Johnny DuPree

Last updated

Johniece DuPree
​
(m. 1972)​
Johnny DuPree
Johnny DuPree 2011.jpg
DuPree in 2011
Mayor of Hattiesburg
In office
July 2001 –July 3, 2017
Children2 daughters
Education Jones County Junior College
University of Southern
Mississippi (BS, MS)
Jackson State University (PhD)
Website Campaign website

Johnny DuPree (born November 18, 1953) is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who served as the first African-American mayor of Hattiesburg, Mississippi from 2001 to 2017. He was the Democratic Party nominee for Governor of Mississippi in 2011, [1] [2] the first African-American major party nominee for governor in Mississippi since the Reconstruction era. [3]

Contents

DuPree won the Democratic nomination for Secretary of State of Mississippi in the August 2019 primary, [4] but lost in the November 2019 general election.

DuPree was the Democratic candidate in Mississippi's 4th congressional district for the 2022 midterm elections. [5]

Early life and education

Johnny DuPree was born in Fort Benning, Georgia. As a small boy, he moved to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, with his mother, brother, and sister.

DuPree has bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a PhD from Jackson State University. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. [6]

Career

DuPree entered public service in 1987 when he was appointed to the Hattiesburg Public School Board. A year later, he and his wife established a small real estate business. In 1991, he was elected to the Forrest County Board of Supervisors, where he served for 10 years before running for mayor of Hattiesburg in 2001. [6]

Mayor of Hattiesburg

In 2001, DuPree became the first African-American mayor of Hattiesburg, after winning 53% of the vote. He was re-elected in 2005 and 2009. During his first campaign for mayor, DuPree ran on a platform of shoring up education and protecting small business. [7] At the time, Robert Ingram, the executive director of economic development at the University of Southern Mississippi, predicted that DuPree would support locally owned small business while also being active in industrial recruitment. [7]

Despite damage to the city resulting from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and a global recession in 2008, the health of Hattiesburg's small businesses remained steady during DuPree's tenure as mayor. Ingram's predictions for Hattiesburg under the DuPree administration were largely accurate. [8] In 2010, employment statistics showed Hattiesburg registering only 8.6 percent unemployment at a time when the rate in the state was 11.2 and the national rate was 11.1. [8] Also during DuPree's tenure as mayor, annual crime statistics released by the Hattiesburg Police Department showed a 10 percent overall decrease in reported crime since 2008. [9]

Response to Katrina

On the Sunday before Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, DuPree was invited to address the congregation of Mt Carmel Baptist Church, where he warned the congregation about the "devastation churning its way across the Gulf of Mexico." [10] In the aftermath of the storm, the city lost power and water for several days. [11] DuPree told residents to expect no tap water for one or two days, and no power for two weeks. [12] Due to the lack of a response from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the city under DuPree resorted to leasing essential equipment and goods on its own, items such as generators, which would normally be available through federal and state emergency services. [11]

Because of Hattiesburg's position as a regional hub and as the first major metropolitan area outside of New Orleans, the city was flooded with thousands of evacuees. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, DuPree's government worked to meet the needs of the displaced evacuees without assistance from federal agencies. [11]

In the weeks following Katrina, DuPree was a vocal critic of FEMA's inept performance and perceived indifference. Although the federal response to the Katrina disaster resulted in many high-profile accusations of racism, DuPree was among those who emphasized the role of income disparity. He also stated that "those charged with providing to those in need simply failed when called upon." [10]

Elections

In the Democratic primary of the 2011 Mississippi gubernatorial election, DuPree faced businessman and future Clarksdale mayor Bill Luckett and two minor candidates. Despite a significant fundraising disadvantage, [13] on August 23, 2011, DuPree defeated Luckett by 179,748 votes (43.6%) to 161,833 (39.2%). He lost to Republican nominee Phil Bryant in the general election on November 8, 2011.[ citation needed ]

