DuPree Ready for Debate!

Press Release

Mayor Johnny DuPree today said he is excited about tomorrow's debate and the opportunity for voters to see the differences between the Democratic candidates for governor.

"As Democrats, we agree on a lot of things, but there are also issues where we don't agree and different ways that we would approach leading the state," DuPree said. "I think it's important that voters get to hear from us, see what each of us has to say, see how we differ and then be able to make an informed choice on who they want to be the Democratic nominee for Governor."

Sam Hall, campaign manager for DuPree for governor, said those differences have become increasingly clearer as the campaign has moved forward.

"The mayor has made strong commitments to finding solutions to early childhood development even when the state may not be able to fund it right away. Now it seems that our opponent has started saying those same things. We're glad he's coming around to our way of thinking," Hall said.

Hall said that the mayor has also taken strong stands on Voter ID and charter schools. In forum after forum the candidates are asked about Voter ID and charter schools, and Mayor DuPree has been the only consistent Democrat with his message.

"The mayor will uphold the laws of Mississippi, whether he agrees with them or not, but he feels that Voter I.D. is a solution in search of a problem and that it flies in the face of the constitutional right of everyone to cast an unencumbered vote," Hall said. "Our opponent says he's "on the fence'. Unfortunately, leaders can't be on the fence. They have to take stands on issues."

Hall also said Mayor DuPree is not for using state funds for charter schools.

"We need to focus on the schools we have and use the money we have to fix them," Hall said. "Charter schools are successful if you have hundreds of millions of dollars and are focused on high population areas, but that's not what we have in Mississippi. We have limited funds and a rural population."

Hall said the mayor's opponent started the campaign championing charter schools but has backed off that stance after meeting with some educators.

"You couldn't hear him give an education speech without hearing his praise for charter schools, but the last few weeks he has started to waffle on that stance," Hall said. "I'm not sure why the change took place, but I know what meetings we all had the week he changed his tune. Mayor DuPree's message has been consistent from the start."

Mayor DuPree is serving his third term as mayor of Hattiesburg. Prior to that he served three terms as a member of the Forrest County Board of Supervisors and one term as president of the Hattiesburg School Board. He is a former president of the Mississippi Municipal League. Mayor DuPree is also a small business owner and real estate agent.

For more information about the DuPree for Governor campaign, please contact Campaign Manager Sam R. Hall at sam@johnnydupree.com or visit http://www.johnnydupree.com.

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