Candidates seeking Democratic nominations to run for mayor and for North Ward alderman have been invited to speak at 6 tonight at the Jackson Street Community Center.

The Old Town Neighborhood Association organized the event, said Thelma Rush with the association.

Four men will be on the May 3 primary ballot for mayor – former Warren County District 2 Supervisor John Ferguson, 63; Eric Rawlings, 42, who ran unsuccessfully for the nomination four years ago; Warren County District 3 Supervisor Charles Selmon, 44, and first-time office-seeker John Shorter, 38, a contractor with the Corps of Engineers.

The winner that day or in a runoff will advance to the June 7 general election to face Republican Shirley Newman Smollen, 69, who is unchallenged for her party’s nomination, and independents Mayor Laurence Leyens, 40, and former Mayor Joe Loviza, 65.

The North Ward primary features incumbent Gertrude Young, 49; Warren County District 2 Supervisor Michael Mayfield, 47, and Rodney Dillamar, 45, a convenience store owner.

The May 3 winner who will advance to face independents in that race are city employee Vickie Bailey, 36, construction worker Tommie Rawlings, 41, and Republican Carl Yelverton, 58, a security guard at a local casino.

There are two Democratic hopefuls in the South Ward, former police officer DaVon Grey, 46, and local hair dresser Pam Johnson, 39. They were not invited.

The winner between Grey and Johnson will face incumbent Sid Beauman, 57, a Republican seeking his second term.