Candidates have yet to qualify for municipal offices, but they are raising money in bids for city posts later this summer.

In the mayoral races, three candidates have declared they will seek outgoing mayor Howard Shell’s spot. Lloyd Albritton is leading in the money race, collecting $4,810 from January through May, according to campaign reports on file at the probate judge’s office.

Jim Staff, a current council member running for mayor, has raised $2,926 since January, the bulk of it contributed by himself.
And Bernard Bishop reported raising $800 in the first five months of the year.

Candidates have mainly spent money on advertising and print materials.

In council races, most candidates have either not filed reports because they did not meet the required contribution threshhold or they reported no contributions.

But in the District 4 race, in which Susan Smith and Larry Clyde Houck are seeking to replace retiring John Garrard, Houck has contributed $1,550 to his own campaign and Smith reported contributions of $200.

Other candidates vying for City Council seats include: Chris Harrison, Gregg Akins and Michael Arnold in District 5; Chad Thrower and incumbent Webb Nall in District 1. Currently no candidates have officially announced any intention to oppose councilmen Cornell Torrence or Chris Walker id districts 2 and 3 respectively.

Qualifying for this year’s municipal elections will begin Tuesday, July 3. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, with a run-off set for Tuesday Oct. 9 if needed.