Candidates looking for a seat in local government are running out of time to file for March elections in Attala County cities and towns.
The qualifying period ends at 5 p.m. Friday for the majority of the four municipalities that plan to hold elections on May 2 and June 6.
As of Tuesday morning, seven have filed for a spot on the Kosciusko Board of Aldermen with only one position facing opposition. Cheryl Bayne and Billy Coffee will challenge current alderman Henry Daniels in Ward 2 in the democrat primary, while Alderman-at-large Tim Kyle, Ward 1 Alderman Taylor Casey, Ward 3 Alderman Robert Ellis and Ward 4 Alderman Jeffery Woods currently have no opposition. Current mayor Jimmy Cockroft has only one opponent in Dorothy Patrick on the democratic ticket.
In Ethel, Town Clerk Ginger Alford said Gwen Sims and Anthony Jerome Barksdale have qualified for mayor. Incumbents Patricia Bouley and Lyda Fair have qualified for aldermen positions. Sallis Town Clerk Melissa Roberts said incumbent Jack Ables has filed for the office of mayor. Aldermen who are asking re-election are Gloria Bordelon, Shannon Lewis, Kelly Hutchison, Linda Hutchison and Brent Busbea. Reba Robertson has also qualifed for alderman. In McCool, town clerk Megan Hill said Tony Smith has qualified for mayor. Those seeking seats on the board of aldermen are Charles Ingram Jr., Margie Rosamond and Savannah Hester.
The primary election is May 2, with runoff elections May 16. The general election is June 6. Those elected will be sworn in at the beginning of July.
To run for office, candidates must be registered voters in the city where they plan to run, have never been convicted of bribery, perjury or any other crime punished by a minimum of one year in prison, unless pardoned, and never been convicted of a felony in state or federal court. To qualify for a party primary, a candidate must submit qualifying papers at least 60 days before the first primary and pay a $10 qualifying fee.
Candidates running as independents must file qualifying papers and a qualifying petition signed by 50 registered voters in the city within 60 days before the first primary election. Independent candidates do not have to pay a filing fee.
