Natchez mayoral candidate Phillip West is considering withdrawing from the race.

West, who also represents Natchez as a Democrat in the state Legislature, qualified to run as an independent in Natchez’s June 6 general election.

West, who lost the mayor’s race to incumbent Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot; Brown in 1996, said there are a number of reasons he may drop out, and he cited racial issues as one of the problems he has encountered.

&uot;The only reason I qualified to run is because of the concerns that had been expressed to me by people about the lack of focus of the city to create real jobs and real opportunities for real people,&uot; West said. &uot;And that is the kind of philosophy I have.&uot;

West said he is trying to get a feel from the community whether voters would support a black candidate for mayor — and through his own investigation, he’s not sure some voters are ready.

&uot;I don’t feel I can be elected mayor without some representation of white support,&uot; said West, who doesn’t think he has that support.

But there is also the time factor — West will be in session in Jackson until early May, when three of the other four mayoral candidates face each other in the Democratic primary.

That leaves about a month of campaign time before the June 6 general election.

Democrats in the May 2 race are Brown, John &uot;Pulleybone&uot; Pullen and F.L. &uot;Hank&uot; Smith. Robert F. Costa has qualified as an independent.

West said he is not sure Natchez’s racial tensions — and the tendency to vote along racial lines — will be resolved anytime soon.

&uot;I’m not so sure Natchez will overcome it in my lifetime,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s just a sad situation in my opinion. But that’s the reality of it.&uot;