Most Mississippi cities are holding party primaries Tuesday that are the first step toward electing mayors.

Runoffs are May 19, the general elections are June 2 and the terms begin July 6.

Jackson Mayor Frank Melton faces nine opponents in the Democratic primary, including a former mayor, a current state senator and a current City Council member.

The primary comes the week before Melton and a former police bodyguard are set to stand trial for a second time in federal court on charges that they damaged a duplex Melton considered a crack house.

Gulfport Mayor Brent Warr chose not to seek re-election after he and his wife were charged in a federal fraud case linked to Hurricane Katrina home repair. They have pleaded not guilty.