Prominent Coast attorney announces bid for Gulfport mayoral seat

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - Family, friends, and supporters gathered on the steps of Gulfport City Hall on Monday as longtime Mississippi lawyer and Coast community leader Hugh Keating formally entered the race for mayor. Keating announced his intent to run after Mayor and fellow Republican Billy Hewes, announced last spring that he would not seek a fourth term. “My vision is to see this area, downtown Gulfport, become a vibrant, walkable, commercial, retail, and residential community again like it once was back when I was growing up. We have a lot of good things in the pipeline.” The former President of the Mississippi Bar has been active in city redevelopment and crime commissions— two areas he says will serve as the pillars of his platform. “Economic development and public safety – those are the two foundational rocks which we want to build a strong, vibrant, and healthy city – which we have, but there is always room for improvement.” Two Democratic contenders, Sonya Williams-Barnes and Ronald Henderson, have already announced their candidacy for the seat and will face off in the party primary on April 1. Despite currently running unopposed on the Republican side, and with full support from Mayor Hewes, Keating says the mayoral seat is anything but a slam dunk when facing his democratic opposition. “I don’t take anything for granted, I never have,” Keating told WLOX. “Either you run scared or you don’t run at all if you are running for elected office. So, no. I’m not taking anything for granted. I’m going to do my best to reach out and be present in the communities all over the city. ”  Keating knows another Republican could enter the race as the deadline for filing for all city elections is January 31. The general election is June 3. Copyright 2025 WLOX. All rights reserved. Original Article: https://www.wlox.com/2025/01/14/longtime-mississippi-lawyer-community-leader-hugh-keating-enters-race-gulfport-mayor/

Hugh Keating, a well-known attorney along the Gulf Coast, has officially announced his candidacy for Gulfport mayor. Speaking in front of Gulfport City Hall, Keating addressed a crowd of supporters and outlined his vision for the city if elected. A central focus of his campaign is addressing Gulfport’s police officer shortage, which he believes can be resolved by engaging and recruiting from the younger generation. Additionally, Keating is prioritizing the enhancement of Gulfport’s downtown entertainment district, aiming to boost its appeal and vitality. Copyright 2025 WXXV. All rights reserved. Original Article: https://www.wxxv25.com/hugh-keating-announces-campaign-for-gulfport-mayor/

