Bob Dearing
Member of the Mississippi Senate
In office
January 20, 2016 – January 7, 2020
Preceded byMelanie Sojourner
Succeeded byMelanie Sojourner
Constituency38th district (1980–1981)
37th district (1981–2012; 2016–2019)
In office
January 1980 – January 2012
Succeeded byMelanie Sojourner (37th district)
Personal details
Born(1935-01-26)January 26, 1935
Natchez, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedJuly 30, 2020(2020-07-30) (aged 85)
Natchez, Mississippi, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseShelley Paige Ditzler
Children3
Alma materDelta State University (BS)
University of Southern Mississippi (MEd)
Signature
Military service
Branch/service United States Army
Mississippi National Guard
Years of service1958–1964

Robert Montgomery Dearing (January 26, 1935 – July 30, 2020) was an American politician, educator, and businessman who served in the Mississippi Senate as a member of the Democratic Party.

Dearing grew up in Natchez, Mississippi, and graduated from Delta State University and the University of Southern Mississippi. In the 1970s he became active in politics with unsuccessful campaigns for a seat on the Adams County Board of Supervisors. In 1979, he was elected to the Mississippi Senate until he was defeated by Melanie Sojourner, but Dearing would later defeat Sojourner and decided to not run for reelection.

Early life and education

Robert Montgomery Dearing[1] was born on January 26, 1935, in Natchez, Mississippi, to Weenonah Montgomery and Robert V. Dearing.[2] He graduated from Natchez High School. From 1958 to 1961, Dearing served in the Mississippi National Guard, from 1961 to 1962, he served in the United States Army, and served in the national guard again from 1962 to 1964.[3]

From 1953 to 1957, he attended Delta State Teachers College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in education, and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a master's degree in school administration in 1965. From 1958 to 1964, he taught and coached in the Natchez public school system and was an elementary principal from 1965 to 1966.[2]

In 1966, Dearing was named as Outstanding Young Man of the Year by the Natchez Jaycees.[4] In 1997, Dearing was named as the Outstanding Alumnus of 1997 by Delta State University.[5]

Dearing married Shelley Paige Ditzler, with whom he had three children.[6]

Career

Local politics

In 1971, Dearing ran for a seat on the Adams County Board of Supervisors from the 2nd district, but was defeated by A. Boyd Sojourner.[7] He was defeated by Sojourner again in 1975.[8] (Sojourner's granddaughter Melanie Sojourner would later defeat Dearing in the 2011 election for the state Senate.)[9] In 1981, he was elected to a three-year term on the Delta State University Foundation Board of Directors.[10]

Mississippi Senate

Elections

The 37th district from 1991 to 2001

On August 7, 1979, Dearing won the Democratic nomination for a seat in the Mississippi Senate from the 38th district and won in the general election.[11][12]

In 1983, he won reelection against Republican nominee Jack Templeton in the 37th district.[13] In 1987, he won reelection.[14] In 1991, he won reelection without opposition.[15] In 1995, he defeated Charles Ravencraft in the Democratic primary and Republican nominee Erle Drane in the general election.[16][17] In 1999, he defeated Scott Pintard in the Democratic primary and won reelection without opposition in the general election.[18][19] In 2003, and 2007, he won reelection without opposition.[20][21]

During the 2011 elections Dearing started with no money in his campaign war chest as the $5,800 he raised during 2010 was spent by the end of that year.[22] In the general election he was defeated by Republican nominee Melanie Sojourner.[23]

In 2015, Dearing ran against Sojourner and narrowly defeated her with 8,218 to 8,154 votes.[24] Sojourner claimed that there were illegalities and irregularities with the election and attempted to have the Mississippi Senate vote to seat her instead of Dearing. On January 18, 2016, the Mississippi Senate voted 47 to 3 to seat Dearing and he was inaugurated on the same day.[25][26]

On January 3, 2019, Dearing announced that he would not seek reelection.[27] Sojourner won in the election to succeed Dearing and took office on January 7, 2020.[28]

