Jody DuPree, Former County Commissioner, Running Againt Rocky Ford In District 2
January 23, 2026 9:10 am | 3 min read
Jody Dupree, last night at the County Zoning Board, of
which he is a member. Columbia County Observer photo and
graphic.
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Former County Commissioner Jody DuPree is running against incumbent Rocky Ford in District 2. Mr. DuPree, last elected in 2008 and losing in the primary in 2012, is giving it another shot. He turned in his paperwork to the Supervisor of Elections Office last Friday.
District 2 includes the Town of Fort White and SW Columbia County. The County district map is here.
During his four years in office, Mr. DuPreee rubbed
many people the wrong way and wasn’t bashful in hiding
his opinions or his feelings. However, he made an effort
to dig into issues, uncover the facts, and explore ways
to save taxpayer dollars. See:
Columbia County's Westside Library Branch,
Com DuPree Asks: Keep it open or shut it down?
Earlier this week, your reporter spoke with Mr. DuPree about his decision to run, the past, and what he wants to do going forward.
We began with a general question of our times, a question with national implications, right down to the local level.
Observer: Are our elected representatives and the people they hire telling the truth?
Mr. DuPree: I think sometimes they are challenged. That's got to change.
Sliding under the County radar is Rocky Ford’s North Florida Water Utility Authority. Originally the brainchild of North Florida Professional Services, it morphed into the independent special district formed by Columbia and Suwannee Counties to combine both counties’ utility operations into one.
For most who know about it, it is seen as a mess, and its recent inability to advise Fort White residents of a Boil Water Advisory after a water main leak didn’t do anything to enhance its reputation. Current County subsidies are costing residents over a million dollars a year.
Observer: What do you think about the North Florida Water Utility Authority?
Mr. DuPree: The Utility Authority is a disaster. It is a joke.
Observer: What do you think about the Utility Authority labeling its subsidies — grants?
Mr. DuPree: It’s deception, pure and simple.
Observer: Have you heard anything about the Authority's funding?
Mr. DuPree: I'm being told that the County is using leftover grant money from the pipeline to subsidize the Utility Authority.
Observer: Do you believe that?
Mr. DuPree: Like I said, they are challenged. I'm running to make the County more transparent and to see that there aren't these kinds of questions anymore.
During his last tenure as County Commissioner (2008-2012), Mr. DuPree’s style of governance became an issue that played a part in his losing his run for reelection.
Observer: In your past incarnation as a Commissioner, there were a lot of people — let's say — who had difficulty with your style. What do you have to say about that?
Mr. DuPree: I understand that. But the Jody Dupree of 2010 is not the Jody Dupree of 2026. I am older, wiser, and a lot more mellow.
Observer: How is that?
Mr. DuPree: Look, I have grandkids now. Florida is growing — this area is growing. Columbia County is at the apex of North Florida growth. Of course, we need to look in the rearview mirror to see where we've been, but the important thing is to look ahead and plan for a future that is here now.
Observer: That sounds like a platform.
Mr. DuPree: Yup, sure does. Along with figuring out how to cut spending so we can reduce taxes and make Columbia County a place folks are proud of.
The cesspool
During a recent County Commission meeting, Commissioner Ford called Columbia County a cesspool. There was no public outcry about Mr. Ford’s characterization.
Observer: Recently, Commissioner Ford, who you are running against in District 2, said, "Columbia County is a cesspool." Where are you on that?
Mr. DuPree: Look, Commissioner Ford is an expert on cesspools. That is his business. He has been the Commissioner of District 2 going on eight years. He knows a cesspool when he sees one.
Mr. DuPree: My business is construction. I build new stuff. I have no problem cleaning up a mess, but my expertise is building for the future, and that is what I plan to do.
Final thoughts
Observer: Do you have any final thoughts?
Mr. DuPree: I need to hear from the voters and everyone else who has an interest in Columbia County. We need a collective vision to move the County forward. So, we need to listen, plan, and execute. The new and improved Jody Dupree is the person to do that.
Observer: Thanks for your time.
Mr. DuPree: You’re welcome.