 (Gulfport, MS) – On Monday, January 13, Hugh Keating formally announced his campaign to be the next Mayor of Gulfport. At an announcement event, surrounded by family, friends and supporters, Keating talked about why he is running for Mayor, his background and plans to grow Gulfport in the future. At the event, Keating stated, “Gulfport has great things happening and great things in the pipeline. However, our citizens still have needs that require attention. The right kind of experience and leadership in the Mayor’s office is essential in order to recognize those needs and to implement plans and programs for reaching our goals. Gulfport has the potential to be the beacon of light for the entire State of Mississippi and the Gulf Coast region. Our diverse resources and strong and resilient people are unmatched. Yet, we are capable of so much more.” “To achieve our goals, we must cultivate and emphasize strategic economic capabilities and strengths. That means an increased focus on the blue economy—to make sure all things water-related are a major economic engine for Gulfport,” Keating stated. “Marine engineering, marine environmental research, shipbuilding, aquaculture, foreign and international trade through the State port and Gulfport-Biloxi Regional Airport, protecting and growing the seafood industry and our Mississippi Sound, promotion of tourism attractions, events and opportunities, as well as the technological support for everything else water-related, are essential to successful expansion of the blue economy. Improving City regulations and processes that impact economic development will allow more efficiency and growth.” “Growing our economy and improving our quality of life also means making sure our City provides the highest quality law enforcement possible to improve and maintain the public safety. Gulfport has an outstanding professional police force. One of the best, if not the best in Mississippi. But, we must grow our team of professional law enforcement to provide adequate protection for our citizens, expand outreach into our neighborhoods and to provide more programs that engage our youth. In 2011, Gulfport had 203 sworn officers on patrol, however, today, we’re below 150 officers. As Mayor, I’ll work to make sure we have enough trained and sworn patrol officers with the support and resources they deserve to keep all neighborhoods safe and to promote confidence in law enforcement throughout our city. Members of our law enforcement and first responders are our front-line ambassadors. Communications and improved community relations are vital to maintaining safe and secure neighborhoods and businesses. Heavy focus will be placed on recruiting and retention of police officers, as well as continuing to build strong community relations.” “Infrastructure is also a key to our City’s future economic development success so I’ll work hard on completing road-widening and improvement projects in the Orange Grove areas including Dedeaux Rd., Three Rivers Rd., Landon Rd. and the Commerce Parkway extension from Daniel Blvd.” Keating said. “The City has funding to help build the Commerce Parkway extension. When we open that corridor, it will be a game-changer for commercial development—tax base, sales tax, jobs and service sectors.” “I’ll work with our dedicated, professional city employees, City Council members, elected Federal and State officials, and non-profit organizations to find ways and means through grants and other resources, to improve housing in low to moderate income areas, to create programs to reduce homelessness, to improve blighted, urban renewal areas, commercial corridors along US 49 and Pass Road and to fund beautification programs across the City.” Keating said, “The first impression one forms upon arrival in our city when traveling south along US 49, or along Pass Road needs to be improved. Taking pride in our appearance and promoting programs to clean-up neglected or ignored properties and minimize homelessness throughout our city will have positive impacts on public safety, for businesses and economic development opportunities.” “We need to lay aside partisan labels. Our mission must be to improve our City for the benefit of all citizens. We will create a brighter future by working together. We’re not Republicans, we’re not Democrats, we’re citizens of Gulfport,” Keating stated. “We all want the same thing—the best quality of life in the City of Gulfport we can achieve in order to promote and encourage growth and prosperity in the present and for our children’s future. I want to use my background, skills, experiences and dedication to serve as your next Mayor. I will carry out my duties and responsibilities without partisan politics getting in the way. I will be a Mayor for ALL of the people of Gulfport. From West Gulfport to East Gulfport, from Orange Grove/North Gulfport to the Beach and all areas in between. I humbly ask for your support. Together, we can and will make a difference. Gulfport will become the beacon of light it is meant to be.” “Onward and Upward.”

With current Mayor Billy Hewes planning on stepping down after his third term, candidates have begun announcing their intentions to run for the office of Mayor of Gulfport in 2025. On Monday Sonya Williams-Barnes, a former member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, confirmed with WXXV that she intends to run for the seat of Gulfport Mayor. Along with her, Gulfport attorney Hugh Keating also confirming that he still intends to run in the 2025 election. Time is still left for other candidates to throw their hats in the ring but the filing period for municipal races is quickly approaching, beginning in January of next year. Party primaries will kick off at the beginning of April, with general elections set for June 3rd. Some Gulfport residents spoke on what remains important to them as we draw closer to the race for the seat of Gulfport Mayor. “They need to interact with the people because the people are the ones that put you in office. Get out, show your face, and show concern. That’s the main thing. Show concern, have compassion, have empathy with your people,” said Kenya Williams, a Gulfport resident. Source: WXXV - https://www.wxxv25.com/a-look-ahead-to-the-upcoming-gulfport-municipal-elections/

Two incumbent mayors on the Mississippi Coast have definitely decided against seeking re-election when four-year terms end June 30, 2025, while most incumbents tell the Sun Herald they’ll be running again. The mayor of Mississippi’s second-largest city, Billy Hewes in Gulfport, plans to call it quits after three terms. He’s spent 32 years total in public office, including 20 in the state Senate. “Candidly, I’m tired,” Hewes said. “This job has owned me and that’s typical with most mayors. It runs you. You don’t run it. It’s going to occupy pretty much every moment.” Hewes is ready to get back to more rock n’ roll with his band, Cut Bait. Not to mention wife Paula Hewes would like to see him around the office. The Heweses own the Hewes Agency insurance company and Billy Hewes Real Estate.... Read more: https://www.sunherald.com/news/politics-government/election/article289619200.html