A third candidate has filed qualifying papers to run for McComb mayor.
Political newcomer Trischell L. Veal is running for office as a Democrat.
Veal filed for office Friday. Her primary opponents are incumbent Mayor Quordiniah Lockley and Selectman at-large Donovan Hill, both Democrats.
The qualifying deadline is March 1. The primary is May 3, with runoffs May 17, if necessary. The general election is June 21.
Veal said she plans to focus on children if elected.
“One thing I could say is I see a lot of deficiencies in our area and this community I reflect on,” she said. “I understand normally it is a ‘retirement’ community, but they do have people of different age, ethnicity and backgrounds. I feel like it needs to be more flexible and have more things to do.”
Veal said she sees a lot of economic opportunity with Uptown McComb mall in the community.
“I feel like we have a lot of potential here in McComb in a diversity of areas.”
Veal, a New Orleans native, is owner of Southern Complimentary Health & Wellness in McComb, is a minister and a naturopath, which is someone who promotes natural remedies to help the body heal itself.
She relocated to McComb after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
“I never served in government,” she said. “I actually fought against this for a long time. However, there was a past mayor, not of McComb, that told me I missed my calling.”
When it comes to Veal’s plans as mayor, she plans to follow the Scripture, “Be slow to speak and quick to listen.”
“I’m a woman of faith and I let God actually need me,” she said.
Other candidates are:
• Shawn Williams, selectman at-large. Williams is the current Ward 4 selectman.
• Monica Dillon, selectman at-large.
• Tabitha Felder Isaac, selectman at-large.
• Melvin Joe Johnson, selectman at-large. Johnson is a former Ward 4 selectman.
• Lynn Martin, Ward 2 selectman.
• Incumbent Ward 3 Selectman Devante Johnson.
• AC Butler, Ward 3 selectman.
• Terri Waterman-Baylor, Ward 3 selectman.
• John L. Bates, Ward 4 selectman.
• Gerald Barnes, Ward 4 selectman.
• Eddie Thompson, Ward 4 selectman.
• Ward 5 incumbent Selectman Ronnie Brock.
All candidates who have filed so far are running as Democrats.
