Dick Molpus

Last updated

Representative Wayne Dowdy defeated Molpus for the Democratic senatorial nomination in the 1988 election. Wayne Dowdy-100th Congress (1987).jpeg
Representative Wayne Dowdy defeated Molpus for the Democratic senatorial nomination in the 1988 election.

Molpus stated in 1987, that he would consider running in the 1988 U.S. Senate election, if John C. Stennis chose not to seek reelection, and campaign correspondence in October showed his interest in running. [95] [96] Stennis stated that he would not run for reelection in the 1988 election. Molpus announced his campaign for the Democratic senatorial nomination on December 1, 1987, with Crews, who worked as Winter's press secretary, as his campaign manager. He was criticized for running for another office as he was reelected in 1987. [97] [98] He faced U.S. Representative Wayne Dowdy in the primary. Both men stressed the need for better educational opportunities and economic development. Dowdy won the Democratic nomination. [99] During the campaign he criticized Dowdy for his low voting attendance of 68 percent, a line of rhetoric which was later used by Republican nominee Trent Lott in the general election. [100] Molpus ended his campaign with the third highest debt for any 1988 senatorial candidate in the country at $356,700 (equivalent to $948,356in 2024). [101] His outstanding campaign debt and obligations was $439,776 in 1989. [102]

1995 gubernatorial campaign

Molpus ran against Kirk Fordice (pictured) in the 1995 gubernatorial election. Kirk Fordice at podium cropped.jpg
Molpus ran against Kirk Fordice (pictured) in the 1995 gubernatorial election.

In 1995, Molpus ran for the office of Governor of Mississippi. Easily winning the August 8 Democratic primary over evangelist Shawn O'Hara with 77.1 percent of the vote, he faced Republican incumbent Kirk Fordice in the general election. [103] Molpus sought to prevail with a coalition of blacks, white progressives, and possibly white blue collar workers. [47] By the 1990s, Mississippi's politics were trending in an increasingly conservative direction and the interest in reform initiated by Winter's administration was fading. [21] Fordice's position was bolstered by the improving economic and fiscal situation of the state in the 1990s, and early polls indicated that he had a large lead. [104] Since both men faced minimal opposition for their party's nominations, they were able to concentrate their rhetoric on each other early in their campaigns. [105] Anticipating that Molpus would campaign on education improvements, Fordice proposed a conservative education plan [106] which entailed allowing local school districts to fund private schools with state funds. [107] Molpus argued that such a scheme would undermine public schools. [104] [106]

During the election, Molpus campaigned for reductions in sales tax on food and government expenditure while proposing the issuing of bonds to finance economic development. [108] Fordice characterized Molpus' tax plans as inconsistent, given his earlier support for a sales tax increase in 1992. [109] The campaign was marked by personal animosity between the candidates. [104] Fordice portrayed statements from Molpus on the governor's policies as veiled attacks on Fordice's troubled marriage and claimed that as the Secretary of State was responsible for overseeing elections, Malpus should resign due to a conflict of interest. Malpus rejected the accusation of making personal attacks and refused to resign, calling the suggestion "ridiculous". [105] [110]

Results of the 1995 Mississippi gubernatorial election by county

.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}
Molpus--50-60%
Molpus--60-70%
Molpus--70-80%
Molpus--80-90% 1995 Mississippi gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
Results of the 1995 Mississippi gubernatorial election by county
  Molpus—50-60%
  Molpus—60-70%
  Molpus—70-80%
  Molpus—80-90%

