JACKSON – Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree was defeated Tuesday by Phil Bryant in his run for Mississippi’s next governor. DuPree, 57, won a Democratic primary runoff and advanced to the Nov. 8 general election to face off against Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, 56, of Brandon.
The results, with 97% of precincts reporting:
Bryant (R) 502,881 61%
Dupree (D) 321,257 39%
Dupree is his third term as mayor of Hattiesburg.
Dupree became the first black candidate in modern times to win a major-party nod for Mississippi governor in a state that reportedly hasn’t had a black statewide official since the Reconstruction.
Bryant will take office Jan. 10 to succeed Republican Haley Barbour, who couldn’t seek a third term as governor.
The 56-year-old Bryant makes history as the first Republican to succeed another Republican as Mississippi governor in modern times.
Barbour unseated a one-term Democrat in 2003.
Bryant outspent DuPree 7-to-1, and the two nominees avoided criticizing each other during the campaign.
Republicans have held the Mississippi Governor’s Mansion for four of the past five terms.
– More state and local election results will be posted as they are received on www.mississippilink.com
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