In his 2013 mayoral re-election bid, DuPree faced fourth ward councilman Dave Ware, a Republican who ran as an independent, along with three minor candidates. In the June 4 election, DuPree was believed to be the winner by 37 votes out of over 9,600 cast, but concerns were raised about possible voter fraud, eligibility of some voters, and the fact that the city clerk left ballots unsecured in city hall the night before the election. Ware filed an election challenge on June 24, and a special judge was appointed by the state Supreme Court to hear the case. The jury initially found in favor of Ware in a 9–3 vote, the bare minimum for a verdict, however after Judge William Coleman polled the jurors, the count shifted to 8-4 and a mistrial was declared. [14]

After a new election was ordered, another dispute arose over choosing replacements for two election commissioners who resigned. Ultimately, a clean slate of commissioners was chosen to oversee the special election. On election day, one precinct's ballot box was returned unsealed and, despite state law stating boxes must be locked and sealed at the precinct, the ballots were counted anyway. In the end, DuPree again narrowly bested Ware, this time by a margin of 217 votes. [15] [16]

In 2017, DuPree was defeated in a bid for a fifth consecutive term as mayor, losing to Toby Barker, a Republican member of the state House of Representatives, who ran as an independent. [17]

In 2019, DuPree ran for Secretary of State of Mississippi and won the Democratic nomination in August. He lost the November 2019 general election to Republican candidate Michael Watson. [18]

In 2019, DuPree, a Democrat, entered the political arena by running for the position of Secretary of State of Mississippi. [19]

The Democratic primary process culminated in DuPree emerging as the party's chosen candidate, signifying his acceptance and endorsement by fellow Democrats. This marked a significant step forward in his political career as he aimed to serve as Mississippi's Secretary of State. [20]

Despite winning the Democratic nomination, DuPree faced strong competition in the November 2019 general election. His Republican opponent, Michael Watson, presented a formidable challenge. Ultimately, the general election results did not favor DuPree, and Michael Watson emerged victorious as the elected Secretary of State of Mississippi.

This electoral outcome showcased the democratic process in action, with voters deciding the candidate best suited for the responsibilities of the secretary of state position. [21]

In 2021, DuPree announced his candidacy for Mississippi's 4th congressional district in the 2022 midterm elections. [5] He lost to Mike Ezell. [22]

Personal life

DuPree has been married to Johniece since 1972. They have two daughters, April and Monica and two grandsons, Chandler DuPree Taylor and Chesney DuPree Taylor. As of 2011, his older daughter, April DuPree Taylor (Coustaur Taylor), worked at the Department of Communication at the University of South Alabama, and his younger daughter, Monica DuPree, was an educator in the Hattiesburg Public School District. [6]

Related Research Articles

A write-in candidate is a candidate whose name does not appear on the ballot but seeks election by asking voters to cast a vote for the candidate by physically writing in the person's name on the ballot. Depending on electoral law it may be possible to win an election by winning a sufficient number of such write-in votes, which count equally as if the person were formally listed on the ballot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phil Bryant</span> American politician (born 1954)

Dewey Phillip Bryant is an American politician who served as the 64th governor of Mississippi from 2012 to 2020. A member of the Republican Party, he was the 31st lieutenant governor of Mississippi from 2008 to 2012 and 40th state auditor of Mississippi from 1996 to 2008. Bryant was elected governor in 2011, defeating the Democratic nominee Mayor Johnny DuPree of Hattiesburg. He was re-elected in 2015, defeating Democratic nominee Robert Gray.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of Mississippi</span>

The Government of Mississippi is the government of the U.S. state of Mississippi. Power in Mississippi's government is distributed by the state's Constitution between the executive and legislative branches. The state's current governor is Tate Reeves. The Mississippi Legislature consists of the House of Representatives and Senate. Mississippi is one of only five states that elects its state officials in odd numbered years. Mississippi holds elections for these offices every four years in the years preceding Presidential election years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Mississippi gubernatorial election</span>

