Natchez businessman F.L. &uot;Hank&uot; Smith qualified Thursday to run for mayor of Natchez.

Smith, who owns Hullabaloo Gifts in the Canal Street Depot, qualified as a Democrat.

&uot;I share the concern with a lot of citizens and other business owners about the economic future of this town,&uot; Smith said.

Smith will face incumbent Mayor Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown in the Democratic primary May 2.

Brown, who has served two terms in office, said this week he is proud of the projects his administration has accomplished, and he wants to continue his work.

&uot;The voters have spoken before and allowed me to serve the public, and that’s what I want to do,&uot; he said Wednesday.

Robert Costa, owner of TASS&160;House Antiques and TASS House Bed and Breakfast, is running for mayor as an independent.

Costa has said he is concerned about the direction of the city and would like to see greater economic development and more jobs in the area.

&uot;I am running because I am convinced this town is dying in complacency, and I think it deserves more,&uot; Costa said after he qualified March 16.

In addition to the competition in the mayor’s race, four candidates are seeking the city clerk’s position, two are running for the alderman Ward 2 seat and two are running for the Ward 5 seat.

Art Fesmire, who qualified for the Ward 5 seat Wednesday but couldn’t be reached for comment later that day, said Thursday he believes economic development needs to be &uot;on the front-burner&uot; for Natchez.

&uot;I would like to see us get some better paying jobs,&uot; said Fesmire, who is manager of Natchez&160;Mall and a member of the Natchez-Adams County Economic Development Authority board of directors.

Fesmire faces incumbent David Massey.

The primary runoff is May 16, and the general election is June 6.

In order to qualify for election, candidates must submit a $10 filing fee and a statement of intent. Independent candidates must also submit 50 signatures of registered voters.

Candidates can qualify for office today and Saturday at the city clerk’s office. The office is open until 5 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. to noon tomorrow.

Residents can also register to vote through noon tomorrow at the city clerk’s office. The Adams County circuit clerk’s office will be open from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday for voter registration as well.

Saturday is the deadline to register to vote in the first primary for the Natchez election and also the deadline for in-office absentee voting for the April 4 Democratic runoff in the U.S. Senate race. Anyone who has moved from the county to the city and wishes to vote in the city election must come to the circuit clerk’s office by Saturday to sign a change of address form.