By JIM BUTLER 

Interim Mayor Joe Bishop drew two opponents in Wednesday qualifying for Pineville’s May 16 primary. 

Bishop, chosen mayor by the City Council in October 2024 to complete Rich Dupree’s term, is opposed by Chris Camp and Rusty Murdoch. All are Republicans. 

Qualifying for the primary runs through Friday afternoon. 

Two other interim officials qualified to seek full, elected terms. 

Randy O’Neal, No Party, District 1, and John Marcase, Republican, District 4, were appointed to succeed Mary Galloway and Tom Boucher respectfully. 

Two candidates filed to succeed the retiring Nathan Martin in District 5. Mark Mertens and Tom Murphy are both Republicans.  

Kevin Dorn, Democrat, filed to seek re-election in District 2. 

Hugh Halle, No Party, is a candidate in District 3.