The 2011 Mississippi gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2011. Incumbent Republican Governor of Mississippi Haley Barbour was unable to run for a third term due to term limits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 United States gubernatorial elections</span>

United States gubernatorial elections were held in four states in October and November 2011, with regularly scheduled elections in Kentucky, Mississippi, and Louisiana; and a special election in West Virginia. None of these four governorships changed party hands, with Democratic incumbents Steve Beshear and Earl Ray Tomblin winning in Kentucky and West Virginia, respectively; and Republicans re-electing Bobby Jindal in Louisiana and holding the open seat in Mississippi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States Senate election in Mississippi</span>

The 2012 United States Senate election in Mississippi was held on November 6, 2012, alongside the 2012 U.S. presidential election, other elections to the United States Senate in other states, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Roger Wicker won re-election to his first full term, while 92 year-old Albert N. Gore was the Democratic nominee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Mississippi</span>

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Mississippi were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, and elected the four U.S. representatives from the state of Mississippi. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election and an election to the U.S. Senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 United States Senate elections</span>

The 2018 United States Senate elections were held on November 6, 2018. Among the 100 seats, the 33 of Class 1 were contested in regular elections while 2 others were contested in special elections due to Senate vacancies in Minnesota and Mississippi. The regular election winners were elected to 6-year terms running from January 3, 2019, to January 3, 2025. Senate Democrats had 26 seats up for election, while Senate Republicans had 9 seats up for election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Mississippi gubernatorial election</span>

The 2015 Mississippi gubernatorial election took place on November 3, 2015, to elect the governor of Mississippi. Incumbent Republican governor Phil Bryant ran for re-election to a second and final term in office. This is the highest percentage that a Republican has ever won in a gubernatorial election in Mississippi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Mississippi</span>

The 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Mississippi were held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 to elect the four members of the United States House of Representatives from the state of Mississippi, one from each of the state's four congressional districts. The elections coincided with other elections to the United States Senate and House of Representatives and various state and local elections, including a Senate election in Mississippi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States Senate elections</span>

The 2020 United States Senate elections were held on November 3, 2020, with the 33 class 2 seats of the Senate contested in regular elections. Of these, 21 were held by Republicans, and 12 by Democrats. The winners were elected to 6-year terms from January 3, 2021, to January 3, 2027. Two special elections for seats held by Republicans were also held in conjunction with the general elections: one in Arizona, to fill the vacancy created by John McCain's death in 2018; and one in Georgia, following Johnny Isakson's resignation in 2019. These elections ran concurrently with the 2020 United States presidential election in which incumbent president Donald Trump lost to Democratic nominee Joe Biden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Mississippi elections</span>

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Mississippi on November 3, 2015. All of Mississippi's executive officers were up for election. Primary elections were held on August 4, 2015, with primary runoffs to be held on August 25, 2015 if no candidate received a majority in the primary. The filing deadline for primary ballot access was February 27.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toby Barker</span> American politician

Toby Barker is an American politician and the current Mayor of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. In 2007, he was elected a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from the 102nd District. At the age of 25, Barker became the then-youngest legislator elected in Mississippi's history. He is a former member of the Republican Party. In 2017, Barker ran as an independent and defeated four-term incumbent Johnny DuPree to become Hattiesburg's 35th mayor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rocky De La Fuente</span> American businessman and perennial candidate (born 1954)

Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente Guerra is an American businessman and politician. A perennial candidate, De La Fuente was the Reform Party nominee in the 2016 and 2020 United States presidential elections. He also appeared on his own American Delta Party's presidential ticket in 2016, and on those of the Alliance Party and American Independent Party in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Britton</span> American politician

Sam Britton is a former Republican member of the Mississippi Public Service Commission representing the Southern District, serving one term from January 2016 to January 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Mississippi elections</span>

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Mississippi on November 5, 2019. All executive offices in the state were up for election. The primary election was held on August 6, 2019, and runoff elections were held on August 27, 2019. Although the Democrats came close to winning the governorship, they ultimately failed to do so. In addition, they lost the sole statewide office they have held since 1878: the Attorney General.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Louisville mayoral election</span>

