Political Career

Jerry J. O’Keefe served as state representative for Harrison County from 1959-1964. He was named most outstanding freshman member of the House of Representatives for the 1960 legislature. This honor was posted in the newspaper, the “Jackson Daily News,” printed on “Monday, May 9, 1960.”<br />
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The article reads, “These four lawmakers were named as most outstanding members of the 1960 Legislature by news writers as the session ended this week. Rep. Charlie Jacobs, left, of Bolivar County, was named outstanding veteran member of the House of Representatives. He is chairman of the Ways and Means Com-Senate. Sen. Bill Caraway of Leland, third from left, chairman of the upper chamber’s finance committee, was named most outstanding veteran member of the Senate. Senator Bill Caraway of Leland, third from left, member of the finance committee and a leader in the fight against the controversial church property bill, was named most outstanding freshman member of the Senate. Rep Jerry O’Keefe of Harrison County, right, who led local option liquor forces in the House to near victory, was named most outstanding freshman member of the House. O’Keefe served as chairman of the temperance committee. – Daily News Staff Photos by Bob Pittman

Jerry J. O'Keefe named Outstanding Freshman Legislator

Jerry O’Keefe served as state representative for Harrison County from 1959 to 1964. During his time as representative he was chairman of the temperance committee that led the option to legalize liquor to near victory. For the 1960 Legislature, Jerry O’Keefe was named most outstanding freshman member of the House.

“Jerry O'Keefe, Mayor/ Biloxi. Jerry O’Keefe is the Chairman of the Board of Gulf National Life Insurance Company and Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home. He has recently turned over the day-to-day management of these companies to others in order to devote full time to seeking the office and serving as Mayor of Biloxi. Jerry O’Keefe was the youngest Marine Ace Fighter Pilot at the age of 19 during the Second World War. He graduated with honors from Loyola University. He has been named outstanding young man and outstanding citizen of Biloxi. O’Keefe served four years in the Mississippi State Legislature representing the Biloxi area and was named outstanding freshman representative.”

Jerry J. O'Keefe running for Mayor of Biloxi, MS

Jerry J. O’Keefe was elected Mayor of Biloxi without opposition in 1973 and re-elected in 1977. He served as mayor until 1981. Some of the projects accomplished during his tenure as mayor include Saenger Theater renovation, the ’76 Bicentennial Celebration, the building of the Biloxi Library Cultural Center, and the building of the Biloxi Commercial Harbor.

This newspaper article from the Daily Herald, dated Aug 30 1976, reads, "O'Keefe says city will not cooperate. Biloxi Mayor Jerry O'Keefe said Monday morning the city government does not plan to cooperate with the Ku Klux Klan. After his refusal to allow the Klan to hold a rally in International Plaza at Biloxi Saturday, the KKK moved to North Biloxi. O'Keefe told The Daily Herald Monday, "The city of Biloxi will continue to be uncooperative toward the Klan or any other group which breeds on hate and fear and cowardice. City-owned property cannot be used for any illegal purposes and the administration's position is clear and unchanging.""

O'Keefe refusal to allow Ku Klux Klan to hold a rally

Jerry O’Keefe was a staunch civil rights advocate. As mayor, he opposed the Ku Klux Klan in Biloxi by refusing them access to city venues for meeting. The result of this standoff was vandalization of his city office.