Ward One Alderman Bill Dugger became the first candidate to qualify for the 2013 Batesville Municipal Election. Dugger qualified at the City Hall Thursday, Dec. 20, City Clerk Laura Herron said.

All city elected officials have indicated that they plan to seek re-election in 2013.

The municipal party primary will be held on Tuesday, May 7 followed, if necessary, by a runoff election two weeks later. The municipal general election will be Tuesday, June 4.

Qualifying deadline for candidates seeking election to municipal office will be Friday, March 8, according to the 2013 Elections Calendar published by the Secretary of State.

Dugger is completing his fourth term and is the longest serving city elected official. “I’m looking forward to it,” Dugger said in anticipation of the 2013 municipal races. He was first elected in 1997 and ran without opposition in 2009.

Mayor Jerry Autrey has made no secret during his entire second term that he will seek re-election in 2013. Autrey was first elected in 2005 during his second attempt for political office He was re-elected mayor in 2009 without opposition.

However, for the 2013 race Autrey is the only city official presently known to face an opponent. Former alderman Rufus Manley announced at least two years ago that he would seek the post and confirmed last week that he intends to run for mayor. Manley served two terms as alderman from Ward Two, from 2001 through 2009.

Ted Stewart said that he will run for re-election as Ward Two alderman. Stewart is completing his first term. In Ward Three, Alderman Stan Harrison said that he will seek re-election. Harrison won his seat in a special election in 2007 and won a full term in 2009. Ward Four Alderman Eddie Nabors, also completing his first term, said the he would seek re-election as well.

Also seeking re-election next year will be Alderman-at-Large Teddy Morrow. Morrow is completing his second term in the office. Like Autrey and Dugger, Morrow ran unopposed in 2009.