Tenure

In 1984, Dearing was appointed to serve as the vice chairman of the Corrections committee.[29] In 1988, he was appointed to serve as the chairman of the Municipalities committee.[30] In 1992, he was appointed to serve as the chairman of the Forestry committee.[31] In 1993, he was appointed to serve as chairman of the Fees and Salaries committee.[32] In 1996, he was appointed to serve as chairman of the Environmental Protection, Conservation and Water Resources committee and as a member of the Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review committee.[33] In 2000, he was appointed to serve as the chairman of the Highways and Transportation committee.[34] In 2004, he was appointed to serve as the chairman of the Oil, Gas and Other Minerals committee.[35]

In 1997, Dearing was appointed to the Southern States Energy Board by Lieutenant Governor Ronnie Musgrove.[36]

During the 2008–2011 session of the Mississippi Senate, he served on the Economic Development, Finance, Highways and Transportation, Insurance, Public Health and Welfare, Oil, Gas and Other Minerals, and Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks committees.[37] In 2016, he was appointed to serve as the vice chairman of the Public Property committee.[38]

Death

Dearing died in Natchez, Mississippi, on July 30, 2020, at the age of 85.[2] On August 8, he will be buried in the Natchez City Cemetery.[1]

Political positions and legislation

In 1980, Dearing was one of four state senators, including Ed Ellington, Wayne Burkes, and Howard Dyer, to receive a 100% rating from the League of Women Voters.[39] In 1984, he wrote a resolution, which was unanimously supported by the Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives, requesting CBS to not cancel The Mississippi, a television show which was filmed in Natchez.[40][41] On January 16, 1997, the Mississippi Senate voted 38 to 12, with Dearing in favor, in favor of Motor Voter legislation.[42]

Animals

In 2006, Dearing introduced legislation, which was passed by the legislature, that would amend Mississippi's animal cruelty law to include cats as the current law only criminalized cruelty against dogs.[43][44] During his tenure in the Mississippi Senate he proposed legislation that would make animal cruelty a felony offense on the third instance, as under the current law only dog fighting or intentional poisoning could be punished with felony charges.[45]

In 2010, Dearing introduced legislation that would prohibit deer hunting with dogs in the Homochitto National Forest, but the legislation died in the Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks committee.[46][47]

Gambling

In 1990, Dearing introduced legislation that would allow riverboat gambling along the Mississippi River. On February 2, the Mississippi Senate voted 23 to 21 in favor of the legislation, and the House Ways and Means committee voted to advance the bill on February 22.[48][49][50] On March 7, the Mississippi House of Representatives voted 66 to 52 in favor of an amended version of the legislation which was approved by the Mississippi Senate, by a vote of 22 to 20.[51][52] On March 20, Governor Ray Mabus signed the legislation into law and riverboat gambling became legal in Mississippi on April 1.[53][54]

Religion

In 1987, Dearing co-sponsored a resolution asking for the United States Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to allow prayer in schools.[55]

On March 30, 1994, the Mississippi Senate voted 41 to 9, with Dearing in favor, in favor of legislation that would allow prayer at school and school events only if the prayer was initiated by students.[56]

Taxation

In 1990, Dearing, Barbara Blanton, Buddy Bond, and Bill Renick introduced legislation that would increase the sales tax from 6¢ to 7¢ and use the 1¢ increase to pay for an education reform bill. The Mississippi Senate voted 28 to 22 in favor of the legislation.[57]

On March 6, 1995, the Mississippi Senate voted 30 to 15, with Dearing against, in favor of a constitutional amendment that would prohibit courts in Mississippi from forcing tax increases.[58] During the 1995 elections the ballot initiative, under the name Amendment Number One, was approved.[59][60]

In 2006, the Mississippi Senate voted 36 to 15, with Dearing voting in favor, in favor of legislation that would raise the cigarette tax from 18 to 75 on July 1, 2006, and then to $1 on July 1, 2007. The legislation also decreased the 7% sales tax on groceries by 2.5% on July 1, 2006, then by 1% on July 1, 2007, and then by 0.5% every year until 2014.[61] However, Governor Haley Barbour vetoed the legislation. On March 29, the Mississippi Senate voted 29 to 20, with Dearing voting in favor, in favor of overriding Barbour's veto, but was four votes short.[62]