Both men participated in the first-ever political debate held at the Neshoba County Fair in August. [111] A bitter exchange occurred after the moderator questioned Fordice about his troubled marriage, with Fordice answering in defense of himself while pointing his finger at Molpus. Molpus said to the governor, "Your private life doesn't interest me ... Your public life is what appalls me," causing the crowd to go into uproar. [112] In reference to the 1964 Mississippi Burning murders, Fordice said, "I'll tell you this. I don't believe we need to keep running this state by Mississippi Burning and apologizing for what happened 30 years ago. This is the '90s. This is now. We are on a roll. We've got the best race relations in the United States of America." [113] He finished his remarks by saying, "Never apologize! Never look back! Forward together!" [114] Molpus responded by referring to his 1989 speech, "I apologized to the family, the mother and father and sisters of those three young men who lost their life in Mississippi. I make no apologies to you about that... Kirk Fordice leads more by venom than vision." [113] In a subsequent interview, he accused the governor of being "openly antagonistic to blacks." [114]

In October Molpus' campaign ran a television advertisement featuring his wife criticizing Fordice's education policies. Fordice subsequently mocked her voice at a lunch with journalists. Molpus denounced Fordice's mimicry, saying "Frankly, I'd like to take him out behind the woodshed." [115] Several days later, Fordice approached Molpus after a televised appearance and told him, "This 61-year-old man will take you to the woodshed and I'll whip your ass". [116] Molpus hoped to leverage the incident to his advantage by appealing to more women voters, [104] presenting himself as a gentlemen acting in defense of his wife's honor. A poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Political/Media Research in late October showed the margins of support between the two candidates narrowing, with Molpus having picked up additional support from women. [115]

Molpus lost the November 7 election to Fordice, who earned 455,261 votes (55.6 percent). Molpus earned only 364,210 votes (44.4 percent), [103] though he received about 25,000 more votes than Democrat Mabus had in 1991. He garnered less than 20 percent of the white vote while Fordice won fifty-one of the fifty-eight majority white counties, [116] [117] but won twenty-one of the state's twenty-four majority black counties. [117] Some observers suggested that white voters wanted to "punish" him for his 1989 comments on the Mississippi Burning murders. [118] [119] Molpus' supporters accused Fordice of prevailing due to the use of racist dog whistles. [117]

Business career and later life

Molpus (right) at the Neshoba County Fair in 2015 Neshoba County Fair (14832486573).jpg
Molpus (right) at the Neshoba County Fair in 2015

In 1993 Molpus, having already planned to run for governor in 1995, considered pursuing a career in timberland investment management in the event his political ambitions faltered. Following his loss in the gubernatorial race, in 1996 he took out a loan and established the Molpus Woodlands Group (MWG). [120] At the time, it was one of eight timberland investment management organizations in the country. The corporation was to operate by purchasing and managing timberlands on behalf of investors. [8] The company acquired its first client the following year and purchased several thousand acres of timberland. Between 1998 and 2000, MWG acquired 545,000 acres in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana and Texas. The following year it signed its first contracts with large corporate clients, and by 2004 it was the largest timberland investment management organization in the Southern United States. [7] In 2016 Molpus was made chairman of a trade industry organization, the National Alliance of Forest Owners. [121]

In 2004 Molpus helped create the Philadelphia Coalition, an interracial group designed to promote racial justice. [122] That year he also helped organize the 50th anniversary commemoration of the Mississippi Burning murders, and spoke in favor of state and local efforts to reexamine and prosecute the case. [123] The following year, he was inducted into the Mississippi Business Hall of Fame. In 2006 he co-chaired a bond issue campaign for the Jackson Public School District. [124] That year President George W. Bush appointed Molpus chairman of the board of the United States Endowment for Forestry and Communities, a nonprofit created under the terms of the Softwood Lumber Agreement between the United States and Canada designed to promote sustainable forestry and to promote economic development in timber-reliant communities. [125] He was declared one of the Mississippi Center for Justice's "Champions of Justice" in 2008. [124] In 2012, he called for Attorney General Eric Holder to block Mississippi's new voter ID law stating that it violated the Voting Rights Act. [126]

