Barbara Gauntt/The Clarion-Ledger Poll worker Sandra Evans leans forward to hear a voter's name while working the primary election at the polling place at Wildwood Baptist Church in Clinton. Rosemary Aultmain retained in mayoral post Tuesday.   Candidates Rosemary Aultman (i) 3,116 Clint Brantley 2,295 6 of 6 precincts reporting

A treehouse controversy couldn't stop Rosemary Aultman from climbing her first hurdle Tuesday toward a fourth term as mayor of Clinton.

In Tuesday's Republican mayoral primary, Aultman defeated Ward 3 Alderman Clint Brantley in unofficial returns.

But Aultman must defeat two opponents in the June 7 general election to return to the office she has held since 1993.

Aultman, 58, will face Democrat Troy Holcomb, manager of a senior citizens apartment complex, and independent John Mosley, owner of Clinton Body Shop, in the general election for another four-year term in the $65,000-a-year post.

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

The city is poised for economic and residential growth, Aultman said.

Aultman received some criticism during her third term — for the city's pursuit to force a family to remove an elaborate treehouse — but voters apparently overlooked the controversy in supporting Aultman.

Aultman said her vision for the future of the city includes a new library, implementation of a Northside corridor project, construction of a new park and revitalization of Traceway Park.

"We will take a couple days off and we will hit the ground running Monday for the general election," Aultman said. "We will ask Brantley's voters for their support. We have so much going for us in Clinton."

One of Aultman's accomplishments was the 1.2-mile, $10 million, north-south corridor that came into fruition in 2001.

Brantley congratulated Aultman.

"We gave it a great effort," Brantley said. "I will find another way to serve the people."