Three more candidates qualified just under the wire Saturday to run for Natchez municipal offices.

On the last day to get their names on the ballot, independent JoeAnne Hicks signed up to run for city clerk, Democrat Gail Jenkins Healy qualified to run for Ward 1 alderwoman and Democrat Joe Eidt III qualified to run for Ward 4 alderman.

Hicks, who has spent 12 years in the Natchez city clerk’s office as a deputy city clerk, said she will be running on her qualifications and experience.

Hicks will face the winner of a four-way Democratic primary race between Billy Geoghegan, Donnie Holloway, Peter Rinaldi and Fredericka Cain Todd.

Current City Clerk Frances Trosclair, who has served two terms in office, announced in January she would not seek reelection.

The primary will be held May 2, with a runoff May 16. And the general election is June 6.

Healy, executive director of the Sunshine Shelter for Abused and Neglected Children, could not be reached for comment Saturday.

She will face incumbent Ward 1 Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux.

Eidt, who serves as chairman of the city’s recreation council and works at Big M Supply Co., said he decided to run in part because he wants to continue to build on achievements in the city’s recreation department.

&uot;We’ve thrived in the last four years because the city has increased our budget tremendously,&uot; said Eidt, who called recreation a &uot;great economic development tool.&uot;

Edit said improving the city’s recreation facilities can improve quality of life – and attract industry.

He faces Bettye Bell and incumbent Theodore &uot;Bubber&uot; West in the May 2 Democratic primary.

In other races:

Ward 2: Incumbent George &uot;Shake&uot; Harden and James &uot;Ricky&uot; Gray Jr. face each other in the Democratic primary.

Ward 5: Incumbent David Massey and Art Fesmire face each other in the Democratic primary.

Candidates who might be resting a little easier throughout the campaign process are Ward 3 Alderwoman Sue Stedman, Ward 6 Alderman Jake Middleton and Municipal Judge John M. Tipton, all of whom are unopposed.