Ryan Gene Fulkerson

A sixth candidate has entered the race for Bowling Green City Commission.

Ryan Gene Fulkerson, 35, is a Bowling Green native and attorney. He previously served as a public defender and is now in private practice.

Fulkerson, who filed to run Thursday, said his top priorities as a commissioner would be to continue the commercial development of downtown Bowling Green, work to get commercial air service to the city and pass a fairness ordinance that would bar discrimination based on sexual identity.

Fulkerson, a graduate of Bowling Green High School, Western Kentucky University and the University of Notre Dame law school, said he decided to run because “I feel people in Bowling Green don’t feel real involvement” with city government, he said. “There’s a big disconnect.

“I want people to feel they have a voice (outside the) entrenched good ol’ boys network,” he said.

Fulkerson said he would work to make downtown “a center for economic activity for Bowling Green.”

As for the fairness ordinance, he pointed to the repeated failed attempts by supporters of such a law to have it considered by the current commission.

“It wouldn’t cost the city any money,” he said, and would indicate that the city is a welcoming place.

Commission incumbents Joe Denning, Rick Williams and Sue Parrigin have filed for re-election for two-year terms. Commissioner Melinda Hill is not seeking re-election after announcing that she would seek, as a Republican, the state House seat held by Democrat Jody Richards.

Bowling Green attorney Dan Rudloff and advertising agency owner Nathan “Nate” Morguelan have also filed to run for the commission.

The top four voter getters in the November election will earn commission seats.

— Follow city government reporter Wes Swietek on Twitter at twitter.com/BGDNgovtbeat or visit bgdailynews.com.