Five candidates running for Hattiesburg mayor

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Last Friday was the deadline to turn in qualifying papers to city hall to run for Hattiesburg's mayor.

As of Friday five people are running for a chance at the mayor seat.

1. Mayor Johnny DuPree (D)

2. State Representative Toby Barker (I)

3. Shawn O'Hara (I)

4. Catherine Starr (D)

5. Tom Garmon (D)

FOX 23 spoke with two out of the five candidates. Mayor Johnny DuPree said, "We live in America, everybody has an opportunity to try their hand at public service, I think that uh, everybody has gift.”

“This is a campaign for everyone, and no matter where I have gone in the city, and no matter who I have talked to, there is great concern with the challenges we face" said Rep. Barker.

Garmon is the Founder and Writer of a local online news source. Both Garmon and Starr filed on Friday right before the deadline.