Electoral history

1983 Mississippi Senate 37th district election[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bob Dearing (incumbent) 9,050 87.95%
Republican Jack Templeton 1,240 12.05%
Total votes 10,290 100.00%
1995 Mississippi Senate 37th district Democratic primary[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bob Dearing (incumbent) 11,756 72.59%
Democratic Charles Ravencraft 4,438 27.41%
Total votes 16,194 100.00%
1995 Mississippi Senate 37th district election[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bob Dearing (incumbent) 11,448 66.06%
Republican Erle Drane 5,881 33.94%
Total votes 17,329 100.00%
1999 Mississippi Senate 37th district Democratic primary[18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bob Dearing (incumbent) 9,495 69.19%
Democratic Scott Pintard 4,229 30.81%
Total votes 13,724 100.00%
2003 Mississippi Senate 37th district election[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bob Dearing (incumbent) 18,288 100.00%
Total votes 18,288 100.00%
2007 Mississippi Senate 37th district election[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bob Dearing (incumbent) 14,722 100.00%
Total votes 14,722 100.00%
2011 Mississippi Senate 37th district election[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Melanie Sojourner 10,272 51.14%
Democratic Bob Dearing (incumbent) 9,814 48.86%
Total votes 20,086 100.00%
2015 Mississippi Senate 37th district election[24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bob Dearing 8,218 50.20%
Republican Melanie Sojourner (incumbent) 8,154 49.80%
Total votes 16,372 100.00%

