By Rita Howell
and David Howell

A last-minute qualifier, Brad Baker, entered the Batesville mayor’s race Friday, the final day for qualifying for this summer’s municipal elections.

Baker, a Democrat and the son of former Mayor Bobby Baker, will face incumbent Jerry Autrey and former alderman Rufus Manley in the Democratic primary on May 7.

If a runoff is needed, it would be held on May 21.

In the General Election on June 4, the Democratic nominee for mayor will face Republican candidate Sidney Burns Jr. and independent candidate Wally Pang.

The Democratic primary ballot will also contain the Ward 3 race between incumbent Stan Harrison and Wayne Reed, who qualified late last week to run as a Democrat in that race.

Ward 1 Alderman Bill Dugger, a Republican, will face a Democratic challenger, Bobby Reed, in the General Election.

Alderman-at-large Teddy Morrow and Ward 2 Alderman Ted Stewart, both Democrats, are unopposed for reelection, as is Republican Ward 4 Alderman Eddie Nabors.

In other mayoral races:

•In Como, incumbent Everette Hill has qualified to seek another term, but he will have at least one challenger as Mike Sumner has also qualified to run for mayor. Sumner’s late wife, Judy Sumner, served as mayor prior to Hill.

Both Sumner and Hill are running as Democrats.

•Incumbent Sardis Mayor Rusty Dye has joined the race, qualifying to seek another term. Dye will face at least one challenger with Billy Russell joining the race early in the qualifying period.
 
Dye has been battling illness and unable to preside over the monthly meeting at times.

•In Crenshaw a contested race for mayor has emerged when Phyllis Sanford qualified to challenge incumbent Oscar Barlow.