Formerly disqualified candidate speaks out after qualifying for Gulfport Ward 5 primary

A candidate disqualified just days ago in the special election for Gulfport City Council Ward 5 has now qualified to run in April’s Republican Primary for the next four-year term.

On Tuesday the Gulfport Municipal Election Commission denied Derek Bullock’s appeal to run for the Ward 5 City Council seat, claiming Bullock had not lived in the ward long enough to qualify as a candidate. Now according to the Election Commission’s chairman, Ferrell Alman, on Friday the Gulfport Republican Municipal Executive Committee has now qualified Bullock to run in the party’s primary election in April.

Derek Bullock sent a statement to WXXV on Friday’s announcement saying,

“The City committee made the lawful decision the first time, before colluding to keep me off the special election ballot. The Republican Commission was very professional and thorough in their understanding of the facts and I’m proud of their decision. This only vindicates me and shows the voters how corrupt Gulfport has become. The sellers campaign challenged the decision, but failed, and are linked to the former councilman. I ran for council in this area 4 years ago and carried this ballot. Trying to eliminate the competition is dirty politics and I’d encourage every voter to vote for change with Bullock, not another dirty politician.”