60% of H'burg Voters support DuPree - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jun 8, 2005

60% of H'burg Voters support DuPree

Date: Jun 8, 2005

Angeline wrote:

Only 39% supported Rowell. Did Shelby's support help bring down another "fine lady"? http://hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050607/NEWS/50608001

It was those d*amn faculty voting amass that swung the election.

Date: Jun 8, 2005

I am hearing a lot of venom from the Rowellites this morning. Apparently, they thought they had this one in the bag and are comparing the situation to last November when it looked like Kerry had it won big early, only to have it swing late for Bush. Regardless, DuPree will be the mayor for 4 more years, which means that SFT's ability to snatch grant money opportunities away from the City of Hattiesburg are limited. Also limited are SFT's opportunities to run roughshod over the real residents of Hattiesburg with respect to using Hattiesburg to better himself.

Date: Jun 8, 2005

Fit to Page wrote:

I am hearing a lot of venom from the Rowellites this morning. Apparently, they thought they had this one in the bag

If they thought they had this one in the bag, they need to get out of politics--they can't count.

Date: Jun 8, 2005

I sincerely hope the venom is not directed at USM faculty and staff. In my conversations (with lots of different people), I found the split to be about 50-50.

Date: Jun 8, 2005

One person's "venom" is another person's "disappointment" -- I do think one important factor in Ms. Rowell's loss was the lack of support from Mr. Davis. Not having lived in H'burg very long, I'm dim on how some of these connections work, but the Rep. primary was ugly and that would have hurt any Rep. candidate. Who did the Davis supporters vote for? How much of a factor was gender?

Also, someone commented to me that they never felt they knew who Rowell was as a person.

Date: Jun 8, 2005

I can assure you that some, possibly many, Davis supporters voted for Dupree. No one can make me believe that the rancid Hattiesburg First group didn't have full support and blessing of Rowell. I think I'd have even voted for O'Hara before I'd vote for Rowell after the stuff she and her supporters pulled, and that is saying a lot! "Unite Hattiesburg" indeed! LOL

Date: Jun 9, 2005

Reasons Dupree won:

1) Incumbent, that's big in any election, and it was here.

2) Perception: Despite the fact that he has proven in my mind to inept in city government, Dupree is well spoken, likeable and presents himself very well. I am not sure you can say the same for Rowell. She's not likeable, she comes across as smooth as 90 grit sandpaper, and always seems angry.

3) Republican flight. The GOP base in Hattiesburg has dwindled since the last election, they have moved to Lamar County, Petal, Covington County and Brooklyn.

4) Infighting: In the end Rowell couldn't unite the GOP in Hattiesburg, that is what delt the biggest blow. I suspect 80% of Senne's votes stayed home, and LJD's votes went like this 40% voted for Rowell, 40% stayed home and 20% voted for Dupree.

This was the GOP's last chance to elect a mayor in H'burg. It's over for them in the city limits now.

Date: Jun 9, 2005

Actually, I think Seeker's analysis has merit. As for the possibilities of another Republican mayor in the burg, well, one day folks may get tired of that long drive and move back into town. It worked for me. I use one tank of gas a month.