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POINT PLEASANT — City of Point Pleasant Democrats have nominated candidates to go up against Republicans in the upcoming municipal election.

The Point Pleasant Democratic Committee had planned to hold its convention in the Mason County Circuit Court courtroom Tuesday evening but due to a scheduling “snafu” concerning courtroom use, the Dems held their convention in the lobby on the second floor of the Mason County Courthouse.

However, the “snafu” was taken in stride and as Democratic Chairman Dennis Rayburn put it, “Being Democrats, we’re used to working with what we have.”

Once the convention was under way, candidates were nominated for mayor, city clerk, council-at-large and council members in the first, second, third, fourth, sixth, seventh and eighth city wards. The Democrats have 24 hours from the time of Tuesday’s convention to find a candidate to fill a slot for the fifth ward. Several people stepped up to help find this candidate including former Mayor Jim Wilson and former Councilman Ronnie Kapp.

The following candidates were nominated to run in the upcoming city election: Tom McNeely, mayor; Brandy Barkey-Sweeney, city clerk; Kevin Nott and Ashley Wood, council-at-large seats; Jim Fetty, council member, first ward; Danny Spurlock, council member, second ward; Allen J. Moran, council member, third ward; Brandon Sweeney, council member, fourth ward; Brook Kapp, council member, sixth ward; Randy Hall, council member, seventh ward; Jacob Hill, council member, eighth ward.

Also, members of the convention elected Ronnie Kapp as president of the Point Pleasant Democratic Committee.

Democrats will be facing off with the following Republicans on May 8 - Mayor Brian Billings; City Clerk Amber Tatterson; Janet Hartley and Charles Towner, council-at-large seats; Doug Tawney (first ward); Councilman Robert Doeffinger (second ward); Mary Perdue (third ward); Keith Sargent (fourth ward); Councilwoman Elaine Hunt (fifth ward); Councilwoman Linda Smith (sixth ward); Bob Rulen (seventh ward); and Rick Simpkins (eighth ward).

The GOP currently has an advantage in city government with the mayor, city clerk, one council-at-large seat and council seats in six of the eight wards. Of course, city democrats are hoping to change those numbers in May.

If a democratic candidate for the fifth ward is nominated, the Point Pleasant Register will report it as soon as the information becomes available. Also appearing at the Democratic Convention, Jimmie Wood of Point Pleasant, candidate for House of Delegates, 14th District.