The Attacks Have Begun!

Statement

Its quite clear that both my Democratic opponent and the Mississippi Republican Party feel threatened by my candidacy for Governor, as evident by their unjustified criticism of my plans to improve Mississippi's education system.

Since we announced Phase 1 of the Mississippi Education Restructuring Program, which includes $85 million in tax breaks for public school teachers and parents, my Democratic primary opponent has talked about why we shouldn't do it. And the Mississippi Republican Party released a web ad talking about why we shouldn't do it.

But, there are two things neither one of them said.

First, they didn't say it was a bad idea.

And second, neither of them said what we should do.

I didn't get into this race to talk about what we shouldn't do and why other people's ideas are bad ones. I got into this race to talk to the voters about the problems we face and to talk about our plans to fix those problems. That's why we've hosted Jobs and Education forums across this state for three months.

And that's what MERP represents. It represents a real plan of action to help recruit and retain the best teachers, to help parents pay for the rising cost of public education and to help revive our local economies by pumping $85 million back into the pocketbooks of hard-working Mississippians.

Undoubtedly, the plan is a good one. We've received praise after praise from teachers, business people and parents. The only ones who seem worried about our plans are our opponents.

The people of Mississippi don't have time for politics as usual, and I'm not interested in playing politics at all. I'm interested in putting forth bold ideas and working with every stakeholder on any given issue to solve our problems.

If you want that kind of leadership from your next governor, then I ask you to go online and help us win on August 2. Please make a contribution of $25, $50, $100, $500, $1,000 or whatever you can make. Any amount that you contribute will be greatly appreciated

Finally, I ask that you forward this email to four of your friends. Ask them to take a look at our plan for public education and let them decide.

Together, we can leave the politics of the past behind. Together, we can Make Mississippi First.

Sincerely,

Johnny L. DuPree
Democratic Candidate for Governor

P.S. Please continue to learn more about MERP as I announce the remaining phases in the following days. I want you to be the first to know about this plan and what it means for Mississippi.

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