Toby Barker announces plans to run for Hub City mayor
Rep. Toby Barker of Hattiesburg announced on Thursday his intention to run for mayor in this year's municipal elections.
"Hattiesburg is a dynamic place to live strengthened by the diversity, ideas and talent of its people," Barker said in a news release. "Though we have our challenges, I believe these challenges are opportunities for us to come together and work toward a positive future built on quality education, state-of-the-art infrastructure and strong neighborhoods in every part of the city."
Barker currently serves as the Republican representative for District 102, which covers central Hattiesburg. The 35-year-old was first elected to the Legislature in 2007 and began his first term in January 2008.
Barker previously served as director of the Southern Mississippi Business Assistance Center.
A resident of Hattiesburg since 2000, Barker earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications and a Master of Science in economic development from the University of Southern Mississippi. In 2015, he earned his Master of Healthcare Leadership from Brown University.
According to his website, Barker serves as chairman of the House Performance Based Budgeting Committee. His other committee memberships include the Appropriations, Apportionment & Elections, Education, Medicaid, Public Health & Human Services and Technology committees.
“Toby Barker understands the potential that we have in Hattiesburg,” said Joe Paul, chairman of the Toby Barker Campaign, in the release. “He not only values diversity, he celebrates it, seeing it as a strength rather than a wedge that might divide us. He is a man that can pull this city together and help us realize a better vision for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren.”
According to the Mississippi Secretary of State's website, the qualifying period for this year's municipal elections opened Jan. 2. The deadline to qualify is 5 p.m. March 3 for party primary and independent candidates for municipal office.
The primary election will be May 2, followed by a primary runoff May 16 if necessary. The general election will be June 6.
In early March, Mayor Johnny DuPree announced his intentions to run for a fifth term. DuPree, who has not yet qualified for the election, was first elected in 2001.
DuPree to run for re-election in 2017
"What motivated me to run (this year) is the same thing that motivated me to run the first time — I feel like there's some things that need to be accomplished here in the city," DuPree, a Democrat, said in an earlier story. "This is a place that I love dearly, and I felt that I had something to contribute, and I still feel the same way.
"If you look around the city, we have things still going on, many projects that we've just started, and in my head and heart, I would like to attempt to get those completed. We have so much going on right now, and I still enjoy what I do."
As of this week, no candidates have filled out qualifying paperwork at City Hall for the mayoral race.
To learn more
For more information on the mayoral campaign, visit www.johnnydupree.com or www.tobybarker.com.