

With more than 14,000 ballots cast, none of the four candidates for president received 50% of votes.

Georgia pastor Mike Stone (36.35%) and Alabama pastor Ed Litton (32.38%), each received about a third of the vote. R. Albert Mohler, who was one of the favorites, received about a quarter of votes (25.32%). Randy Adams, a state convention leader from the Pacific Northwest, received just under 5% (4.71%) of the vote. Under SBC rules, the election heads to a run-off, with Stone and Litton.

In 2016, there was a run-off between megachurch pastors Steve Gaines and JD Greear. When the run-off was too close to call, Greear dropped out. Gaines was elected president in 2016 and 2017. Greear was elected in 2018 and reelected in 2019. Since there was no 2020 SBC annual meeting, Greear remained in office for a third year.