The first African American mayor of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Johnny DuPree was also the longest serving mayor of that city. DuPree was born in Fort Benning, Geogia to poor, illiterate parents who separated when he was young. At the age of eight his mother moved to Hattiesburg with Johnnie and his siblings. Johnnie attended local schools and after high school graduation enrolled in the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Political Science. Later he was awarded a PhD in Urban Studies from Jackson State University.
DuPree worked for Sears and Roebuck in department stores for 15 years after completing his education. He then left Sears and, with his wife, started Du Pree Reality. In 1987 he was appointed to a position on the Hattiesburg Public School board. In 1991 he ran for a position on the Forrest County Board of Supervisors. He won that election and served as a county supervisor for ten years.
In 2001 DuPree entered the race for mayor of Hattiesburg. He won the general election; garnering 53% of the votes cast. He was re-elected in 2005 and 2009. As mayor he supported education and fought to assist the creation and expansion of small businesses in the community. In 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast causing massive damage to cities and towns along the coastal region, many of their residents fled inland to Hattiesburg to find shelter. DuPree and Hattiesburg responded much faster than FEMA, the federal agency charged with assisting those impacted by the hurricane. Under DuPree’s direction the city of Hattiesburg leased essential equipment and bought goods to assist those who evacuated to the city. DuPree was praised for his fast response. As mayor DuPree was a fiscal conservative who concentrated on service efficiency rather than increased taxes.
In 2011 DuPree announced his candidacy for Governor of Mississippi. He won the Democratic primary, but lost to Republican Phil Bryant in the general election. Two years later the incumbent mayor ran against Dave Ware in the mayoral race. It was announced the DuPree won the election by 37 votes. However, his opponents alleged voter fraud prompting a court to order a new election. DuPree won the second election by a margin of 217 votes.
By the mayoral election of 2017 DuPree had been the longest serving mayor in Hattiesburg history. In that year, however, he was defeated by challenger Toby Barker a Republican member of the Mississippi House of Representatives.
Johnny DuPree’s legacy is evident in Hattiesburg to this day. During his tenure as mayor over $30 million in federal and state funds were award to the city for low-income housing and infrastructure development. DuPree established the Mayor’s Financial initiative which has granted over $5 million to assist low- and moderate-income families. The Hattiesburg Behavioral Court, the Youth Leadership Council, and the Employee Health Clinic were created during his time as mayor.
In 2019 DuPree ran for the position of Secretary of State of Mississippi. He won the Democratic primary but lost in the general election to Michael Watson. In 2022 DuPree ran unsuccessfully for Congress from Mississippi’s 4th district.
Johnny DuPree was 19 when he wed 17-year-old Johniece in 1972. They have two daughters, April DuPree Taylor, and Monica DuPree. He has two grandsons: Chandler DuPree Taylor and Chesney DuPree Taylor.
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“Biographical Data Mayor Johnnie L. DuPree, Ph.D.,” House.Gov,https://docs.house.gov/meetings/PW/PW02/20170518/105980/HHRG-115-PW02-Bio-DuPreeJ-20170518.pdf
“Johnnie DuPree,” National Civic League, https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/board/johnny-dupree/
“Johnnie DuPree,” Ballotpedia,” https://ballotpedia.org/Johnny_DuPree
Ronni Mott, “Johnnie DuPree,” https://www.mississippifreepress.org/johnny-dupree-2/
