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Election results

Gulfport

By JADE JACKSON LLOYD
Published March 9, 2005

The City Council has two new members.

Voters elected Michele King, 57, Tuesday night to fill the Ward 2 seat. King, a first-time commissioner, beat out challengers Christine Brown, 43, and Joyce McMahon, 64, for the spot.

King, a real estate agent, ran unsuccessfully for the same seat in 1998 and for the state Legislature in 2000. She earned 673 votes to Brown's 540 and McMahon's 198, according to the county's elections Web site Tuesday night.

Mary Stull was unopposed for the other open seat

Before the election, King said she wants to revisit the failed human rights ordinance from last year and focus on the city's growth and development.

King could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

The commissioners serve two-year terms. They each represent one of four wards, but are elected by voters citywide.

Residents also voted yes on three charter amendments Tuesday.

Now, an election will be required if two or more seats become vacant at once on the council, instead of the previous three or more.

Special elections of council members will be allowed only when the charter permits such an election, instead of at any time.

Finally, the City Council will have to request voters' approval only on improvements or projects that will cost more than $500,000.

Previously, the council had to seek voter approval if spending more than $150,000 of property taxes on any improvement or project.

[Last modified March 9, 2005, 00:55:19]