The 2018 Louisville mayoral election was the fifth quadrennial Louisville Metro mayoral election, held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. The Democratic ticket of incumbent mayor and businessman Greg Fischer was elected to his third and final term. He defeated the Republican ticket of engineer and former Louisville Metro Councilwoman Angela Leet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Watson (Mississippi politician)</span> American politician

Michael D. Watson Jr. is an American politician and the incumbent Secretary of State of Mississippi. A Republican, he previously represented the 51st district in the Mississippi State Senate from 2008 to 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Mississippi</span>

The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Mississippi were held on November 8, 2022, to elect the four U.S. representatives from the state of Mississippi, one from each of the state's four congressional districts. The elections coincided with other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Mississippi gubernatorial election</span>

The 2023 Mississippi gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2023, to elect the governor of Mississippi. Incumbent Republican governor Tate Reeves won re-election to a second term, defeating Democratic nominee, Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley.

References

  1. 1 2 "Sweet Victory For First Black Mayor Of Hattiesburg, Ms". Jet. 2001. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011.
  2. ↑ The Associated Press (August 24, 2011). "Johnny DuPree wins Mississippi Democratic gubernatorial runoff". gulflive. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  3. ↑ Emily Wagster Pettus (August 24, 2011). "Miss: 1st black modern major-party nominee for gov" . Retrieved August 24, 2011.[ dead link ]
  4. ↑ "DuPree wins Democratic nomination for secretary of state; Britton falls in primary". WDAM 7. August 6, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  5. 1 2 Corder, Frank (November 11, 2021). "Democrat Johnny DuPree enters 4th Congressional District race". Y'all Politics . Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 "About Johnny DuPree". Archived from the original on September 26, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  7. 1 2 Gillette, Becky. "Mayor-elect says small business economy's 'backbone'." Mississippi Business Journal 23, no. 27 (July 2, 2001): 16.
  8. 1 2 "Healthcare, education, military stirs economy » Mississippi Business Journal". Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Djournal.com - Major crime in Hattiesburg down 10 percent". Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  10. 1 2 Adderton, Donald. "In Katrina's Aftermath, don't forget Mississippi" Herald News (September 6, 2006):d04
  11. 1 2 3 Conan, Neal, and Robert Smith. "Hurricane Katrina Coverage." NPR News Special Coverage 3:00 AM EST NPR. NPR, 9 3, 2005.
  12. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/image/279247444/?terms=%22Hurricane%20Katrina%22 DuPree says power may be out two weeks Hattiesburg American, August 31, 2005, p. 4.
  13. ↑ "Johnny DuPree wins historic Miss. nomination". CBS News.
  14. ↑ Blinder, Alan (July 31, 2013). "Mistrial in Mississippi Case Over Mayoral Election". New York Times. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  15. ↑ "2nd biggest event of 2013: The Hattiesburg Mayoral election controversies". WDAM-TV. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  16. ↑ Doherty, Tim (October 18, 2014). "Election investigation results in 7 misdemeanor charges". Hattiesburg American. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  17. ↑ Burns, Haskel (June 6, 2017). "Barker defeats DuPree, 2 new council members elected". Hattiesburg American. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
  18. ↑ "The Latest: Watson wins secretary of state's race | State | mdjonline.com". Archived from the original on November 6, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Mississippi Secretary of State election, 2019 (August 6 Democratic primary) | BallotPedia".
  20. ↑ Mississippi Independent. "Mississippi Secretary Of State".
  21. ↑ WLox. "AP declares Michael Watson wins Mississippi Secretary of State".
  22. ↑ "Republican Mike Ezell takes decisive win in Mississippi's 4th congressional district".
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of Mississippi
2011 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Charles Graham
 Democratic nominee for Secretary of State of Mississippi
2019		Succeeded by
Shuwaski Young
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.