"I was born in Fort Benning, Georgia. We moved to Hattiesburg when I was really young. My Mom raised three children without a husband. So, I am a product of a single parent household. I attended Rowan High School, Anacostia High School in D.C. and Hattiesburg High School. My graduating class at Hattiesburg High was the first totally intergraded high school class. I received an Associate in Arts Degree from Jones County Junior College, a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Doctor of Philosophy from Jackson State University.
I have served in several public service positions, including a member of the Hattiesburg School Board of Trustees, a member of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors and as mayor of the city of Hattiesburg. I am honored to have served as the first African American and the longest serving mayor of Hattiesburg.
I am also honored to have been elected as the Democratic nominee for Governor of Mississippi in the 2011 state elections.
I received my Mississippi Real Estate Brokers license in 1988, and operate Johnny DuPree Realty. My family also operates DuPree Transportation, LLC and DuPree Consulting, LLC. I am a life member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church and served as deacon for over 30 years.
I volunteer with the Boy Scouts Pine Burr Area Council and D.R.E.A.M. of Hattiesburg. I am a charter member of the Evening Optimist Club and a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. I am a life member of the NAACP, Jones County Junior College Alumni Association and Jackson State Alumni Association. Additionally, I a member of the University of Southern Mississippi Honor Club.
My candidacy has been endorsed by the AFL-CIO and Communication Workers of America (CWA).
My Wife, Johniece and I have been married for 46 years and have two daughters, April DuPree Taylor, Ph.D. (Coustaur) and Monica DuPree, Ph.D. We have two grandsons, Chandler DuPree Taylor and Chesney DuPree Taylor."
Why are you running for Secretary of State?
"The primary reason I am running for Secretary of State is to increase voter access and participation. There is a steady decrease in the number of eligible Mississippi citizens voting in local and state elections. According to a study conducted by MIT, Mississippi ranks 43rd in the United States for voting. I believe we can do better. Mississippi should be leading the nation in voting.
Mississippi, Louisiana and Kentucky hold gubernatorial elections the year before presidential elections. Data shows more people participate in presidential elections than in gubernatorial elections. For example, in Mississippi’s 2015 gubernatorial election, only 32% of eligible voters exercised their right to vote. However, the 2016 presidential election saw almost 53% of Mississippians’ exercise their right to vote. It is likely Mississippi could increase voter participation if both elections were held the same year.
Also, if Mississippi scheduled gubernatorial elections during the same year as presidential elections the state could save money. My county (Forrest) could save an estimated $500,000. Given these figures for my home county, can you imagine the cost savings across the state? Although increasing voter participation is the primary goal, reducing cost of elections---thus saving tax payer dollars---would be an additional benefit.
If we are to solve Mississippi’s pressing issues, the true will of the people need to be known. The true will of the people is not known when only one-third of the eligible voters participate.
Increasing access and participation will increase confidence in the process and the outcome of elections. I am running because there is a lot of work to do if we are going to improve voting participation. Because of my experience as a real estate broker, my experience serving on the Hattiesburg School Board, the Forrest County Board of Supervisors and my executive experience as Mayor of Hattiesburg, I believe I am the right person to become the next Mississippi Secretary of State."
