NATCHEZ — With two weeks before the deadline for candidacy qualification, 14 candidates have put their name in the hat for mayor and aldermen positions.

Mayor Phillip West is the only candidate to qualify for mayor, but Alderman Jake Middleton has announced his candidacy.

Those qualifying in Ward 1 are incumbent Alderwoman Joyce-Arceneaux-Mathis, Jim Sanders and Sonya Anderson-Mars.

Aldermen James “Ricky” Gray is running for re-election for Ward 2. His challengers include Johnny Franklin and Larry E. Hooper Jr.

Ward 3 has only one candidate, current Aldermen Robert E. “Bob” Pollard.

Aldermen Theodore “Bubber” West is running again for Ward 4 against two other candidates Donell Newsome and Ernest “Tony” Fields.

Mark Fortenbery is running unopposed for Ward 5. Aldermen David Massey currently holds that position.

For Ward 6 there are currently two candidates, Forrest Foster and Daniel “Dan” Dillard. Middleton currently holds this position.

The last date to qualify is March 7, City Clerk Donnie Holloway said, so this isn’t the final headcount.

“We’ll have some wait until last minute to qualify,” Holloway said.

He said in the last election about three or four people qualified for candidacy on the last day.

Holloway also said compared to last year, he’s surprised there aren’t more people running.

The first primary is May 6. The second primary is May 20. General election is June 3.