It's official. The race is under way for the Ironton mayor's office.

Charles D. "Duke" Sheridan, 57, became the first candidate to throw his hat in the ring this morning by filing nominating papers Thursday morning at the Lawrence County Board of Elections.

Although current Mayor Robert Cleary said he plans to run for the office again, Cleary said he does not plan on filing until closer to the August deadline.

No other candidates have publicly expressed plans to run. The non-partisan election will be held in November.

Sheridan, a funeral director and insurance salesman, said the current state of the city forced him to run for mayor.

"I feel like a ballplayer just sitting on the sidelines, sitting on the bench, watching the game and losing the game," Sheridan said, explaining why he wanted to be the next Ironton mayor. "I know my true compassion is for this city and as your mayor I will be off the bench and running the ball for my fellow citizens to help Ironton and its stability."

Sheridan said one of his first acts, if were elected mayor, would be to establish a fund with the purpose of "training and retaining its residents" to provide "hometown people with hometown jobs."

In an effort to make his fund work, Sheridan said he would personally give up $10,000 from the mayor's salary for the project.

Sheridan, an Ironton native, said he comes from a long line of Ironton merchants and politicians.

His uncles, Louis L. Sheridan Jr. and Billy Pat Sheridan were both in politics.

Louis was city prosecutor judge and Billy was a two-term Ironton mayor.

A graduate of Saint Lawrence-Saint Joseph and Ironton High, Charles "Duke" Sheridan said his love of Ironton and his strong Christian faith will help him lead Ironton.

Sheridan is a U.S. Navy veteran and a member of Saint Joseph Church. He is the father of three children.

"I was the first to pick up (petitions), I was the first to file, and I hope to be first at the end," Sheridan said.