Vickie D. King/The Clarion-Ledger Incumbent Clinton Mayor Rosemary Aultman takes care of paperwork at her office at City Hall on Wednesday morning.   AULTMAN Three-term mayor seeks a fourth term. Age: 58 Education: Master's degree in education from the University of Southern Mississippi Family: Husband, Lester; two children

Rosemary Aultman wants a fourth term as Clinton's mayor but faces a challenge from Ward 3 Alderman Clint Brantley in Tuesday's Republican primary.

The winner will face Democrat Troy Holcomb, manager of a senior citizens apartment complex, and independent John Mosley, owner of Clinton Body Shop, in the June 7 general election.

Economic development is a key issue for the next leader of the city of about 24,000 people nestled to the west of Jackson.

"I'm running on my record; this election is about leadership and vision," said Aultman, who faces a primary opponent for the first time since she won mayoral race in 1993. "I have produced results."

One of Aultman's accomplishments was the 1.2-mile, $10 million Clinton Parkway, completed in 2001. The roadway connects north and south Clinton.

But Aultman also has been criticized in her third term — for the city's pursuit to force a family to remove an elaborate treehouse from its front yard. The case went to the state Supreme Court, which ruled in December the treehouse could stay.

Aultman said the city pursued the case to protect its zoning ordinances.

Brantley, a retired Entergy supervisor, said he has the reputation of a good listener. "Citizen input is critical and the way they have input is to elect individuals with the citizen's best interest in mind — someone who is willing to listen and act in their best interest," he said.

Vickie D. King/The Clarion-Ledger Clinton Ward 3 Alderman and GOP mayoral challenger Clint Brantley (left) discusses issues with Roy Bertelmann on Wednesday morning.   BRANTLEY Age: 64 Education: Attended Hinds Community College; obtained two degrees in electronics Family: Wife, Anita; two children

Brantley, first elected in 1997 as alderman, said he is running on a platform of aggressively pursuing economic development.

"Without economic development, we can't keep the number of teachers and adequately fund our educational system," he said.

Brantley said Clinton must be able to compete economically with cities such as Madison and Ridgeland.

Aultman, a former teacher and school board member, said the city is poised for growth despite losing its designation as home to WorldCom's headquarters after an accounting scandal led to the company filing for bankruptcy.

Aultman said a library is being planned for the city. She also said the completion of the gap of the Natchez Trace between Ridgeland and Clinton potentially could bring 3.5 million visitors through the city.

Redevelopment of Olde Towne Clinton, the downtown area, also is a goal, she said.

The city also has ward races. Only Ward 6 is unopposed. In the races:

Fast fact The mayor's four-year position in Clinton pays $65,000 annually. The four-year alderman post pays $12,500 a year.