During the February 20, 2013 episode of the satirical news television program The Daily Show , host Jon Stewart satirized Mississippi for failing to fully ratify the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution officially banning slavery until that year. An earlier attempt to ratify the amendment was made in 1995, but the ratification papers—for which the Mississippi Secretary of State was responsible—were never received by the federal government. [127] Molpus maintained that his office had sent copies of the documents to the Congressional Record and U.S. Senate leaders and "somewhere in between there and Archives, it disappeared." [128] Stewart mockingly suggested that Molpus had deliberately forestalled the process by destroying the papers. Molpus was shocked by the insinuation, and received numerous emails and phone calls from associates who felt he had been portrayed unfairly. [127] Some people posted defenses of Molpus on the internet. [128] Stewart apologized for the joke the following week, [127] saying his show had erred in using "Dick Molpus ... as an avatar for racial bigotry, forgetting, perhaps that Dick Molpus is a real person with a real record on civil rights" [129] and praised him for having "a long and distinguished record of speaking out for civil rights in Mississippi." [128] Molpus said, "I accept his apology ... I was so lifted up by the people of Mississippi that kind of rose to my defense." [128]

Molpus supported Doug Jones in Alabama's 2017 U.S. Senate special election, stating that he was a "Southern hero". [130]

References

  1. Braddock's Directory 1989, p. 724.
  2. "Miss Frances Blount, Richard H. Molpus Take Nuptial Vows". The Clarion-Ledger . March 16, 1941. p. 22. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 3 "Dick Molpus Appointed To Winter's Staff". Scott County Times. November 28, 1979. p. 9. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  4. Ball 2006, p. 76.
  5. 1 2 "Sally Nash Betrothed To Richard Molpus Jr". The Clarion-Ledger . May 2, 1971. p. 80. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Molpus To Speak On Crucial Issues". The Newton Record. September 8, 1982. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  7. 1 2 Jeter, Lynne (May 2, 2005). "Molpus family celebrates 100 years in timber business". The Mississippi Business Journal. Vol. 27, no. 18. p. 16. ProQuest   206575825
  8. 1 2 3 Jeter, Lynne Wilbanks (July 20, 1998). "Molpus turns attention from politics to TIMOs". The Mississippi Business Journal. Vol. 20, no. 29. p. 24. ProQuest   206574977
  9. "Molpus Named State's Small Businessman". The Union Appeal. May 21, 1970. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  10. Dement 2014, p. 245.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Allison, Glen (March 1987). "A Boost for Business". The Mississippi Business Journal. Vol. 9, no. 3. p. 16. ProQuest   206563167
  12. "Morton Chamber Meets; New Directors Elected". Scott County Times. October 31, 1973. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  13. Bolton 2013, p. 135.
  14. 1 2 3 Shaw, Robert (November 24, 1979). "Winter picks businessman to coordinate federal-state programs". Hattiesburg American . Associated Press. p. 2. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  15. Bolton 2013, p. 186.
  16. Weide, Wayne (March 27, 1983). "He can't run, but Winter's aides might still try to ride his coattails". The Clarion-Ledger . p. 73. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  17. "Dick Molpus To Resign". The Clarke County Tribune. May 5, 1983. p. 13. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  18. 1 2 3 "Early on, Molpus learned life filled with twists and turns". The Mississippi Business Journal. May 30, 2005. Retrieved February 26, 2013 via Goliath.[ dead link ]
  19. Bolton 2013, pp. 221, 228.
  20. Nash & Taggart 2009, pp. 139, 143–144.
  21. 1 2 George 2015, p. 183.
  22. Nash & Taggart 2009, pp. 160–161.
