Alderman Bob Tullock Back on the Ballot

Ward 1 Alderman Bob Tullock has run for office in Manchester for a decade. Once again, he is back on the ballot.

Tullock did not return Patch's calls requesting an interview for a candidate profile, but the following is a breakdown of his election history, according to Manchester city records.

• 2001- Ran for alderman and lost
• 2002 - Ran for alderman and lost
• 2003 - Ran for alderman and lost
• 2004 - Elected alderman
• 2006 - Elected alderman
• 2007 - While a sitting alderman, Tullock ran as a write-in candidate for the other Ward 1 seat and lost. Tullock remained alderman in his current seat.
• 2008 - Ran for both alderman and mayor seats and was disqualified from election for running for both.
• 2009 - Ran for alderman and won election by two votes.
• 2010- While serving as alderman, ran against current Mayor David Willson and lost the mayor race. Tullock remained alderman.
• 2011 - Running for alderman.

Although unavailable for an interview for this article, Tullock previously told Patch one of his highest priorities is keeping the city budget in check. He's been accused of holding the city back from approving the 2011 budget at recent board meetings, but Tullock said he does not want the city to have to raise taxes or cut services, and the only way to do this is by scrutinizing the budget.

“One of the biggest things this year is keeping a real close eye of where the dollars are being spent so we don’t end up in bankruptcy,” Tullock said. “At the rate we are going, we are either going to have to cut services or increase taxes."

Tullock said he represents the wishes of his constituents, and if elected, he will not vote on legislation simply because it’s popular.

“I look at the issue, and I don’t vote for or against any ordinance just because it is the popular thing to do, or to be part of the good old boys club,” Tullock said. “I have never been part of that. I never will be." 

Tullock also filed a lawsuit against the board of aldermen over the board president title. He said he was unfairly stripped of that title last year. The lawsuit was dismissed by the court on March 18.

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