By JIM BUTLER
Rich Dupree, citing a change in the state law that impacts Pineville’s next scheduled city election date, has decided to remain in the mayor’s post until October 20.
Dupree announced his intentions in correspondence to City Council members today. It follows:
To the Pineville City Council:
Today is scheduled to be my last day in the Office of the Mayor. My original decision to resign was heavily influenced by my desire to restore harmony in this administration and move the City beyond the recent distractions and attacks we have all endured.
I originally targeted October 6th, with a view toward the scheduled 2026 Mayor’s election, because it would allow you, the City Council, to fill the vacancy for the remainder of my term and, thus, avoid the need to call a special election next spring.
This would save the expense of a special election and give all interested candidates a fair opportunity to run for the seat in a full election cycle as scheduled 18-months from now and not endure two elections for Mayor in a year’s time frame.
Simply put, I firmly believe that the waters need to calm before another election, and I have complete confidence in your ability to select an interim Mayor who will serve that objective and continue to move Pineville forward.
As you are aware, we recently learned from the Secretary of State that the new legislation establishing closed primaries will move the date of the 2026 election by a couple of weeks.
Thus, I have decided to change my effective resignation date from October 6th to October 20th. I will tender my formal notice to the Secretary of State on Friday, October 18, 2024.
Even beyond that date, know that I will always be available to answer any questions and ensure a smooth transition going forward.
The Pineville mayor announced his resignation Sept. 24.
Dupree, two years into a four-year term he won by a five-vote margin, had recently admitted a sexual encounter with a then-city employee, an admission that became public knowledge as a result of an EEOC filing by her.
The details created the basis of abundant public and private complaints that followed.