Upcoming Mississippi Democratic Trust reception packs impressive host list

This coming Tuesday, the Mississippi Democratic Trust will hold a reception at Hal & Mal's in Jackson from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  The host list is quite impressive, and includes former Governors William Winter and Ronnie Musgrove, Congressman Bennie Thompson, Attorney General Jim Hood, former Secretary of State Dick Molpus, former Attorney General Mike Moore, former Congressman Travis Childers, Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Rickey Cole, Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley, Moss Point Mayor Aneice Liddell, and over two dozen current and former legislators.

Here's a copy of the invitation:

Rep. Bennie Thompson: "I am standing with Mayor Johnny DuPree"

In a big announcement earlier today, Congressman Bennie Thompson announced his endorsement of Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree in the Democratic gubernatorial primary over Clarksdale businessman and attorney Bill Luckett.  Here is the full text of the announcement email:

Dear Matt,

I have known Johnny DuPree for over 20 years. During this time, I have witnessed his steadfast commitment and passion for service during his tenure as a Forrest County Board Supervisor and as the Mayor of Hattiesburg. I believe this relentless spirit will prove to serve the people of Mississippi well.

As Congressman of Mississippi’s Second Congressional District, I have traveled throughout Mississippi and have encountered Mississippians of all walks of life. I have met citizens who are struggling to find work, are dissatisfied with the state of our failing educational system, and are concerned about the future of healthcare and Medicaid. Mississippians are in need of a capable leader to move Mississippi into a posture for progressive change. Mayor Johnny DuPree is the competent candidate able to bring about this change.

Johnny exhibited his ability to recruit businesses to our state when he helped recruit a multimillion dollar corporation to Hattiesburg that will add over 1,000 jobs for Mississippians, and he has demonstrated fiscal responsibility by not raising taxes during the ten years that he has been mayor of Hattiesburg.

Mayor Dupree epitomizes what determined and pragmatic leadership should be and will help Mississippi realize its full potential by bringing equal access and opportunities to all Mississippians.

Johnny DuPree has always stood beside me, and I am standing with Johnny DuPree.

Please vote for Johnny DuPree for Governor of Mississippi on Tuesday, August 2nd.

Sincerely,

Bennie G. Thompson
Member of Congress
United States House of Representatives, (MS-02)

Is Greenville Mayor Heather McTeer Hudson really running against Rep. Bennie Thompson?

It certainly appears so. MajorityInMS.com broke the story yesterday. Rep. Thompson is enormously popular in MS-2, and running against him appears to be a suicide mission. Rep. Thompson has given no indication whatsoever that he is not seeking a 9th term. A 2nd District legislator, when asked to evaluate Mayor Hudson's move against Rep. Thompson was not kind.

Thinking through this, perhaps Mayor Hudson has been given some sort of signal by Rep. Thompson that he's not running for reelection. Back in February, Mayor Hudson announced that she would not be seeking a third term as mayor. Speculation was rampant that she was looking at running for the Democratic nomination for Lt. Gov., but her filing papers never appeared on deadline day. Turns out that nomination would have been hers if she'd wanted it as other potential candidates, like former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, begged off at the last minute. So does that mean that she got some sort of tip from Rep. Thompson that she needed to forego the Lt. Gov. race and qualify for MS-2? I doubt it, as Rep. Thompson has been, as MajorityInMS.com put it, raising money like he needs it.

This will be interesting, I'm sure. Stay tuned....