  23. "Secretary of State". The Clarion-Ledger . January 30, 1983. p. 24. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  24. Pittman, Paul (February 13, 1983). "Winter isn't fading in the homestretch". The Clarion-Ledger . p. 67. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  25. "Molpus resigns from state post". The Greenwood Commonwealth. April 28, 1983. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  26. "Winter staffer to run for secretary of state". The Clarion-Ledger . May 17, 1983. p. 17. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  27. "Endorsements". The Clarion-Ledger . July 29, 1983. p. 17. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  28. "State AFL-CIO supports Allain candidacy". The Sun. September 12, 1983. p. 8. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  29. "Dick Molpus wins party nomination". Enterprise-Journal. August 24, 1983. p. 5. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  30. Hilliard, Laurence (August 23, 1983). "Secretary of state's race calm due to mutual respect". Hattiesburg American . p. 3. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  31. Weidie, Wayne W. (October 20, 1993). "Gilbreath waging aggressive statewide campaign". Simpson County News. p. 2A. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  32. 1 2 3 Nash & Taggart 2009, p. 160.
  33. McIntosh, Shawn (May 6, 1987). "Secretary of State Dick Molpus to run for re-election". The Clarion-Ledger . p. 21. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  34. "Molpus: Plans for 1991 are re-election". The Clarksdale Press Register . October 14, 1989. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  35. "Secretary of State job interests Harrison clerk". Sun Herald . January 12, 1991. p. 15. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  36. "Victory comes easy for Molpus, Bennett". The Clarion-Ledger . September 18, 1991. p. 10. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  37. "Voters facing a handful of races". Enterprise-Journal. November 3, 1991. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  38. 1 2 Oppel, Tom (January 5, 1984). "Molpus reorganizes office, names top assistants". The Clarion-Ledger . p. 20. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  39. "Molpus reorganizes office". The Yazoo Herald. January 7, 1984. p. 10. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  40. "NAACP official says Allain snubs blacks for job posts". The Greenwood Commonwealth. Associated Press. March 20, 1984. p. 6. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  41. Whitlinger 2015, pp. 656–657.
  42. George 2015, p. 185.
  43. Whitlinger 2015, pp. 657–658.
  44. 1 2 3 George 2015, p. 184.
  45. 1 2 Byrne, Carol (June 22, 1989). "Mississippi town simmers through day of martyrs, heroes". Star Tribune (metro ed.). p. 1A. ProQuest   418029818
  46. Ball 2006, p. 15.
  47. 1 2 George 2015, p. 187.
  48. Fentress, Ellen Ann (June 19, 2014). "Ending 50 years of silence about Mississippi's Freedom Summer". The Atlantic. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  49. Whitlinger 2015, p. 659.
  50. Ball 2006, pp. 16–17, 54.
  51. Sharon, Keith (July 15, 2021). "Can a community overcome its horrible past? An inside look at Philadelphia, MS". The Tennessean. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  52. "Dems choosing party chairman". The Clarion-Ledger . March 4, 1984. p. 19. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  53. "Molpus, Mabus endorse Espy". Hattiesburg American . Associated Press. October 4, 1986. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  54. Moreland, Steed & Baker 1994, p. 68.
  55. "State delegates from northeast arrive in New York, tout Clinton". Sun Herald . July 13, 1992. p. 18. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  56. "Secretary to secretarial: Molpus to delegate post". The Clarion-Ledger . July 14, 1992. p. 6. Archived from the original on June 22, 2022. Retrieved June 22, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  57. Bolton 2013, p. 256.
  58. "Rep. Epsy to lead Demo leadership council". Clarksdale Press Register . December 13, 1990. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 21, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  59. "Molpus elected Sec. of national organization". The Union Appeal. September 9, 1987. p. 4. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  60. "Molpus tapped as treasurer". Hattiesburg American . July 25, 1988. p. 5. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  61. "Molpus elected". The Clarksdale Press Register. Associated Press. July 21, 1989. p. 12. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  62. Dement 2014, p. 246.
  63. Holland, Gina (January 5, 1996). "State swears in seven Democrats to statewide offices". The Clarksdale Press Register. Associated Press. p. 5.
  64. 1 2 3 4 5 Young, Linda (July 20, 1992). "Molpus Makes His Agency Turn a $1.1 Million Profit". The Mississippi Business Journal. Vol. 14, no. 23. p. 1. ProQuest   206565191
