Mississippi Democrats Elect First Black Nominee for Governor

Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree won the Mississippi Democratic gubernatorial primary runoff on Tuesday. DuPree becomes the first Black candidate in modern times to win a major-party nomination for Mississippi governor in a state that "hasn't had a Black statewide official" since Reconstruction.

The Clarion Ledger:

DuPree, 57, who led in the Aug. 2 primary, defeated Clarksdale lawyer and businessman Bill Luckett, 63, in the Democratic runoff Tuesday, snagging 55 percent of the vote. He will face Republican nominee Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, as well as independent Will Oatis and a potential Reform Party candidate, in the Nov. 8 general election.

"I feel good," he said Tuesday night after the results were announced. "It's been a long (race), and I feel we were rewarded for a lot of hard work."

DuPree said he's aware of the milestone he has achieved in a state known for its difficult racial past, but he doesn't want to harp on it. "What we've been trying to express to people is a message," he said. "I don't think I have to focus on (race)."

DuPree became the first Black mayor of Hattiesburg when he was elected in 2001. DuPree is a business partner of actor Morgan Freeman, with whom he owns an upscale restaurant and blues club.

DupRee and his white opponent, Clarksdale businessman Bill Luckett, avoided personal attacks in the primary. Luckett promptly endorsed DuPree on Tuesday night, reports the Hattiesburg American.

Republican Gov. Haley Barbour could not seek a third term this year. Thankfully.

Comments

[Derrick from Philly]

Well, I certainly wish Mayor Dupree the best of luck (as well as the Black folks of Mississippi), but I'll never forget what happened in Louisiana about 25 years ago.

Louisiana was the last southern state where White Democrats outnumbered White Republicans. A Black man (whose I should Google) won the Democratic nomination for governor. At that time that would have meant an automatic victory for any Democrat EXCEPT he was Black. White Democrats deserted the party in droves and they voted for the Republican who won.

I know that 25 years is a long time ago (to the American mind), but we're talking about Mississippi, children.

And the irony is that Mississippi probably still has the largest percentage of Black folks in it than any state in the union, but also probably the most conservative White folks. STill, it's a wonderful event that Mayor DuPree won the nomination.

[Brien]

. . . and if he does win, I hope they'll allow him to govern. quite an accomplishment indeed.

[Chitown Kev]

Well, they did elect a black man mayor of Philadelphia, Mississippi, so who knows...

but, uh, yeah, I don't see him becoming governor of Mississippi

[bruh1911]

Thanks for picking up this story, Rod. I hope he will be able to garner some money from donors across the nation. He ran his primary race with just $400K, compared to the Republican who had $3 million. In spite of this, DuPree garnered more votes total than the Republican who was on a solo ticket.

-SN- I think Luckett is the biz partner to Morgan Freeman.