With just days left in the qualifying period, 18 people have qualified to run for a municipal office in Brookhaven. As of 3 p.m. Monday, only one alderman was running unopposed — Ward 4’s incumbent, Jeff Henning.

Thursday, Jan. 2, was the first official day of qualifying, and the deadline is Friday, Jan. 31, at 5 p.m. Primary Election Day is Tuesday, April 1. If a runoff is needed, it will take place April 22. The General Election will follow on June 3. Elected officials will take office on July 1.

If no additional qualifiers toss their hats into this political arena, only one seat will be determined by the Republican Primary. Ward 5 incumbent Fletcher Grice will face a contester in Tristan Peavey. Henning will keep his Ward 4 seat if he remains unopposed.

In the Democratic Primary, four seats could be determined on the board, and the field will narrow for the office of mayor in the General Election. Ward 1 incumbent James Magee Jr. will face James Payton; Ward 2 incumbent Shannon Moore will face Ann Wilson; and Ward 3 incumbent Charles J. Caston Sr. will face challenger Jennifer Howard Tate.

Ward 6 incumbent Andre’ Spiller will be met by Alan “Trey” Henderson and Burnell Robinson.

Vying on the Democrat ticket for mayor are Larry Jointer, Kychell Little, and Jerry Kelly.

Runoffs are possible in these two races.

Only two posts will be determined in the General Election: alderman-at-large and mayor. Incumbent Alderman-at-large Don Underwood, a Republican, will face off with whoever wins in the Democrat Primary between Jeffery Jordan and Ronald L. Hines. Incumbent Mayor Joe Cox, also a Republican, will be met by whoever is triumphant on the Democrat Primary ticket between Jointer, Little and Kelly.

Municipal general elections are decided on plurality, meaning the candidate with the most votes wins, even if it is well below 50% plus one.

According to the City Clerk’s Office, the following people have qualified as candidates:

Mayor — Joe C. Cox (Rep., incumbent); Larry Jointer (Dem.); Kychell Little (Dem.); Jerry Kelly (Dem.)

Ward 1 Alderman — James Magee Jr. (Dem., incumbent); James Payton (Dem.)

Ward 2 Alderman — Shannon Moore (Dem., incumbent); Ann Wilson (Dem.)

Ward 3 Alderman — Rev. Charles J. Caston Sr. (Dem., incumbent); Jennifer Howard Tate (Dem.)

Ward 4 Alderman — Jeff Henning (Rep., incumbent)

Ward 5 Alderman — Fletcher Grice (Rep., incumbent); Tristan Peavey (Rep.)

Ward 6 Alderman — Andre’ Spiller Sr. (Dem., incumbent); Alan “Trey” Henderson (Dem.); Burnell Robinson (Dem.)

Alderman-at-Large — Don Underwood (Rep., incumbent); Jeffery Jordan (Dem.); Ronald L. Hines (Dem.)