Local hairdresser and business owner Pam Johnson, 39, filed for South Ward alderman Wednesday, meaning incumbent Sid Beauman will have opposition in the June 7 general election.

With two days left for candidates to file for Vicksburg’s three elective offices, Johnson filed as a Democrat. Beauman, 57, is a Republican serving his first four-year term.

If no one else files, Johnson and Beauman will skip primaries and face off in June for the job that pays $58,000 annually.

Johnson, who ran unsuccessfully against Beauman four years ago, said she’s optimistic despite the results in 2001.

“The odds in this race are very high against me,” Johnson said. Sam Habeeb, who held the office before Beauman, and Wayne Smith, who held the office before Habeeb, were also Republicans.

Johnson said that if elected she would focus on the city’s young people and look at programs to help save dilapidated housing.

“There are so many programs like those in Atlanta, Chicago or New Orleans,” Johnson said.

The filing deadline for all city offices is at 5 p.m. Friday.

Democratic party primary ballots for May 3 voting will include the names of candidates for mayor while ballots in the North Ward will also have the names of hopefuls for the alderman’s seat.

Those seeking the party’s nomination for mayor are Eric Rawlings, 42; Charles Selmon, 44, and John Shorter, 38. The winner of that race will advance to face incumbent Mayor Laurence Leyens, 40, and former Mayor Joe Loviza, 65, who both qualified as independents.

The position pays $73,500.

In the North Ward alderman’s race, those seeking the Democratic nomination are the incumbent, Gertrude Young, 49; Warren County District 2 Supervisor Michael Mayfield, 47, and Rodney Dillamar, 45.

The winner of that race will advance to the June 7 general election to face independent candidates Vickie Bailey, 36, and Tommie Rawlings, 41, and the winner of the Republican primary. If no others file to run as a Republican in the North Ward, Carl Yelverton, 58, will advance to the general election.