Gulfport Cancels March Elections
Mayor Henderson and Councilmembers Thanos and Ray Re-Elected by Default By Mike Sunnucks
Gulfport has canceled its municipal election in March. Three seats were open for the March 15, 2022 city election but no candidates filed by the Dec. 13 deadline to challenge Mayor Sam Henderson and city council members April Thanos (Ward I) and Paul Ray (Ward III). The trio of incumbents were the only candidates to file and qualify for the 2022 ballot, according to the city. Because they are unopposed the city will not hold March election, and the incumbents will get reelected, according to City Clerk Lesley DeMuth.
“Competition is at the heart of American culture,” Simek said. He blamed the pay Gulfport elected officials receive for the lack of new candidates for public office. The city pays the mayor $14,400 annually. Council members get paid $10,800 per year, according to the city clerk’s office. “Very few people want to subject themselves to (what) I would argue (is) the thanklessness of your position for less than minimum wage,” Simek said. Henderson said the council has looked at higher pay before. “We have actually gone through Voters first elected Henderson the process of suggesting raises a mayor in 2013. Thanos won her city couple of times. It was not a big hit, council seat in 2020. Ray began as I recall,” Henderson said at the serving on council in 2018. council meeting. The clerk will swear them into their The city last increased the mayor new terms in and council’s pay in “We have actually gone 2017. April. G u l f p o r t through the process of Henderson said the resident Greg suggesting raises a cou- toxic nature of politics Simek is con- ple of times. It was not a could also be discourcerned no one aging civic involvebig hit as I recall.” filed to run in ment. opposition to the three incumbents. “I think the political climate is so “That’s egregiously bad that not unpleasant right now. I think that one single person submitted anypeople might not want to put themthing to run,” Simek said during the selves out there for it,” the mayor Dec. 21 council meeting. “Competisaid. tion is a really good thing. Competi Thanos also brought up potentialtion spurs progress.” ly looking at term limits or changing He said competition encourages the length of terms for elected offiforward thinking and progress at cials. The mayor serves a three-year numerous levels – including governterm and city council members each ment. serve two-year terms.
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theGabber.com | January 6, 2021 - January 12, 2022
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