BELHAVEN — The race for the mayor’s seat in Belhaven and spots on the town council has led one group of four to band together under the name of Belhaven United.

Belhaven United consists of Ricky Radcliffe, Ricky Credle, Shane Hubers and Vic Cox, who is seeking reelection.

Radcliffe will run against current Mayor Adam O’Neal. Hubers and Cox are running for the two seats on the east-end district on Belhaven’s Board of Aldermen, while Credle is running for the one available seat on the west-end district.

Although each is running separately, the men decided to come together because of their shared vision for the town of Belhaven, which they say is striving for the town’s successful future, better management, access to rural healthcare and fair utility and tax rates.

According to a promotional brochure for the candidates, Radcliffe stated that he wants to make the town of Belhaven a great place to live again, and his faith in God will play a large role of guidance if elected — a point echoed by Credle, who has lived in Belhaven for 42 years and has experience with accounting.

“With (God’s) guidance and strength, we can come together as friends and neighbors to make Belhaven a great place for our children and grandchildren to call home,” Radcliffe was quoted as saying on the brochure.

Vic Cox is the incumbent of the group and has served on the council for the past four years and stated on the brochure that he wants to increase the number of jobs in the area and attract business. Cox grew up in Belhaven and is the owner of Fish Hooks, a restaurant on East Main Street.

Shane Hubers said he had never considered running for a spot on the council, but after speaking with the others in Belhaven United, he found the group was on the same page. He said he feels like they can make a difference in the town.

“I get the feeling the town’s feeling disconnected as far as operating the town and having a voice,” he said. “I didn’t feel like I had a voice. … I didn’t feel like the money was being used wisely.”

Hubers said he feels God has led all four men to come together to create this group and try to change some of the ways the town is currently run.

“We all feel the same way and we support Ricky,” he said. “We’ve all prayed about this a lot. … We just really feel that God has led us to do this.”

Another idea behind the formation of Belhaven United is that if voters do not know one candidate, then they will have an idea about what that candidate believes based on the group’s bonding together.

“We’re there to work for the people,” Hubers said. “That’s what I want to do.”

He said each one of the members of Belhaven United is willing to work with whoever else is elected and just wants what is best for the town.

“I think there’s so much potential for this town. I think it’s just not been tapped into,” Hubers said. “I’d like to build that for my grandkids or other people’s kids or grandkids.”

In order to officially kick off Belhaven United’s campaign, the group has decided to hold a rally at the Wilkinson Center in Belhaven on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 5:30 p.m.