  65. "This Week At Rotary". The Newton Record. February 6, 1985. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  66. "Molpus finds 20¢ leases". Hattiesburg American . Associated Press. May 7, 1985. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  67. "Molpus praises Lowndes". Hattiesburg American . September 29, 1985. p. 11. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  68. "Rent increase for 16th section land". Columbian-Progress. May 1, 1986. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  69. Williams, John (February 22, 1985). "16th Section leaseholders seek Molpus ethics probe". The Clarion-Ledger . p. 19. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  70. "Steve Turney (D)". Sun Herald . August 2, 1987. p. 82. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  71. "Ethics Commission dismisses complaint that Molpus mishandled 16 Section leases". The Clarion-Ledger . March 27, 1985. p. 15. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  72. "Turney says he's suing Molpus". Hattiesburg American . July 13, 1985. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  73. Farrell, David (September 24, 1985). "Turney lawyer: New lawsuit will challenge Molpus". Hattiesburg American . p. 3. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  74. "Turney files lawsuit to renegotiate leases". Hattiesburg American . Associated Press. November 2, 1985. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  75. "Turney's suit against Molpus fails". Enterprise-Journal. Associated Press. December 17, 1985. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  76. Sutley, Bill; Bellido, Susana (November 28, 1985). "Supreme Court OKs raise on 16th Section land lease". Hattiesburg American . p. 25. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  77. Skipper, Deborah (August 5, 1987). "Molpus crushes opponents in secretary of state race". The Clarion-Ledger . p. 17. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  78. "Molpus suggests education revenue go into trust fund". The Greenwood Commonwealth. Associated Press. April 24, 1984. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  79. Fentress, E.A.Q. (April 24, 1984). "Molpus on state's red ink: Reform Act isn't to blame". The Sun. p. 12. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  80. Warner, Coleman (April 24, 1984). "Molpus seeks trust fund". The Clarion-Ledger . p. 1. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  81. Applebome, Peter (April 16, 1997). "Mixed Results for Public School Proponents". The New York Times (late ed.). p. 9.
  82. 1 2 "Molpus names members of election task force". The Greenwood Commonwealth. Associated Press. June 19, 1984. p. 2. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  83. "Election law reforms sought". The Clarksdale Press Register. Associated Press. January 31, 1984. p. 5. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  84. "No more voting for individual electors". The Greenwood Commonwealth. August 30, 1984. p. 4. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  85. Krane & Shaffer 1992, p. 306.
  86. "Molpus appoints task force to streamline election systems and software". The Clarion-Ledger . Associated Press. June 20, 1984. p. 13. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  87. Oppel, Tom (January 4, 1985). "Election-law differences arise". The Clarion-Ledger . p. 1. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  88. "Election group backs ward voting". Enterprise-Journal. Associated Press. September 30, 1984. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  89. Treyens, Cliff (October 20, 1984). "Panel backs automated voter sign-up system". The Clarion-Ledger . p. 9. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  90. Minor, Bill (September 16, 1984). "State voting rolls need updating". The Greenwood Commonwealth. p. 4. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  91. "Sweeping changes noted in state election laws". Enterprise-Journal. April 24, 1986. p. 11. Archived from the original on June 16, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  92. "Modified election law reviewed". The Clarksdale Press Register. April 28, 1986. p. 2. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  93. "State election reforms gain federal OK". The Clarion-Ledger . January 3, 1987. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  94. Harrison, Bobby (October 31, 2021). "Will lawmakers be willing to give up some of their power by restoring ballot initiative?". Mississippi Today. Nonprofit Mississippi News. