Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

During the past couple of months of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been easy to forget about some of the other important happenings going on and events coming up.

If you’re like me, you might have forgotten we are in the midst of a municipal election cycle.

Party primaries had been scheduled for April 7 but have since been postponed a couple of times due to the health scare.

Now, party primaries are set to be held June 2 with a June 23 run-off, if needed, and a July 14 general election with new officials being sworn in on July 24.

Before our regular schedules were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the election campaigning was well under way.

Several candidates had already submitted candidate announcements. The Natchez Democrat runs an announcement free of charge for every candidate, including a photograph of the candidate, as a public service to inform our readers.

Perhaps some of the candidates who have not yet submitted their announcements have forgotten, so here is a gentle reminder that we will accept those up until 5 p.m. Monday, May 18, and we will publish those as space is available on a first-come, first-served basis up to and in the Sunday, May 24, edition.

At this time, we will only accept announcements from candidates in contested races that will be on the primary ballots and who have not yet had their free-announcement published.

In case you have forgotten, here is a recap of all of the Natchez municipal candidates:

Mayoral candidates

Democrats Tony Fields and Dan Gibson are on ballots in the June 2 mayoral Democratic primary and the winner will face independents Richard Branyan and Phillip West in the July 14 general election to fill the seat being vacated by Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell, who chose not to seek a second term.

Ward 1 Alderman candidates

Incumbent Democrat Ward 1 Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis will face Democrat Valencia Hall in the June 2 primary and the winner will face independent candidate Jamar White in the general election.

Ward 3 Alderman candidates

Incumbent Democrat Ward 4 Alderwoman Felicia Irving faces a challenge from fellow Democrats Michael Calcote and Fredrick Todd in the June 2 primary and Republican candidate Brenda Floyd will be on the Republican primary ballot unchallenged for the Republican nomination.

Ward 6 Aldermen candidates

Incumbent Ward 6 Alderman Dan Dillard faces challenges from fellow Democrats Arrick Rice and Queen Ella Wilson in the June 2 primary and the winner will prevail as no Republican or independent candidates are seeking that seat.

Uncontested races

Incumbents Ward 2 Alderman Billie Joe Frazier, Ward 3 Alderwoman Sarah Carter-Smith and Ward 5 Alderman Ben Davis, all Democrats, are running unopposed and by default will serve another term on the board.

Incumbent Municipal Court Judge Lisa Jordan Dale did not garner any opposition so she also will serve another term.

Study up on the candidates and be sure to check out the Democratic Mayoral Candidate Q&A video featuring Tony Fields and Dan Gibson on The Natchez Democrat’s website Tuesday, May 26.

Scott Hawkins is the editor of The Natchez Democrat. Reach him at 601-445-3540 or at scott.hawkins@natchezdemocrat.com.