North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield has a challenger.

Deputy city clerk John Carroll Friday afternoon qualified for the May 2 primary election.

“The reason I’m running for the North Ward is to enhance the North Ward, make the North Ward strong, and I believe that a strong North Ward makes for a stronger Vicksburg,” Carroll said. “I would accomplish that by enhancing citizens, citizenship, the community, infrastructure and our businesses.”

Carroll said he will not have to resign as deputy clerk, but added he will not be allowed under state law to have anything to do with election matters in the city clerk’s office.

He becomes the third candidate to qualify for the primary since qualifying opened Jan. 3. Mayfield and South Ward Alderman Willis Thompson qualified Jan. 3.

Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said he plans to qualify in February, and Vicksburg police officer Troy Kimble, who has said he will run for North Ward alderman, also indicated he expected to qualify in February after his resignation from the police department becomes official.

District 3 Warren County Supervisor Charles Selmon, who Tuesday afternoon announced his plans to run for mayor, has not qualified for the primary.

Qualifying ends March 3. A runoff election, if needed, will be May 16, with the general election June 6. The new administration will be sworn-in in July.

The offices of mayor and North and South Ward aldermen are full-time positions. The mayor’s salary is $93,450, and the aldermen earn $74,550. The mayor and aldermen’s salaries are set by city ordinance and will increase by 5 percent July 1, 2018.

To run for office, a candidate must be a registered voter in the city where they plan to run, have never been convicted of bribery, perjury or any other crime punished by a minimum of one year in prison, unless pardoned, and never been convicted of a felony in state or federal court.

To qualify for a party primary, a candidate must submit qualifying papers at least 60 days before the first primary and pay a $10 qualifying fee.

Candidates running as independents must file qualifying papers and a qualifying petition signed by 50 registered voters in the city 60 days before the first primary election. Independent candidates do not have to pay a filing fee

To win in the first primary, which is a party primary, a candidate must win by 50 percent of the vote plus one more vote.