References

  1. 1 2 "Robert Montgomery Dearing obituary". Clarion-Ledger. July 31, 2020. p. 14. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 "Former Sen. Bob Dearing dies at 85". The Natchez Democrat. July 30, 2020. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Education and military". Enterprise-Journal. September 13, 1992. p. 5. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Dearing to be honored at DSU homecoming Sat". The Clarksdale Press Register. October 17, 1997. p. 5. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Sen. Dearing named outstanding alumnus". Enterprise-Journal. October 15, 1997. p. 4. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Former Mississippi Sen. Bob Dearing dies at 85". WJTV. July 30, 2020. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  7. ↑ "1971 election results". Clarion-Ledger. August 5, 1971. p. 28. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "1975 election results". Clarion-Ledger. August 27, 1975. p. 14. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ Guajardo, Rod (February 20, 2014). "Southwest Mississippi Legislators: Sojourner willing to serve Miss. citizens". The Natchez Democrat. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  10. ↑ "To DSU Board of Directors". The Enterprise-Tocsin. November 13, 1980. p. 20. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "13 incumbent state legislators are unseated (date of primary)". Hattiesburg American. August 9, 1979. p. 29. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.;"13 incumbent state legislators are unseated (Bob Dearing district)". Hattiesburg American. August 9, 1979. p. 32. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Winners by district in legislative races". Clarion-Ledger. November 8, 1979. p. 32. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. 1 2 "1983 election results". Clarion-Ledger. November 9, 1983. p. 14. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "1987 election results". Clarion-Ledger. November 5, 1987. p. 5. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "1991 election results". Clarion-Ledger. September 15, 1991. p. 97. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. 1 2 "1995 primary results". Clarion-Ledger. August 9, 1995. p. 8. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. 1 2 "1995 election results". Clarion-Ledger. November 8, 1995. p. 14. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. 1 2 "1999 primary results". Enterprise-Journal. August 4, 1999. p. 7. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "1999 election results". Clarion-Ledger. November 3, 1999. p. 10. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. 1 2 "2003 election results" (PDF). Secretary of State of Mississippi.
  21. 1 2 "2007 election results" (PDF). Secretary of State of Mississippi.
  22. ↑ "Fundraising: Several lawmakers have under $10K". Enterprise-Journal. February 4, 2011. p. A002. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. 1 2 "2011 election results" (PDF). Secretary of State of Mississippi.
  24. 1 2 "2015 election results". Secretary of State of Mississippi.
  25. ↑ "Senate rejects Sojourner challenge, seats Dearing". Clarion-Ledger. January 18, 2016. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Sen. Bob Dearing sworn in". Clarion-Ledger. January 20, 2016. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Senator Bob Dearing decides not to run for re-election". The Natchez Democrat. January 4, 2019. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Lawmakers set to take oaths, start new term". The Greenwood Commonwealth. January 7, 2020. p. A10. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ↑ "Corrections vice chairman". Clarion-Ledger. January 13, 1984. p. 8. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ↑ "Municipalities committee". Clarion-Ledger. January 19, 1988. p. 10. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ↑ "1992 committee chairmen". Hattiesburg American. January 10, 1992. p. 10. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ↑ "1993 committee chairmen". The Clarksdale Press Register. January 7, 1993. p. 2. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ↑ "1996 committee chairmen". Clarion-Ledger. January 6, 1996. p. 19. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ↑ "2000 committee chairmen". Clarion-Ledger. January 13, 2000. p. 5. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ↑ "2004 committee chairmen". Enterprise-Journal. January 18, 2004. p. 10. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ↑ "Dearing appointed to Southern Energy Board". Enterprise-Journal. May 28, 1997. p. 16. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ↑ "Bob M. Dearing Committee Assignments 2008 to 2011". Mississippi Encyclopedia of Law. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  38. ↑ "2016 committee chairmen". Hattiesburg American. January 26, 2016. p. A4. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ↑ "League of Women Voters ratings". The Greenwood Commonwealth. August 21, 1980. p. 4. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ↑ "Senate urges to keep TV show". The Clarksdale Press Register. February 4, 1984. p. 2. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ↑ "Legislature asks CBS to keep series". Enterprise-Journal. February 7, 1984. p. 11. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ↑ "Motor voter law passed by Senate". Enterprise-Journal. January 17, 1997. p. 4. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ↑ "Cruelty to cats, custody focus of bills". Enterprise-Journal. February 2, 2006. p. A001. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ↑ "Cat cruelty passed". Enterprise-Journal. February 12, 2006. p. A002. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  45. ↑ "Animals: Alleged acts not felonies". Clarion-Ledger. January 8, 2010. p. 11. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ↑ "Bill would ban Homochitto deer dogs". Enterprise-Journal. February 7, 2010. p. A015. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  47. ↑ "Homochitto deer dog ban fails". Enterprise-Journal. March 4, 2010. p. A001. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  48. ↑ "Natchez senator drafts river gambling bill". The Clarksdale Press Register. December 19, 1989. p. 9. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. ↑ "Senate approves bill that would legalize gambling on riverboats". Clarion-Ledger. February 3, 1990. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ↑ "Riverboat gambling clears panel". The Clarksdale Press Register. February 23, 1990. p. 2. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ↑ "Riverboat gambling still afloat after house fight; new roll of the dice possible". Clarion-Ledger. March 8, 1990. p. 15. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  52. ↑ "Second Senate Vote". Hattiesburg American. March 15, 1990. p. 12. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  53. ↑ "Riverboat gambling bill signed by Mabus". The Clarksdale Press Register. March 21, 1990. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  54. ↑ "Riverboat gambling, legal today, churns up questions". Clarion-Ledger. April 1, 1990. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  55. ↑ "33 senators back resolution to allow prayer in school". Clarion-Ledger. March 20, 1987. p. 17. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  56. ↑ "Senate sends school prayer bill to Fordice". Enterprise-Journal. March 31, 1994. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  57. ↑ "Senate votes sales tax hike for education". Clarion-Ledger. March 2, 1990. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  58. ↑ "Senate OKs anti-tax proposal". Enterprise-Journal. March 7, 1995. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  59. ↑ "Proposed Amendment No. 1". The Clarke County Tribune. November 1, 1995. p. 7. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  60. ↑ "State voters say no to mandated term limits". Hattiesburg American. November 8, 1995. p. 11. Archived from the original on August 1, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  61. ↑ "Cigarette tax and grocery sales tax". Enterprise-Journal. January 8, 2006. p. A001. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  62. ↑ "Senate fails to override tax veto". Enterprise-Journal. March 30, 2006. p. A001. Archived from the original on August 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
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