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  95. "Molpus may seek Senate seat". The Greenwood Commonwealth. September 21, 1987. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  96. "Letters show Molpus prepared for race before Stennis' decision". The Clarion-Ledger . February 19, 1988. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  97. "Molpus Announces Bid For U.S. Senate Seat". The Newton Record. December 2, 1987. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  98. "Molpus will hold office as he runs for Senate". The Union Appeal. December 2, 1987. p. 2. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  99. "Dowdy Wins Easily, Prepares to Take on Lott". Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report. Vol. 46. 1988. p. 658.
  100. Moreland, Steed & Baker 1991, p. 103.
  101. "Molpus' debt third highest". Hattiesburg American . Associated Press. May 3, 1988. p. 5. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved June 17, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  102. "Lott's treasury brimming over". Hattiesburg American . Associated Press. February 3, 1989. p. 8. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  103. 1 2 "Mississippians Re-elect Republican Fordice". CQ Almanac. 1995. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  104. 1 2 3 4 Wilkie, Curtis (October 29, 1995). "Getting personal in Mississippi : Animosity appears to drive the campaign for governor". The Boston Globe (city ed.). p. 2.
  105. 1 2 Lamis 1999, p. 263.
  106. 1 2 Nash & Taggart 2009, p. 251.
  107. Harp, Lonnie (October 25, 1995). "Governor's race in Miss. pivots on education". Education Week. Vol. 15, no. 8.
  108. McEntee, Christopher (August 31, 1995). "Trends in the Region: Mississippi Bonds Will Endure Campaign". The Bond Buyer. p. 10. ProQuest   407402383
  109. Nash & Taggart 2009, pp. 252–253.
  110. Franklin, Brad (August 31, 1995). "Molpus refuses to resign post". Hattiesburg American. Associated Press. p. 10. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  111. Nash & Taggart 2009, p. 252.
  112. Nash & Taggart 2009, p. 253.
  113. 1 2 Edsall, Thomas B. (August 13, 1995). "Mississippi Turning: GOP Tide Rises on Racial Rift; Gov. Fordice Is in Vanguard of New South". The Washington Post (final ed.). p. A4. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  114. 1 2 Wilkie, Curtis (August 6, 1995). "Themes from a troubled past : At political fair in Mississippi, hard line on crime, charges of intolerance". The Boston Globe (city ed.). p. 2.
  115. 1 2 Sack, Kevin (November 4, 1995). "An Underdog Democrat Is Gaining in Mississippi". The New York Times. pp. A1, A12.
  116. 1 2 Nash & Taggart 2009, p. 254.
  117. 1 2 3 Lamis 1999, p. 264.
  118. George 2015, p. 190.
  119. Whitlinger 2015, p. 658.
  120. Dement 2014, pp. 244–245.
  121. "Timberland investment group founder seeks to increase diversity in natural resources". Mississippi State University. May 3, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  122. Ball 2006, pp. 17, 77–79.
  123. Whitlinger 2015, pp. 661, 664.
  124. 1 2 "Dick Molpus". Ole Miss Alumni Association. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  125. Gillette, Becky (December 18, 2006). "Molpus chairing board overseeing $200M timber endowment". The Mississippi Business Journal. Vol. 28, no. 51. p. 12. ProQuest   206582226
  126. "Molpus: Block voter ID". The Clarion-Ledger . April 7, 2012. p. 1A. Archived from the original on July 24, 2024 via Newspapers.com.
  127. 1 2 3 Smith, Slim (February 12, 2015). "With Stewart leaving Daily Show, Molpus recalls his '15 seconds'". The Dispatch. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  128. 1 2 3 4 "Jon Stewart apologizes to Dick Molpus". WAPT-TV. Hearst Television. February 27, 2013. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  129. Nave, R. L. (February 26, 2013). "Stewart Mans Up, Apologizes to Molpus". Jackson Free Press. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  130. Burns, Alexander (November 30, 2017). "No Accidental Candidate, Alabama Democrat Laid Path for Years". The New York Times . Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2022.

Works cited

Dick Molpus
Dick Molpus. 2025.jpg
Molpus in 2025
33rd Secretary of State of Mississippi
In office
January 5, 1984 January 4, 1996
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Secretary of State of Mississippi
1983, 1987, 1991
Succeeded by
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of Mississippi
1995
Succeeded by