A fourth Democrat may enter the race to unseat current Lawrence County Commissioner Bill Pratt.

On Thursday, Ironton area businessman Tim Edwards picked up a petition to run for the seat in the 2016 primary election. Edwards first entered the local political scene when he ran against Republican commissioner incumbent Freddie Hayes in 2014, losing 8,597 to 5,698.

If all four Democrats file their petitions, the 2016 primary will be a contest among Edwards, former county commissioner Doug Malone, businessman and activist Jon Ferguson and former Elizabeth Township Trustee Ron Davis.

Right now Pratt may only face former Ironton teacher and coach, Charles Kitchen, in the Republican primary. This election will be Pratt’s attempt for his second four-year term. The Chesapeake dairy farmer was first appointed to the commission by the Republican central committee in 2011 when Jason Stephens gave up his seat on the commission to take over as the county auditor.

The other commission seat up in 2016 is held by Republican incumbent Les Boggs, who so far is the only one to pick up a petition for that race.

Candidates wanting to be on the primary 2016 ballot must file their petitions by Dec. 9.