In 1987, DuPree was elected to the Hattiesburg Public School Board. After being elected in 1991, he served for ten years on the Forrest County Board of Supervisors. In 2001, DuPree was elected Hattiesburg mayor. He held that office until 2017. DuPree was Hattiesburg’s first African American mayor. His tenure was also the longest of any Hattiesburg mayor. In 2011, he was the Democratic nominee to be governor. DuPree graduated from Jones Junior College and University of Southern Mississippi. Jackson State University gave him his doctorate in urban studies. He teaches at USM a course in social welfare policy analysis and policy. He is also the owner of Johnny DuPree Realty, Johnny DuPree Consulting, LLC, and DuPree Transportation, Inc. DuPree has been married to Johniece for 46 years. They have two daughters, April DuPree (Coustaur Taylor) and Monica DuPree. Also, they have two grandchildren, Chandler and Chesney.